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You’ve sent your story off to be edited and are waiting eagerly (or not) for the manuscript to be returned. You get it back and, once you’ve gotten over the surprise at the number of corrections and comments, you start going through them. Everything is going well until …
You come across a comment you just don’t agree with.
Now what? After all, this is the editor that made this comment. You hired them to free your manuscript of errors and to provide feedback and suggestions on how to improve. Surely they know better, don’t they?
These things do happen. In every manuscript, there will be some suggestions that you simply don’t agree with. When you’re a new author, this can be daunting and fill you with doubt. But with the right mindset, this can be something that grows you as an author.
Here are some things to keep in mind as you work through your editor’s comments and corrections.
Know the Difference between Corrections and Suggestions
Corrections address errors. “ ‘Straightforward’ is one word” or “Copenhagen is in Denmark, not Holland” are corrections. These should be heeded as the editor is hired to correct errors. Exceptions would be if you deliberately included the error as a part of the plot, for example landing your Dutch-speaking characters in Denmark and leaving them to deal with the consequences.
Suggestions are things the editor noticed that are not technical errors but, for whatever reasons, detract from the story. Excessive description, too little description, too much action, too little action, awkwardly phrased sentences, and so on are all things that an editor might mention. They will often provide suggestions or ideas to encourage you to rewrite or delete whatever they have marked. These are things that are your call. You are free to accept as many or as few as you like. You are also free to reject all suggestions purely because they are not correcting errors in your writing. It is, after all, your story.
Accept the Corrections
Corrections should be accepted. At the copyediting and proofreading stage, this involves accepting corrections of spelling, punctuation, and grammar. If your editor worked with Microsoft Word’s Track Changes feature, then this is a fairly straightforward process of accepting the corrections. Now, as tempting as it would be to hit that “Accept All Changes” button, don’t. If you go through each correction and try to understand why it was wrong and why the correction was made, you will learn ways to improve your writing and write clean drafts.
There’s another reason why it isn’t advisable to accept all changes indiscriminately. You might have deliberately included an error that the editor, not knowing your thinking, corrected. Accepting all changes without going through them means that you lose the opportunity to learn and that you lose that “mistake” that you had intentionally included.
At substantive editing levels, corrections from your editor will probably involve more rewriting for you. Again, corrections should be implemented. This is another opportunity for you to learn more about the craft of writing, meaning that you will be able to write better books in the future. Ignoring the corrections made by an editor is throwing away a wonderful opportunity to learn.
Consider the Suggestions
Remember the definition: suggestions are things the editor noticed that are not technical errors but, for whatever reasons, detract from the story. There will likely be suggestions the editor makes that you simply don’t agree with, just as there will probably be suggestions the editor makes that you just don’t like.
First, take a step back. You need to distance yourself from the emotion at this point. Yes, I know it’s hard. Yes, you’ve poured more than just time and effort into this book—you’ve included a part of yourself in it. But take a step back. Leave that comment for twenty-four hours. Come back to it later with fresh eyes. And at least give the editor the courtesy of considering that their suggestion may have merit.
You may find that in taking some time before addressing the suggestion, particularly if it’s one you don’t like, you will come to either admit that their suggestion is one you should implement or lead you to reject it. Occasionally, however, their suggestion might lead to more questions. You might realize that they have a point but have no idea how to go about it, or you might not understand where they are coming from.
Reach Out to the Editor
If you come across a suggestion or correction you simply don’t understand, contact your editor via their preferred communication method. Let them know that you have some questions and ask if they would be willing to answer them. If they agree, find out how they would like to do this. Maybe you can reply to comments they made on the manuscript and add some of your own. Perhaps they would prefer you to compile an email listing your questions.
Some editors charge per hour worked. This means that they might charge you for responding to questions you have. In that case, you need to weigh the cost against not learning and discovering more. If you feel that the cost is not worth it, then thank your editor for their time and say that you have decided to pass. If you feel that the cost is worth learning more, let them know that you would like to continue and find out when they want the manuscript with your questions and comments back (if that is the method they choose to work with).
Now, just a note: your editor is not going to judge you for the questions you ask.
Read that again.
Editors are professionals. They work with manuscripts all the time. They see the good, the bad, and the ugly.
They have also worked with authors right across the skill spectrum.
When it comes to answering your questions, even if they seem silly, editors don’t mind. That question answered is a question you won’t need to ask in the future. It is a lesson you have learned, a skill you have gained. And they know it.
Don’t Take It Personally
There will more than likely be some editorial comments that you dislike. When that happens, take a step back. Go do something else. Get a cup of tea. If need be, come back tomorrow. But don’t react immediately. Your editor had a reason for making the suggestion they did, and it was not to make you look or feel silly. An editor’s goal is to help you bring your book baby into the world in the best shape you can possibly make it. Sometimes, that requires being honest.
“This character is not needed.”
“This part is dragging.”
“This scene is slowing the story down.”
These comments are not aimed at you. Nor are they necessarily aimed at your book. Rather, like a teacher who has to tell you that little Johnny has been incessantly teasing the girls in his class and that something needs to change, these comments are aimed at removing things that could make your story less enjoyable.
An editor’s end goal is to help you, the author, craft the strongest story you can. Their suggestions are aimed at doing this.
Lastly, You Are the Author
It is your name that will be on the cover, not the editor’s. What this means is that ultimately, readers won’t grumble at your editor if they notice inconsistencies or spelling mistakes or if they stumble into the giant plot hole you ignored. They’ll grumble at the author. Yes. You.
This also has a positive side. When a reader comes across a brilliantly written description or a particularly witty piece of dialogue, they won’t applaud the editor. They’ll applaud you.
When you approach the editor’s comments with this in mind, it changes how you look at the them. You are free to accept or reject every suggestion or correction made by them (note that this may be different if you are being traditionally published). You are the one in the driver’s seat. You can treat your editor’s comments like suggestions from a seasoned navigator, guiding you toward your goal, or you can approach them like the annoying backdrop of noise produced by back-seat drivers. But however you approach your editor’s corrections and suggestions, remember that at the end of the day, you are the one who will receive the praise for a well-written book or the criticism for one that contains errors.
However you choose to handle your editor’s corrections and suggestions, approach them as an opportunity to learn. Take time before accepting or rejecting their comments, especially the ones you don’t like. If you have questions, reach out to your editor and ask. Above all, remember that your editor is trying to help you produce the best book you can.