Thoughts on revision

[deborahjross]

One of my newest reading delights is YA author Maggie Stiefvater m_stiefvater. (Hint: if you haven't treated yourself to her work, do so!). She offers thoughtful comments on the process of revision here

I like the way she doesn't buy into those two eternal pestilences: Heinlein's "Do Not Revise" rule and The Never-Ending Polishing cycle.

The thing is, don’t nitpick. Don’t get stuck on line editing. A good editor can see through those things, but a good editor can’t see through wild story problems. And hold onto your manuscript for the right reasons, not just because you’re afraid to send it out. Fear is not a good reason to keep revising.


I like that. Fear is not a good reason to keep revising. Nor is it a good reason to not revise.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

That's really interesting link: thank you.
How are you feeling these days? I hope your breathing issues are better.