How do you know when to let go of a story?

[MagicaPractica]

I wrote a novel *ahem* a few years ago. I've had the opportunity to submit it directly to three editors and I've submitted queries to a few agents. I'm about to embark on another round of approching agents but wanted to take a good hard look at it before that and see if it needs more editing. So, I'm planning to do a good bit of reading on the particular genre first and I have already story boarded it to show me where the plot is weak.

I'm concerned that I might need to do a very big re-write, which would essentially change the character of the book. I find myself asking whether I should be doing a lot of editing or just keep submitting it until I find someone who wants it? I've had people read it and tell me they couldn't put it down. I know I have some re-writing to do but not sure how much.

How much is too much editing? How do YOU know when it's time to let go of a story? (short story or novel)

Thanks for your input!

 

[rgraham666]

I usually let mine go when I can't stand to look at them anymore.

If you're submitting to editors and publishers don't over do it. They'll let you know where your piece could use some work. Their acceptance of it will have more to do with the quality of the story than whether it's 'perfect'.

 

[Belegon]

I don't let them go, they escape.

This is why writing to a deadline seems to be a good thing for me.

 

[SpicyPepper]

I like to follow Stephen King's advice: 1 draft = 2nd draft - 10%...

If you're happy with what you have maybe you should just do some small editing and leave it like that until a professional editor can give you some advice.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

MAGICA

Yesterday I read some essays from the 1920s about manuscript submissions.

The best advice is know your publisher's market (they wont accept what their readers wont buy).

The next best bit of advice is: Have something to say. Even if the message is identical to what others have said. Polish it, make it plainer and obvious. Distill the message into simple words. The reader wants good, easy solutions they can use in their own lives. Or validate what they already believe or know.

Stop writing when there's nothing left to say and youre repeating yourself. That is, explore every combinatrion and permutation of your message, just dont repeat any of it.

Writing really isnt any different from sports. Its all been done before. And its all about getting a better time or more points or a more graceful performance than the last schlub who did it.

 

[oggbashan]

I have only ever let go of one incomplete and unpublished story.

I still have an incomplete version of it on my hard drive and back-up.

I have over 100 incomplete ones that need completion that I haven't given up on.

Og

 

[sr71plt]

if I'm pleased enough with it after the first review, I send it off. If not, I put it away and let my mind work on what seems to be problem--and go off and work on something else. When I come back and still can't make it satisfactory (to me), it goes back in the drawer again until it occurs to me to give it another go. I don't get bogged down on any one work.

If it doesn't get offers when I send it out, I, again, put it away. I don't dwell on it or try to fix it--unless someone I'm trying to sell it to suggests particular fixes and I agree that they are probably right. I do sell much of the work, so my philosophy is that if I ever get to Tom Clancy's level, I can always go back and sell the manuscripts that were problematical and they still will be better than what Tom Clancy is shoving out now.

 

[neonlyte]

I really struggle to let them go... but going they are.

I figure they will never be 'finished' and a professional editor will spot what I'd never see. If the story is right and it's 95% there linguistically, publishers editior will help me over the bump.

 

[Frank Noir]

I wrote a novel *ahem* a few years ago. I've had the opportunity to submit it directly to three editors and I've submitted queries to a few agents. I'm about to embark on another round of approching agents but wanted to take a good hard look at it before that and see if it needs more editing. So, I'm planning to do a good bit of reading on the particular genre first and I have already story boarded it to show me where the plot is weak.

I'm concerned that I might need to do a very big re-write, which would essentially change the character of the book. I find myself asking whether I should be doing a lot of editing or just keep submitting it until I find someone who wants it? I've had people read it and tell me they couldn't put it down. I know I have some re-writing to do but not sure how much.

How much is too much editing? How do YOU know when it's time to let go of a story? (short story or novel)

Thanks for your input!

The crucial point for me is always to step back and ask: Does this edit actually make it better - or just different?

Thankfully, I've never had to do genre-related editing. Both with music and writing I've always had the option of saying "screw you. I'm an artist - I do this my way".

 

[MagicaPractica]

Thanks for the input everyone.

I'll take a good hard look at the industry then decide what changes will make it better instead of just changing things. I appreciate your advice.

 

[Tarakin]

Don't try to catch the mainstream. If you have let the story rest for some time and then reread it yourself, you know where to do changes (which are mainly clarifications). Give the updated form to someone who doesn't know the tale yet (and therefor can find the new errors the edits always work in), correct those and then let it go.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

It depends on what kind of changes you're talking about too, MP. Are these major structural changes or are you just talking about polishing and tightening?

As SpicyPepper says, King apparently does two major drafts, Jacqueline Susane did 6 (these were back in typewriter days though, when a draft was a draft, not like it is now when you could revise on the fly) Pynchon did like 27. Neon's right too when he points out that part of an agent or editor's job is to vet your ms. and tell you where it needs help. Of course, you still want to send them the best story you can...

I had (have) the same problem with a book that starts out strong and gets a little mushy towards the end. After sitting on it for some months, I came across an idea that would really help firm it up but would take major structural revision. By this time I was working on other and better things, though, and I'd kind of lost the vision. Did I really want to drop what I was working on and get back into something I was pretty much done with? I didn't. I sent it out and am waiting to hear. If it gets rejected, then I'll ask their opinions of a revised version.

Remember, publishers are willing to negotiate story if they like your book. If they don't give you a form-letter rejection, they probably like your book enough to discuss changes that would make them reconsider it.

 

[MagicaPractica]

It depends on what kind of changes you're talking about too, MP. Are these major structural changes or are you just talking about polishing and tightening?

As SpicyPepper says, King apparently does two major drafts, Jacqueline Susane did 6 (these were back in typewriter days though, when a draft was a draft, not like it is now when you could revise on the fly) Pynchon did like 27. Neon's right too when he points out that part of an agent or editor's job is to vet your ms. and tell you where it needs help. Of course, you still want to send them the best story you can...

I had (have) the same problem with a book that starts out strong and gets a little mushy towards the end. After sitting on it for some months, I came across an idea that would really help firm it up but would take major structural revision. By this time I was working on other and better things, though, and I'd kind of lost the vision. Did I really want to drop what I was working on and get back into something I was pretty much done with? I didn't. I sent it out and am waiting to hear. If it gets rejected, then I'll ask their opinions of a revised version.

Remember, publishers are willing to negotiate story if they like your book. If they don't give you a form-letter rejection, they probably like your book enough to discuss changes that would make them reconsider it.

It's been seven years since I initially wrote it and I'm afraid I have kind of lost the vision. It's a children's novel and I was going for the kind of vacation mystery story I loved as a kid. I'm just afraid it's not the kind of thing that is getting published anymore. I've got some things to look at and see if I can punch up the characterization etc. I'm afraid it's not edgy enough for today's crowd.