August 28, 2007
When to compromise
Well, I don’t know if compromise is the right word. But I wonder about when it’s okay to change/alter a story. Is what you write so terribly sacred you can’t alter a single word? Maybe that’s an overstatement. Is the story, on the whole, a masterpiece not to be tampered with or can you tweak this aspect of the plot or that aspect of character development at the behest of an editor.
I recently submitted a book and received a rejection of sorts. The last quarter of the books was not liked. I asked for a suggestion and actually what the editor said worked well in the book and I think it made it better.
It is yet to be seen if it’s now what she’s looking for, but still–I am not disappointed, disillusioned or otherwise irked at changing it. Frankly, I knew it was weak, but had not a clue how to change it and had I not asked and took my licks of rejection it probably would have been rejected time and again for the same reason.
HAVING SAID THAT, it got me thinking; that time it worked, but I have heard of authors who go through several rounds of this back-and-forth with an editor and in the end the book is still rejected. Was it worth it to go through the effort? Is it even the same story at this point?
When do you say, “No, I like my story just the way it is, but thanks for the time.” It can get you shot down time and again or you may hit pay-dirt on the 104th submission.
I don’t have the answer, I just have a curious mind.
Hard to say.
Most of the editorial suggestions I’ve had have much improved the story.
I had one that I wasn’t crazy about, but followed through on and the MS was accepted. It didn’t HURT the story, but I’m not sure it helped a great deal.
There was only one that I completely balked at, wrote the editor back and said, “No, I’m sorry, but I can’t in good conscience do this. It would ruin this aspect of the story.” After some back and forth, the MS was accepted as was.
Maybe it depends on whether your gut instinct tells you it’s all wrong, or how much you really, really want to see the story in print.
I don’t have the answer either, lol.
I think we have to accept the fact that 99% of the time, no word is so precious it can’t hit the cutting room floor
*cough* and I also believe that constructive criticism can help make us a better, stronger writer. I think Raine’s right–you have to listen to your gut as far as when to say no. I know author’s who’ve gone ten rounds with certain houses who shall not be named only to ultimately end up rejected and I think it’s a horrible waste (and crushing to the writer). In a case like that, I’d be tempted to say, “Gimme a contract if you want more edits” 
I think there is a big difference between incorporating editorial changes and having to rewrite the book multiple times. The former results (most of the time) in a stonger product. The latter morphs into a project that you no longer recognize.
Maybe it depends on whether your gut instinct tells you it’s all wrong, or how much you really, really want to see the story in print.
Raine, that’s the $64,000 dollar answer!
Ames, I wish I could do that :-) someday I will grow a pair!
Jordan, You’re right. I am lucky (or just so lazy I haven’t sent that much out) that knock-on-wood, this hasn’t really been a issue/problem.
I have previously received “thanks but no thanks” or sold. The last two rejections I have gotten back were, “if you consider resubmitting…”