Authors suffer for their work. Yes, I said suffer.
Edits suck. If you are a new writer, you must go into edits expecting your story--yeah, the one you think is damn near perfect?--Well, it's going to be chewed up, torn apart and then put back together again. And just when you think it's over, there is round two...and three...and who knows how many more. All I know from experience is just when you think it's over, it's not. Sound negative? Nope. There is a reason I'm telling you this. If you haven't gone through it, then I'm preparing you. If you have...I see you nodding. Grin.
Guess what? Your book isn't going to be perfect until you go through editing. (Not to mention everything else involved in the publishing process.)
Be ready for it.
Be receptive, yet keep your writer's voice. If there is something you don't understand, ask. Don't take edits personally. If there is something you really believe shouldn't be changed, explain where you are coming from. Don't just dig in your heels and say no. There's no guarantee they will agree with you, so be ready for that too.
Most of all, (and I know this is hard) try to remember that you all want the same thing. A fantastic book.
Yes, edits suck, but they're well worth the hair pulling, discouraging feelings and re-writing. Why? Because after you go through the intense process, your book is better for it. To top it off, you leave a stronger and more experienced writer.
You also leave with the hope that maybe, just maybe, edits won't suck so much next time.
Anyone have anything to add?
