I’ve been so busy revising a picture book manuscript this past week, per an editor’s request (yay!), that I didn’t think I’d have time to write a blog post. Then I realized it might be interesting and maybe helpful if I shared my process. So, here’s a list of what I have done over the last several days.
- Printed out a fresh, clean copy of the story I’d submitted.
- Read and re-read it several times, over a period of a day or two.
- Pulled up every earlier version of the story in question and read and re-read each as well looking for nuggets to possibly re-work into my revision.
- Brainstormed revision ideas in my notebook and recorded snippets of inspiration – possible new rhyme pairings and plot escalations – using the notes feature on my iPhone.
- In several sessions, separated by self-imposed time filters (i.e. walks, dishes, school work etc.) I wrote and rewrote until I had something I felt good about.
- Sent my revision-in-progress to a couple of trusted critique partners.
- Repeated step five and six as needed (and it was definitely much needed).
- Celebrated with a happy dance when, at last, I had a revision that I was really happy with.
- Resisted urge to send it right away to my agent – knowing that one extra time-filter can never hurt.
- Spent afternoon diverting myself by volunteering at our local history museum’s Sheep to Shawl Festival. That littlest one is only two days old, by the way.
- Finally, after one more read through, I wrote a note to my agent and got my revised story ready to email first thing Monday morning.
What would you add to the list? Happy revising!
Laura Sassi Tales 
I would add in a few more happy dances. And an ice cream sundae. Congratulations!
LOL! =)
Great post! I agree with Genevieve. 🙂 Also agree that “time filters” are incredibly important. And depending how big of a revision, I’ve sometimes written several versions of the manuscript to test things out.
Me too! Yes, that’s a good one to add. This revision wasn’t that complicated, thankfully.
Add a few pieces of chocolate too.
Chocolate is always a good choice.
This list is basically the same as mine. And I’ve gone through a similar experience very recently. Hoping this works out for both of us!
Fun! We can nibble chocolate and bite our fingernails together.
Great list – seems like the magic recipe for success! Fingers crossed for you!
Hmm… I will have to consider saving full versions of earlier drafts. Instead, I create a ‘parking lot/storage garage’ file for lines/chunks/darlings I like but actually don’t fit any longer (or at the moment) and need to go. As for adding to your list – Do you ever read with just your Copy Editor Eyes (for facts/misconceptions and typos) as part of this revision cycle? Or do you let that go by this stage?
You make a wonderful point, Katie! Yes, I do use my “copy editor eyes” at this stage as well and that step should definitely be a part of any revision request. I also like to get someone other than me to give it a mechanics/ spelling final review – like my husband or son. Thanks for commenting on this important aspect.
My pleasure. Thx for the quick answer.
Only once did I not do a revision request, because it was to expand a PB to a MG. It came from a very interested editor. I’d been through that before and couldn’t bring myself to go there again.
Scroll forward a few years, and I did it. The interested editor had left publishing, and so I was not really complying with a request anymore. I did it because I could see the way and felt the point she made.
That MG got me agented. In the grand scheme of things, many R &R do not result in a contract to publish. But there is always a point.
Such a good point, Mirka! I agree that even if a revision request doesn’t ultimately result in a sale, it’s still a valuable opportunity to grow as a writer. I’ve learned so much from each revision request I’ve had, even though only a couple of those have actually resulted in sales.