I’ve
recently been working with an author client, responding to requests from a
publisher for changes to her nonfiction proposal outline and sample chapters.
Two
different publishers are interested in two different books she is writing. A
great problem to have, isn’t it?
Both
publishers like her titles mission, and her credentials are excellent; in other
words she is qualified to write on the topics she is writing about.
One
publisher asked her to widen her target audience and that has resulted in
changing the chapter outline and the books focus.
The
other publisher asked her to tone down the sometimes academic voice into a more
conversational tone so she can better connect emotionally with her reader.
It
has been so rewarding, collaborating with these editors, willing to sacrifice
their time and wait patiently while she made the changes. She and I have
learned a lot in the process. As a result, both of the books have expanded and
grown into much better books than they were before.
I
hope the work will result in contracts for my client, but I know this- she has
grown as a writer, learned new skills and I am very proud of her progress and
willingness to do the work involved in making the changes. It was a lot of
work.
Has
it ever been suggested you make changes to your WIP (work in progress)? Are you
willing to rewrite if asked too?
1 comment:
Diana,
I was asked to do some rewrites of chapters in my book Sure Mercies: Hope for the Suffering. Actually the whole manuscript was edited by two different editors: one before I turned in the manuscript and then with 4RV Publishing as well. Both of them suggested rewrites of certain chapters. I feel that it definitely improved the manuscript, even if it meant more work.
Megan
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