Being a writer, you are often faced with a blurred line by which you have determine what are truly necessary changes to your manuscript and that which you have to accept is just simply not someone’s cup of tea. Opinions can vary, and honestly, it comes down to trusting your own judgment. But working with publishing editors, can create very clouded vision when it comes to that personal judgment.
When you have a piece of work, it’s your art. It’s the product of months and months of agonizing hard work and creative depletion. Trust me, I have done manual labor in my life, and I have never been more exhausted than I am when I finish a manuscript. The mental and emotional fatigue far outweighs physical any day. So, when someone comes to you and tells you that your character needs to be developed more, or this needs to be changed, or that needs to be adjusted, one’s head could literally spin right off their neck.
I have been told many times that my books are wonderful. My young BETA readers seem to truly respond well to them. The adult BETAs articulate more in terms of the development and structure, and they all seemed to feel that the character development, etc. is excellent. Fast forward to copy and content editors from the publisher… the crushing blow of pages and pages of changes. Now with this said, and to be fair, they will profit from my books just as I will, and of course, they want the best possible product.
Now to the dilemma. Since I have the final say in what the published product will be, do I blindly do everything they say. Or do I say, no, this is what I want.
I actually take very seriously the painstaking task of reviewing every single word, phrase, and punctuation on every page of the book when my editors send me work. And I have to say trusting my own judgment over those with advanced degrees in this process is tough. But it is more difficult when I have to make heavy changes to a manuscript that I have given so much of myself to. I often find myself resenting this process sometimes. I have to reel myself back and set aside my pride. And that, folks, is the most difficult and humbling part of this entire process.
Wanting these books to be my very best effort but still making them “mine” and not just the clinical structure of what is traditional becomes the hardest part of getting published.
Thankfully, my editors and publisher are patient and encouraging. They let me work things out for what I feel is best for my books.
Donna Fera
AuthorDonna Fera‘s writing invites readers to explore unknown worlds alongside courageous heroes as they face thrilling challenges and uncover hidden secrets. With a Bachelor of Arts in History and Anthropology from University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Donna is able to take her readers on amazing journeys that draw upon her background in research and learning practices. Combined with her experience in the airline industry and special projects, Donna creates stories that captivate readers with their combination of organizational detail and customer service resolution. Join Donna on this remarkable journey!
