Author Dies While Reading Edited Manuscript
Such a headline might well echo the feelings an author experiences when, much to his horror, he discovers his editor has–ahem–done some pretty creative work on the manuscript sent into the publishing house. (An ailment commonly referred to as over-editing.) The palpitating heart, the churning stomach, and the aching head that can accompany such a revelation leave the author wondering, What do I do now? Let’s explore options.
Let’s Put Editing in Its Context
First let me say that most editors are conscientious about not violating an author’s creative efforts but instead strive to clarify and elucidate through any changes made. And some authors have thick skins when it comes to the editing process and usually agree to what the editor thinks is best.
But what if, when you read your edited manuscript, you’re confused by some changes, frustrated by others, and downright upset by still others?
The Over-Confident Writer
I’ve been on both sides of this fence. I still can recall decades ago, as an editor, having a conversation with an author about changes I’d made in his manuscript. Our phone conversation began with his telling me the comma corrections I had made in the first sentence should not be made. I pointed out the sentence had been punctuated incorrectly. He didn’t believe me. I told him I would find the punctuation rule in a grammar book and send the reference to him. He still wasn’t convinced, and I decided we had better move on to the more substantial changes I had made in the manuscript.
Instead he moved on to the second sentence of the manuscript, in which I had made another minor change. I explained the grammar rule that had been violated in his writing. Once again he was unimpressed.
That’s when I realized he was going to challenge every jot and tittle that had been edited. He saw me as someone who was over-editing his manuscript. So I decided to bring a bit of reality into the situation. I asked, “Do you believe your manuscript is inerrant, perfect and without flaw?”
“Yes,” he replied. He was serious! That book never was published because the author wouldn’t allow any changes in the manuscript.
The Overly-Sensitive Writer
I’ve also been on the other side of the fence, that of the author. When I received the edited manuscript for one of my books, I was so appalled by the severity of the edit that I crawled into bed and stayed there for two days. I couldn’t figure out how to approach the editor with such a long list of changes I disagreed with.
On the Other Hand
In contrast to my in-bed-all-day response, one of my clients a few weeks ago told me, “I’ve made an important discovery about myself. I’m not so much a writer as I am an editor. I love the editing process; I don’t actually like to write.” What an important insight. It explained the agonies she goes through to get that first draft. And why she so enjoys working with an editor to clean up that draft.
That doesn’t mean she isn’t sensitive to over-editing. Oh, yes, she’s experienced that and recognized it for what it was.
What’s an Author to do?
If you feel that you’ve been over-edited, start out by knowing your rights.
How can you determine that? Most contracts specify what is appropriate for a publishing house to change. Here’s some typical wording: “The Publisher shall have the right to edit and revise the manuscript; provided, however, that such editing or revision shall not materially change the meaning, or materially alter the text of said Work without the Author’s consent. Editing to correct infelicities of expression, misstatements of fact, misquotations, errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, and editing to make the Work conform to the Publisher’s style of punctuation, capitalization, and like details shall not be considered materially changing the manuscript.”
Over-Editing or Not?
Okay, so we have guidelines as to what is an appropriate change and what isn’t. The author who didn’t think I should change the punctuation and grammatical errors in his manuscript was operating outside the boundaries he had agreed to when he signed the contract.
On the other hand, the editor of my manuscript had added several examples to my manuscript to illustrate points. If I didn’t agree to those additions, I contractually had a right to say I wanted them removed.
What to Do About Over-Editing
What did I do? I remembered what I, in my role as an editor, had often told authors who questioned why I had made a certain change. “I made the change for a reason. If you don’t like the way I changed it, let’s talk about why I made it. I’m very open to seeing an alternate way to solve the problem I found.”
In that spirit, I went to work on reinstating my sense that this was my manuscript and talking with the editor about how to make the manuscript all it could be. It turned out to be a win-win situation. And I didn’t die from the malady called “the editing process.”
How do you decide when to speak up about editing on your work? Do you enjoy the revision process?
TWEETABLES
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Ah, to be at odds with my editor! It would mean have a publisher and a contract. Therefore, this problem would be an answer to my prayers.
For now, I have a critique group. Sometimes their suggestions don’t match my vision. At first, I was offended. But it tells me that my vision wasn’t clear. It’s my call to revise my words, find a better example or add some backstory. Thank you, Janet, for this reminder to be humble, to ask and to listen.
Knowing how to respond to critiques is a great lesson to take into your future publishing relationships, Shirlee.
What amazing extremes in editing! Editing with my publisher has been fairly painless and I was given clear reasons for the changes required. Reasons such as if I have a beloved pet eaten by a bear … the story is no longer romance! I may have gotten carried away there trying to up the danger level. Don’t worry, I saved the dogs lives and the story was fixed because of it. The more in depth edits have happened with my talented critique partner and I have learned over the years that yes, those manuscripts might bleed red ink, but man are they better in the end. Well worth the pain!
Unless you’re writing a horror or thriller novel, no precious pets must perish in the telling of the story, right!? Lesson learned thanks to your lending a listening ear to suggestions.
I proudly sent my manuscript
in for its review,
and got it back, like really rifpped
to shreds, and something new
had usurped my pride of place,
my careful-crafted paragraphs;
frowns were turned to Happy Face
and tears replaced my laughs.
I railed and roared and stamped my feet,
I retreated straight to bed
with a cup of whiskey (neat)
and it entered, then, my head
that while His edits to my life seemed flawed,
they were yet writ by Hand of God.
Ah, the best editor ever…
Thank you especially, dear Janet, for these words: “When I received the edited manuscript for one of my books, I was so appalled by the severity of the edit that I crawled into bed and stayed there for two days. ”
Being in a critique group has helped me recover faster from edits. I read them. Sleep on them. 🙂 And then get back to work.
I only speak up about (or ignore parts of a critique) when a suggested edit doesn’t make sense to me. I enjoy improving a manuscript when I understand the why behind the red marks.
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac
Wendy, I did eventually learn, as a writer, to pay attention to the “why” behind the edits. That’s the very best way to learn!
Editing is done to make the manuscript more “saleable.” If publishing is our goal as writers, then editing is that final “polishing” the work may need.
My editor pointed out areas that could be problems. She suggested alternatives; I took the time to understand what her objections were, and why she would make them. I then went in and made a compromise solution. We were both happy, and the manuscript is better for it. If we writers view Editors as our teammates and not our adversaries, we can go a long way towards our goal of publication.
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One of my clients, a few weeks ago, said, “I’ve made a significant revelation about myself, in contrast to my in bed all day answer.
As one going though the edit process this was a great piece