A lot of work has gone into my upcoming book, Cedar Ridge, and I actually just started on a second revision, much to the dismay of those close to me. Their problem is that I’ve been working on this one manuscript for over a year, and when they ask how it’s going (a dreaded question if there ever was one), they expect to hear that I’ve nailed down a publish date, or at least that I’ve finished writing the book. But I haven’t been able to give either answer, at least yet. When my best friend asked the question recently, I told her that I had torn my story apart—again—after consulting with a developmental editor, who recommended some extensive revisions. She was silent for a moment, then asked, “Oh. How do you feel about that?” I think she was more offended by the editor’s input than I was, lol.
I have decided the thick skin I’ve developed when it comes to my work is one of the better attributes I possess for making me a good author. Of course I want people to love what I write, drink my stories in like they can’t get enough. But I think more than that, I want to write good stories that will have that effect on readers. Do you see the difference? One is me putting my work out there and expecting people to rave over it. The other is me collaborating with professionals who can help me turn a story idea into a book that’s unputdownable and makes you check my website frequently to see when my next novel is coming out.
Having freelanced for so many years, I’ve worked with thousands (okay, tens) of editors. Some have been kind; others, not so much. Naturally, I responded well to those who tactfully gave feedback in a constructive voice, and together we created thousands (that number is accurate in this context) of articles that were good, even great. But the feedback from the snotty, condescending editors was valuable in its own way. It made me want to respond in a more professional manner than they were dealing with me, and it made me want to revise my work until they couldn’t find anything wrong with it. I’m happy to report I accomplished that every time, and it set me up perfectly to deal with criticism. If it makes the finished piece great, bring it on.
My experience has also shown me that opinions are so completely subjective. A few times, I’d start out working with one editor who completely tore my work to pieces, then get assigned to another editor who loved what I had and would steer the piece back toward the original version. What’s more, I personally have been influenced by loads of positive reviews to read books that I ended up disappointed in, and I’ve also avoided books based on negative reviews only to find, after reading them later, that I really liked the stories.
The point is, everyone has different tastes, different opinions. Hearing them can be helpful, but it’s not guaranteed. More and more, I come across stories of people who were subjected to negative feedback, from pretty authoritative sources. A drama professor told Adam Sandler he needed to abandon acting. An editor told Jerry Jenkins his writing was crap. An established novelist told Robyn Carr she should give up writing and find something she had an actual talent for. A critique group member pushed Jami Albright’s manuscript away in disgust, declaring she couldn’t do anything with it. And we’re all familiar with the more well-known stories of how authors like Kathryn Stockett and J.K. Rowling went through dispiriting, difficult times trying to get their books published because the first few hundred agents and publishers declared that the Help and Harry Potter wouldn’t sell.
In the end, (and, yes, I’ll make this the end!) it’s all opinions, and you know what they say about opinions. But, I promise, I’m working hard on making my stories as great as they can be. Hopefully, everyone will like ‘em. But, if some don’t, that’s okay, too. 😉
