This week Author Robyn Rychards talks to us about revisions and edits. Her new release is Cruising With Danger and she has a digital copy to giveaway for one commenter!
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Over the years I've heard other writers say they are in revision hell, something I couldn't relate to because generally I don't mind the editing process. Until the book I'm working on now. Now I am in revision hell...
All my books have gone through various forms of editing and revising, and it's always been something I don't mind tackling. My latest release, Cruising With Danger, went through a lot of changes as, initially, I wrote it as a short medical romance, then later I decided to make it a full-length romantic suspense. This involved adding some things here and taking away some things there. One of the things I've learned over the years I've been published, as well as through the many books I've written, is that no story is set in stone until it's published. Take things out, put things in, move scenes around, do whatever needs to be done to get the story the best it can be.
Now, along the way, you'll get a lot of suggestions about what needs to go in, what needs to go out, etc., and not all of it is going to be good. Don't use every suggestion someone gives you, thinking that's what you need to do to make the story publishable. Not all input is the right input for your story, no matter how qualified the person giving it is. So my two cents worth there is, balance it out with what you know your story needs to say and go with your gut.
Never forget, it's your story and it needs to be told the way you want to tell it.
Author Robyn Rychard's new book:
After the stress in
a busy Chicago ER, Sage Brady now enjoys working as a doctor on a cruise ship.
Until she temporarily takes over the position of Chief Medical Officer and
learns the previous doctor was murdered. Then she discovers narcotics being
smuggled through the ship’s dispensary. But it’s the hot detective assigned to
the case that threatens her peace of mind most of all.
Detective Dace
Langdon hates his undercover assignment as a cruise ship security guard, but
it’s better than the vacation his boss suggested. Being assigned to work with
the sexy Chief Medical Officer is a complication he doesn’t need.
They could be trapped
on the open sea with a murderer and drug smuggler. Can they figure out what's
going on without Sage becoming the next target? Will their attraction to each
other complicate the investigation or lead to something lasting?
Available at
And all major eBook retailers
Great advice. We do need to remember it is our story. Editing is definitely an interesting stage. I do like seeing the story get cleaned up.
ReplyDeleteCruising with Danger sounds like an exciting and interesting read. Wishing Robyn the best of luck!
~Jess
Thanks Jess! Interesting is right!
DeleteThat one can be hard for me. When my writers group gives me suggestions for my MS, I tend to try to make those work. Most of the time, anyway.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. I can be really challenging to figure out if the change is a good one or not.
DeleteI just finished a rough edit. I learned that changing one element of a story can mean a massive rewrite.
ReplyDeleteYour story sounds great- sounds like the extra effort paid off.
Thanks Elizabeth. It is really amazing how much one thing can change so much, and I always worry I missed fixing something somewhere along the way!
DeleteSounds like a fun premise--off to check it out! Congrats and best of luck. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tara!
DeleteGreat advice! I think Stephen King mentioned in his On Writing book that he will seriously consider advice if 3+ people suggest the same thing.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Robyn!
Yes. He's onto something there I do believe! Though sometimes the light bulb goes off and you know they're right. Then you don't need three. :D
DeleteSuch good advice! It's always something I struggle with--figuring out which advice to take and which doesn't quite work. Best of luck with your revision hell :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Meradeth! And it can definitely be tricky figuring out what advice is good advice!
DeleteThis is such good advice --> "Not all input is the right input for your story." The trick for me is figuring out which is the right input.
ReplyDeleteIndeed! Finding the right input can be tricky for sure!
DeleteI'm learning to enjoy the revision stage ... slowly and painfully! :)
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds awesome - looking forward to reading!
Thanks Jemi! In general, I enjoy it, but the story I'm working on now, may be the death of me! It's the first one I've written that's had to fit category guidelines. Who knew it would be so tricky?
DeleteEditing is hard work indeed.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds really intriguing.
Have a fabulous day. ♥
I like what you did there, Sandee! :D You have a great day too!
DeleteI'm having fun reading my short stories over and over, polishing them just for my selfish enjoyment. ~grin~ Happy Writing and best wishes!
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear it Darla! Happy Writing to you as well!
DeleteI find this to be really useful! I just finished editing my poetry collection and it has been sent off to betas so I am curious to hear what they have to say. I know I will get a lot of mixed advice but I hope I can keep it to what matters most to the aim of the work.
ReplyDeleteMy recent post: https://oliviascatastrophe.com/2018/05/looking-for-dei-book-review/
Glad I was able to help Olivia! Hope the poetry does well!
DeleteExcellent advice. Sometimes we are too quick to accept everyone else's opinions above our own.
ReplyDelete