Because the marketplace is so difficult, many agents work with their clients on their manuscripts prior to submitting them to publishing houses. A project has to be near-perfect in order to attract an editor, so it’s important for the agent and author to work together to get the manuscript as good as it can be. A hands-on agent is a good one. I think I’ve got a great one… actually, two… and frankly, I’m taken aback at how much time Chelsea and Maria have devoted to THE REAL STORY, first reading the original mss, and then my revision (from chronological order to thematic order) in its entirety, after which the two of them had “a long chat” about how to make the story “even more phenomenal.”
With editing, each new revision sheds light on a new set of issues, and the process begins again. Relationships shift. Different scenes come under sharper scrutiny. Tensions change, and like a guitar, some strings need to be tightened. The best part, however, is that my agents feel the new order is working. This is a major accomplishment for me. The bad news is… well, I guess there isn’t any. Not as far as I can see. That’s not to say that there aren’t suggestions for revisions!
The ideas Chelsea and Maria have involve rewriting three major scenes, no small task, but they make sense because I’d half-considered them at one point or another, but in my uncertainty, left things as is. That’s one of the reasons I’m so excited about their suggestions—they definitely mesh with my way of thinking. The manuscript is moving in the right direction, and even though some good lines and dialogue will be lost, what I gain will hopefully be worth it.
Chelsea made a great suggestion that I chart a timeline of each scene and when they take place (what year or phase in the narrator’s life) to make sure those scenes with the greatest impact and propelling force, in terms of the story arc, are given the most attention. I’ve already started on this, and it’s helped me immensely. If you’re working on a novel, I strongly recommend this.
Her detailed email ended with lots of praise and hopes that I don’t feel overwhelmed by revisions. I don’t. Clearly, there’s work to do, but in truth, I can’t wait to get started. Half of that comes from the certainly in knowing what it is I need to do. The other half comes from trusting I can do it. This is one of the biggest changes I’ve seen in my attitude since graduating from the MFA program– confidence.
To that end, I went out this evening and treated myself to a new, ergonomic mesh chair for my desk. It was pricey, but worth it.
Good luck. Writing a whole book is so intimidating to me – I can barely blog!
When my poetry editor suggested I write a book, he said “It’s easy. Write 12 chapters and introduce a new character each chapter.” I knew he was being silly, but once the seed was planted, I had to try it. That’s all I did. Try.
Your blog is terrific fun, btw.
Hi Linda! I am loving these posts. Very helpful and interesting. Encouraging,as well, to a fellow Stonecoast student about to graduate. I turned to writing short stories when I found that the novel I had started was way to unwieldy and the tensions poorly defined and chronologized. At this point, I feel more ready to tackle such a large project.
I have to agree about the confidence issue. I used to be wholly reluctant to remove scenes and passages from a piece of work, even if I saved them elsewhere. I realize now that I was not confident that I could produce something just as good next time around. At this point I know I can, and I will just get better and better. It reminds me of something an old friend said to me, when I was an undergrad struggling with an essay. I thought I was deficient somehow, because I just could not seem to get that A.
She said, “Mihku, it’s a skill. You learn it by doing it over and over.”
Oh, and congrats on the chair. I comfy chair is EVERYTHING. Love your spine, I always say. It holds you up.
Yes, that’s exactly what it is that holds us back when editing: reluctance and the fear you can’t write anything better! Well said. Just the same, I like to save all those rewrites. Occasionally I go back to them.
I’m glad you’re feeling ready to tackle bigger projects, Mihku. I was amazed how all I learned at Stonecoast came into play when I reorganized the mss. I was glad to know that I had actually integrated these skills.
Great points. A good agent who is in tune with you can really bring out the potential of your work. And often an editor has ideas too about how your novel can best speak to its readers. Although you don’t want to obliterate your original intention, this kind of input from sympathetic but experienced professionals can really help you write the best novel you can. This is why when editors leave publishers, their authors often go with them. Best of luck!
Thank you for you good wishes! I had fears about hooking up with an agent or an editor who would take, say, a cozy mystery, and try to mold it into a thriller. Happily, that’s not the case, but, also, I’m confident enough to say “wait a minute…” if something didn’t jive with me.
I got a new chair, too. It’s much easier and more comfortable to write now.
It’s wonderful to have supportive agents who give great feedback.
Hello Medeia, I’m glad you stopped by. I take it you must have agent support as well as a supportive chair!
Yes, I have both.