There’s a lot about being a freelance editor that’s fun. But some things that just…aren’t. Like telling a writer that his manuscript isn’t ready to be edited. This happens most often before an editor agrees to do an edit, when they read the sample of the manuscript. There are times, though, when those first pages are pretty good, so the editor takes the project on. And then, when he’s deep in the fabric of the manuscript—alarms go off and the hard truth hits: the manuscript isn’t ready to be edited. That’s never a fun call to make. For the editor or the writer.
Writers react with hurt, frustration, even anger:
“What do you mean it’s not ready for editing? Are you crazy?”
“It has to be ready! I’ve been working on it for five (or ten…or twenty) years!”
“My critique partners love it. The problem isn’t my manuscript, it’s you.”
“Isn’t that your job? To fix the problems?”
And the editors sit there, criticized, yelled at, or feeling lousy for making a writer cry. Nope, not a happy situation for anyone. In fact, this can become a situation where the author decides the editor is the bad guy. But friends, when you hire an editor you’re asking them to tell you the hard truths. To speak to the weaknesses in your writing and to help you overcome said weaknesses. And when you send your manuscript to an editor, asking for an edit, you’re asking her to speak to whether or not your manuscript is ready for an edit. That’s her job. It’s what you’ve asked her to do for you.
So here’s what I’m going to do for you writers and for my fellow editors. I’m going to plant my tongue firmly in my cheek and let a scene from the movie A Few Good Men speak the hard words editors sometimes need to say. Writers, take it for what it’s worth (which, admittedly, you may think is zilch). Editors, feel free to pass it on when you need it.
Picture it with me. Jack Nicholson, decked out in a Marine officer’s uniform, lip curled into a snarl, leaning forward and pointing at you with the red pen clutched in his gloved hand, while that signature voice grinds out:
“You want the edit? You want the edit?? You can’t handle the edit!
“Kid, we live in a publishing world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded. Who’s gonna do it? You? Your mama? Your critique team? Editors have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for your darlings and you curse the edit. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know, that my turning down this edit, while tragic, probably saves you hours of wasted time. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, serves your needs as a writer!
“You don’t want the edit yet, because deep down in places you don’t talk about at launch parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall. We use words like ‘POV,’ ‘Show verse Tell,’ ‘Unique Voice.’ We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending quality in literature. You use them as buzz words in conference ice-breakers. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a writer who writes and revises under the blanket of the very quality that I help him find within himself, and then questions the manner in which I help him! I would rather you just said ‘thank you’, and went on to top the best-seller list. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a red pen, and stand a post. Either way, I don’t give a flying fig how good you think your manuscript is! Sure, this story needs to be told–but you can do better!”
Great post. I love the editing and revision part. Of course I whine and pout for a day or two then dig in and see what needs to be changed and rewritten to make for a better, stronger story. If the editor makes suggestions, I sometimes wonder why I didn’t think of her idea first.
Yeah, I’ll think of Jack whenever I’m editing now.
I loved this post because of its truth. I’m speaking as a writer first and an English teacher second. I’m unpublished and learning about the publishing world. Have so much to learn. I can relate to this as a teacher too because students who leave elementary school and end up with an English major as their teacher for language arts, often cry, “But I always got As! What’s going on?”
I love your imagined Jack Nicholson quote. That’s the best thing I’ve read in a long time. You made my day. Thanks
Oh my gosh, I was yelling those paragraphs in my head (like Jack would) as I was reading them wondering how long it took you to write them. I bet you rewetted that court room scene multiple times. Way to go for speaking the truth!
Very entertaining. How easy was it to rewrite that scene? Did you have to work hard on it or did it all flow so naturally you almost couldn’t type quickly enough to keep up with the muse?
You know, I would play contrarian just a bit here. I’ve been a free-lance book editor for nearly 25 years, and have had nearly 50 of my authors’ books traditionally published (many to huge success). And the thing is, I help writers greatly at whatever stage of the game they find themselves. I’m a developmental editor, so of course a big part of my job is as coach and mentor, and it’s all very hands-on.
I’ve worked with folks with enormous talent, well along the path, who weren’t willing to put in the blood, sweat, and tears to truly learn this craft, fashion a great book, and never published.
On the other hand, I’ve worked with many novice writers, who kept diving in and learning and writing and went on to publish very well.
SO much of this is in the hands of the writer, and it’s often hard to predict who will take the bit in her mouth and run.
Just another perspective!
Came here looking for process tips on how to work through my editor’s feedback… and instead stumbled upon one of the best things on the internet.
Thank you for that great laugh!!