Friday, November 8, 2013

Making sense of contrary feedback

A few months back I had submitted 3 chapters of a Middle Grade book I had written to an Indian Publisher. The editor (who I respect a lot) replied that she not just liked my writing, she enjoyed it so much that she read the 3 chapters fast. She had a few problems with certain aspects of the story (based on the outline/synopsis). She asked me if I was open to revising it with their suggestions. I replied yes. She wrote back saying she will be in touch.

I had also sent the same 3 chapters to another publishing house. The second publishing house’s reply left me shocked. That editor had problems with the writing style, she found the writing abrupt. Her feedback was completely the opposite of the first editor. For a moment I was rendered speechless. No one had called my writing abrupt.

My crit partner Mark Noce had loved my voice and the writing in this book. “ Wow! This is by far your best writing yet. I was able to fly through reading it. You have a great story that will really strike a chord with adults and kids alike.”

The writing style that appealed to one editor did not appeal to another. Funny isn't it?

There is no way I would doubt Mark, I trust his feedback completely. Now I am wondering which editor should I listen to? I have no idea who the second editor is, the email was forwarded by her colleague with the editor’s name deleted. Was the second editor being honest or plain stupid by trying to find fault with something that may not have suited her taste? Was the first editor being polite or honest? How have you all handled contrary advice? What do you all advice?

21 comments:

  1. I think it is a case of favoritism (which is ripe in India), in the part of the second editor. Especially if she doesn't declare the name. Some fixing has happened somewhere.

    Destination Infinity

    ReplyDelete
  2. Trust your instinct and the response of the first editor. Work with her on those changes and see what happens.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I would listen to the editor who likes it! The other apparently has a concept all her own, which means you would not be happy re-writing to her specs. And if, after your beta readers liked it -- I'm sure they give hard-nosed critiques -- and and editor likes it, that means you have something that works with some revision. Editors are people, like everyone else, and you want one who "gets" your vision.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Destination Infinity, I am just worried about the abrupt writing accusation. That's something I have never been told before.

    Alex, like you suggested, I am going to trust my instinct and contact the first editor again (after a few days). First, I want to go through the manuscript again.

    Elizabeth, I agree with you that I should work with an editor who gets my vision. Else I will be rewriting every scene if I work with someone who does not understand my writing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think that it would be good to follow Alex's advice. Go with your intuition and work with the first editor. Great things could happen.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Alex talks sense here, madam. And in addition, I feel it is also quite reasonable to find out why the 2nd editor did that. Why must s/he have someone else to forward the email, at the first place? It's good to find out for it helps silence the faceless voice bicker at us at the back of our mind.

    All the best with everything you do, ma'am.
    Tashi Dendup

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've gone through this many times and it never fails to frustrate me and have me wondering about the editors who are "arbiters of good judgement" when they all disagree on what's good. Ignore the second. Go with whoever likes your work. Good luck! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. When you get hit with a valid criticism, even though it may be painful, usually there's a feeling deep inside that the person has a point or that they're calling out something you also suspected.

    If you don't get that twinge of recognition put it down to a difference in taste and move on. That editor will find something they do like and force it on an unsuspecting public, I'm sure.

    regards,
    mood

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'd go with the first one. Two (editor and crit partner) out of three isn't bad.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I agree with Richard, I'd go with the majority who liked it. You don't know if that second editor is looking for something very specific that your work was at odds with. I do wonder why she deleted her name, but I haven't worked with any editors so I don't know if this is normal practice.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Always look at what positive has been said, Rachna and see how much you can really weigh the second opinion:)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Work with the first one. Mostly (at least for me) because they had the good grace to connect in person, further supporting their opinions. The second seems to want to hide.

    We each like different things and have different ideas about what's 'good.' I'd be pleased to be able to contrast the a positive with a negative opinion. It's nature to believe bad over good however, so don't fall into that trap.

    One has offered to work with you... take them up on the offer and like Alex says, see what happens. Best of luck. :)

    shahwharton.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I don't know much but go through the manuscript again and listen to your gut feel.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Deanie, thanks. Intuition is going to play a big role in revising.

    Tashi, the nameless part worries me to. Alex's advice is spot on. Thanks for your suggestion and good luck.

    Lexa, I am going to go with my gut instinct.

    Mooderino, I am currently reading the ms again and finding ways I can revise it.

    Richard, the first one is my choice too.

    Nick, I agree it a matter of personal taste. Maybe she was looking for something specific and my book did not match her requirement or taste.

    Rahul, at the moment I going through the book through the second editor's eyes.

    Shah, I agree that the first one had the grace to connect with me offering suggestions and changes while the second one was curt.

    Alka, I am going through the manuscript again.

    ReplyDelete
  15. We can't please everyone. Listen to the editor who understood and liked your writing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. What, someone disagreed with me? Forget that! ;) Hey, I def love your work, so you've got at least one fan here:) Sometimes people aren't just the correct audience for a certain book. I had one editor who read my latest MS and literally thought my main character was supposed to be touched in the head...wah?

    So long as you're true to yourself it'll be all good:)

    ReplyDelete
  17. It's all personal taste. In fact, it happens with published books, movies, TV shows, etc. Two people can walk out of a movie theater with drastically different reactions. One could say these are expert opinions...but even movie and book critics disagree on what is good/what isn't good. Plus...it's possible you caught that editor on a bad day and something in your ms. just didn't resonate well with her on that day. Keep trying! Each rejection is just one step closer to publication.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Listen to the one who loves it and is willing to work with you.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I know, it is hard to sift through this kind of feedback. I try to keep a balanced perspective (although it's hard). My writing will not be everyone's cup of tea - author Jody Hedlund said this one time - and she's right. And it's okay that it's not, for we don't like all the writing we see either. But taking that and constructively applying it to our writing is another story. I rely on a varied assortment of crit partners to help with this process.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I would trust the one who loved your writing. You shouldn't change your style because one person doesn't like it. Others do. That's why even best loved books have 1-star reviews. Not everyone will love what we write, even though we wish they would.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'm late here Rachna, but listen to me. Go with your gut. The first editor loves your writing. I think that is the one your gut will tell you to go with pal.

    ReplyDelete