This guest post is by Dara M. Beevas.

The day my copyeditor sent my edited manuscript to me, I actually thought the revisions process would be pretty painless. As I sat down to pore over my editor’s suggestions for the first time, it was exciting. I eagerly devoured every suggestion.  I enjoyed her objective feedback. I delighted in reviewing her thoughtful comments. I remember smiling as I sipped a chai latte in my favorite coffee shop with my laptop in front of me. My manuscript was one step closer to final. The second round of revisions was less exciting, but still encouraging. The feedback was legitimate and well-founded. My manuscript was better for it. I was yet another step closer to done. I was still feeling good.

By the third round of revisions, my eyes could barely stand to read my manuscript without looking for typos, run-on sentences, misplaced commas, and all the other potential flaws I
had nightmares about. How was my manuscript still not ready?

To make matters worse, my book The Indie Author Revolution covers the pitfalls of revising and the importance of editing. I couldn’t disregard my own advice. Yet, as I was typing about how to approach revisions, I was admittedly struggling. I now realize that freaking out is part of the process.

Five editing rounds later, I learned a few things.

For starters, I learned writers should expect the revising process to take twice as long as they think it will. Had I known going into the revisions process that it would take a year from the
date of my final draft before I had a polished, publish-ready manuscript, I would have managed my time better.

A List of Revising Do’s

Do have a revisions toolkit handy. It should include an editing guide or manual that will help you trim superfluous sentences and eliminate fluff (I used Edit Yourself by Bruce Ross-Larson), a dictionary, a style guide, and Post-It notes.

Do approach each revision alert and focused.

Do keep track of ideas, notes, and additions. You won’t remember them if you don’t.

Do save your documents frequently. The worst is losing the changes and additions you’ve made.

Do only make the changes you agree are best for your manuscript. Every edit and suggestion isn’t always perfect for your book.

Do communicate with your editor(s) throughout the revisions process.

Do try to cut what isn’t essential to your manuscript.

Do take breaks. When fatigue sets in, step away. You might start to rush through edits or worse, make irrational decisions.

Do print your manuscript and read it on a hard copy after each round of revisions.

Do read your manuscript aloud.

Do have more than one round of editing and revising. Your readers will thank you for it (in the manner of good reviews and referrals).

Do give yourself deadlines.

A list of Revising Don’ts:

Don’t ask your editor turn edits around in an unreasonable amount of time.

Don’t blindly accept every change to your manuscript.

Don’t get defensive. Your editor(s) wants the same thing you want: a polished manuscript.

Don’t put it off. Taking breaks is healthy, but don’t procrastinate too much.

Don’t skirt the unexciting parts of revising, such as adding citations, fact checking, and doing critical research that will strengthen your manuscript.

Don’t get lazy, which isn’t the same as fatigue.

Don’t be tempted to ignore a problem area in your manuscript or choose an easy route over a more time-consuming one. For instance, if you need to get permission to use key images, passages, or quotes in your book—get it done.

Don’t let too many people (editors excluded) read your manuscript. Varying opinions will only confuse you. Also, it’s nearly impossible to receive suggestions that are unbiased and objective from your friends and family members.

Don’t panic or obsess about mistakes. If you’ve done the hard work to find a good editor and polish your manuscript, don’t worry.

When it came to my book, I didn’t cut corners. I invested time and money in making sure my book was as good as it could be. Revising my manuscript was probably the most challenging aspect of publishing. But, even if I find a mistake in my book (and I’m sure I will), I won’t sweat it because I know it didn’t occur as a result of negligence or carelessness. I also learned that revising, like writing, is filled with ups and downs. It’s amazing to feel you’ve added or deleted the correct thing. However, it’s often daunting to realize you’re so far from being done. What really helped me was envisioning the end product and enjoying the journey. Now that my book is finally finished, I’m grateful for hard work I did.

About the Author: Dara M. Beevas is the author of The Indie Author Revolution: An Insider’s Guide to Self-Publishing. As vice president of award-winning Beaver’s Pond Press, she has mentored hundreds of authors through the publishing process. She’s also co-founder of Wise, Ink, a blog for the indie author
community.

Tell me your opinion: Do you enjoy the revision process?