The Five Steps of Dealing with an Edit

I know it's hard to get your manuscript back covered in red marks and suggestions - even when you've paid me money to do just that. I go through the same thing whenever my critique partner looks over my writing.

Here are the five steps of dealing with an edit as I see them:

1. Denial - Are you kidding me? My manuscript was perfect! What are all those red marks all over it?

2. Anger - That jerk! What does she know about great writing, anyway? If she was so hot, she'd be writing her own best-sellers.

3. Bargaining - Fine. I'll correct all the typos. But I'm not rewriting chapter three. Or chapters eight, nine, ten and eleven.

4. Depression - Forget it. I'll never be an author. I hate books, anyway.

5. Acceptance - You know what? She's right. If I make those changes, my book's going to rock.


My advice? Try to get to step five before talking to your editor/critique partner. Saves a lot of hassle down the road.