Not a phrase you want to be applied to you now, is it? The ego-issue is one editors find themselves facing when dealing with difficult authors–those who refuse to see any problems with their novel or refuse to accept and apply any changes an editor offers. Being stubborn for the sake of “preserving your art” may seem like a noble cause, but in reality, it can often lead to the story being crippled or never reaching the level of writing quality that it could have. We see editors as bullies who want to beat our manuscript into submission, molding it into their vision of our story. They are the enemy and must be defied at every turn.
But in this article, we are reminded that the editor is your friend. Sure, you might not agree on exactly what changes are needed, but for the most part, your editor is going to have more experience than you and will be able to spot certain plot or pacing issues that you might not have recognized.
Does this mean if the editor says you should consider making your main character a clown, switch the gender of your entire cast and move the story genre from a western to a fantasy that you should leap mindlessly into revisions? Of course not. The story remains yours in the end, and you decide how far you want to take it, and whether you think the editor is giving good advice or not.
As the article mentions, it’s a partnership that often does the most good. Not the writer or the editor dominating the entire revision process, but both working and talking together over critical changes that can make a project shine in the end. So keep it in mind to do your part and at least give any suggestions a serious thinking-over. Accept the fact your book isn’t going to be perfect when it crosses the editor’s desk. Otherwise yours might be the next ego to make a big ‘ol splatter and stink when it lands.
I see that smiel.