The Differences Between Editing & Revising

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EDITING AND REVISING

Last week I talked about the differences between drafting and revising (found here), and I thought that this week I would touch on the differences between editing and revising since I've recently done both with dev edits and all my revision projects, and will continue to do that as I move through the year and the next professional edit stage.

Just to be clear, I see revising as the process you as the author go through while rereading and tweaking your story. This is usually without any input from professional editors, but can be based on the feedback of betas, alphas, and sensitivity readers. Editing, for me at least, is the part where you go through and make edits after you've worked with a professional, whether that's developmental, or line, copy, or proof. That's what I personally class as editing, but everyone is different.

I will also only really be able to talk about how the process has worked for me, and just because something has worked for me, or it's a difference for me, it doesn't mean that it's the same for everyone. We all approach theses processes differently and that's completely okay. So with all that said, let's get into it!

#1 THERE'S MORE LEEWAY WITH REVISING
When I approach revision, I'm always aware of the longer deadline. I know that I have to get the book to the editor by a certain date and even then, there's some wiggle room. Because I usually have a long period to get the book into shape, and I have my outline to allow me to do that, it feels like unless it's literally the last read through before the editor, there's more leeway. I can think over plot changes longer. I can do a draft without the changes being made, and I have more time to think about things

On the flip side, with editing, there is, usually, a very firm deadline. As an indie author, I set my own deadlines, to a point, but there are others in there that can't be moved, and sometimes you just have to make the changes and be sure that's the final version because this editing train is moving and it will not stop. So because of that, I feel like when doing my changes, that I have a lot more pressure to get it right the first or second read through, because time is very much running out.

#2 THERE'S MORE GUIDANCE WITH EDITING
I've worked with a number of editors, most of them good, a few of them not, but one clear thing has always been the guidance. If I didn't think something worked, I can, and do, turn to them and ask for clarification. If I feel like I'm close, but not quite there, I can have them read through the changes again and get that feedback. I feel like it's a way of making those changes that might leave you a little unsure, but with the ability to ask someone else who already knows the whole story, and can jump in and let you know if you've strayed a little too far one way or the other.

With revision, you can ask betas, you can get their feedback, but you can't, usually and in my experience, then ask them again if what you've done works. Sure you can bring in new betas, and maybe they will give you that feedback, but it's not quite the same as with editing, where you can check in with the person telling you how to change things and have a whole discussion. It feels a lot more like you're on your own, and you have to make these choices and be sure you like them because there's no one there really to tell you if they work or not. Yes, there are critique partners, but if you don't have those, you're alone with all of this.

#3 BOTH USE A SIMILAR KIND OF PROCESS
With revising, you're looking at the book critically and you're doing the same with editing. While one is more on your own speed, the other is with a professional backing you, and the whole process ends up being one with the same kind of outcome. Changes will be made, and you will craft your story the way you're going to, but while one seems to be a try it and see, the other is more firm in what needs to be done.

Now I say that, and realise that some writers worry about editors changing their story. This is not how a good editor should work. If someone is telling you that you have to this or that, and you, as the author, don't want to do that, it's your choice. Every change is optional, but be wary of clinging too much to what you've already written, ninety percent of the time, those changes are what will make your book so much better.

Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!

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