Caroline Starr Rose

picture book and middle-grade author

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Second-Round Edits

11 Comments

You might remember from my post on first-round edits* that my editor uses Track Changes in order to leave comments and questions throughout my manuscript.  

During my first round, I worked on the manuscript for 3-4 weeks, making changes Nicole suggested, adding scenes, moving portions of the story, etc. I answered many of her questions by leaving a comment under her own:

NG: I must be in a cutting mood. Is this first stanza necessary? Does time make ANY difference to this scene? I think no, see what you think. 

CSR: cut

For the second round, I worked on the manuscript for two weeks. Before she sent the manuscript on to me, Nicole cleaned it up, officially accepting the changes that were working for both of us. Our conversation continued:

NG: She’s in fightin’ mode here.. She ain’t goin’ into battle in a freakin’ shawl! Armor perhaps? Or something else, maybe not quite as overt?

CSR: You crack me up.

NG: The quilt’s folded over my coat,

Wrapped from shoulders to elbows

Like (adj) armor.  

Adjective could be anything from the kind of quilt it is, what it feels like, how inadequate it is—puffy, damp, cotton—I’d like you to stretch here. Don’t return with “weak” or “soft”—show the reader in one word that she’s outmatched. You can do it!

CSR: or faded? “like faded armor”. I suppose Mrs. O wouldn’t bring old quilts into her marriage. Maybe they’re worn out from all of May’s use. Maybe May took Mr. O’s old one, the one that ended up on her bed…

Why am I taking the time to share comments that are most likely unclear and uninteresting to most of you? Here are a few reasons why:

  • The editing process is a true partnership. If my work improves, it benefits both of us.
  • My editor trusts my ideas and is wise enough to shoot down things that would make me look ridiculous.
  • Edits are like intensive study sessions with someone who knows your work inside out and can inspire you to make it better.
  • Each round builds on the last.

I’ve never learned so much about writing as I have this summer. Here’s to more lessons next month, when I begin my third round. 

Check out my earlier posts on the publication process:

  • You Can Get Published Without an Agent
  • What is an Editorial Letter Like?
  • Five Things I’ve Learned from First-Round Edits*
  • How Does an Editor Edit?
  • Phone Meeting with my Editor

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Filed Under: May B., publication, the writing life

Comments

  1. Natalie Aguirre says

    August 23, 2010 at 10:42 am

    Thanks for sharing this. I hope my future editor makes suggestions like yours. It makes it easier to edit. Thanks for sharing this.

    Reply
  2. Julie says

    August 23, 2010 at 12:33 pm

    I love knowing this kind of dialogue takes place. It must be amazing to have someone in your corner, fighting to make your work incredible. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Christine Fonseca says

    August 23, 2010 at 12:55 pm

    I LOVE my editor – she has brought things to my writing made of win! HANKS for sharing your process with all of us.

    Reply
  4. Jennifer Shirk says

    August 23, 2010 at 2:08 pm

    Thanks for sharing. I love to read little insights like that.
    Working with your editor is a true partnership. It’s wonderful you have such a great relationship with yours!

    Reply
  5. Liesl says

    August 23, 2010 at 3:36 pm

    Thanks for sharing this! It is so helpful for hopeful authors to have a glimpse into the editing and publication process!

    Reply
  6. Kathryn says

    August 23, 2010 at 5:00 pm

    Wow! Fantastic! Very cool to see how you work together on editing! Thanks, Caroline!

    Reply
  7. T. Anne says

    August 23, 2010 at 5:03 pm

    Thanks for sharing these! Fascinating!!!

    Reply
  8. Jen says

    August 23, 2010 at 10:46 pm

    It’s really nice to see that you really do work as a team and it makes life all the more easy!! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  9. Jody Hedlund says

    August 24, 2010 at 1:22 am

    Very fun to see your process! It’s actually really interesting for me. My in-house editors don’t use track changes, and that’s what I’m used to! Mine communicate with via email or phone. But you’re right, it really is a team effort, especially on those little details. And most of the time, I really trust their objective opinions and advice!

    Reply
  10. Amanda Hosch says

    August 28, 2010 at 4:40 am

    Thanks for sharing this. It’s lovely to see that the book really is a team effort. And what a difference a fresh pair of eyes make!

    Reply
  11. Rosanne Dingli says

    September 1, 2010 at 12:40 pm

    I just wonder what people used to do before Track Changes! (Well – I do know, because I’ve been in this game a long time, but the technological advances are tremendous.)
    I still have a bit of the ‘blue pencil’ in my life though, because I send my manuscripts off to my first readers, and they pick them apart, which is incredibly helpful.
    I enjoyed this discussion, thank you.

    Reply

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