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Utilizing Growth and Perspective When Handling Editorial Feedback
March 18, 2024
Handling Editorial Feedback
As an editor, I am always worried about how the authors I partner with are handling editorial feedback.
It can be stressful to get your manuscript back with so many edits and comments on it! But it doesn’t have to be—if you approach handling editorial feedback from a growth mindset.
I’m Kaitlin, a fiction editor for indie authors, and I’ve compiled all my best tips for how you can learn to love feedback!
Growth Mindset
You may have heard of growth mindset. It has become increasingly popular in schools.
I think everyone can benefit from a growth mindset. To put it simply, Psychology Today says, “A growth mindset contrasts with a fixed mindset. The latter is the limiting belief that the capacity to learn and improve cannot be meaningfully developed. The growth mindset, conversely, is open to the effort even if it takes time. Proponents of the theory contend that adopting a growth mindset, and rejecting a fixed mindset, can help people be more open to success.”
People who utilize a growth mindset are more likely to be persistent, and to see “obstacles as opportunities to grow, rather than signs of their abilities being inadequate.”
Not to get too science-y, but this information from MindsetWorks is really interesting:
- If you believe your brain can grow, you behave differently.
- With practice, neural networks can grow new connections (like, changing your mindset!).
- Studies have shown we can “change a person’s mindset from fixed to growth, and when we do, it leads to increased motivation and achievement.”
How does cultivating a growth mindset benefit you as an indie author? Well, you will probably be handling editorial feedback a lot differently from someone with a fixed mindset.
You will see criticisms as constructive. You will see edits as opportunities to improve your story. You will see comments and edits from your editor as ways to improve your writing craft. You will be able to receive feedback without cringing and being nervous.
With a growth mindset, critiques aren’t something to be afraid of. They’re exciting because they are helping you form your manuscript into the story of your dreams.
But how do you cultivate a growth mindset? And how can you work on receiving feedback so it doesn’t hurt your feelings? Keep reading for tips and tricks, as well as growth mindset mantras you can use as you revise!
No One Hates You
First, remember this.
No one hates you.
Your editor is on your team. Your editor isn’t talking about you behind your back or making fun of the grammatical mistakes you made. Your editor wants to help you and your story!
Keep that in mind when you open your editorial letter.
Change your perspective from: author vs. editor to author + editor.
Growth mindset mantra: I don’t know everything, and the constructive feedback from my editor will help me to learn more about the craft of writing. Mistakes are an opportunity to grow.
Take a Breather
You know how when you finished your first draft you took some time away from it? It was beneficial to let your story breathe and to allow you to get some distance.
Handling editorial feedback requires the same amount of distance and time to process.
I suggest reading through your editorial letter and the comments left on your manuscript and then … taking a break.
Give it a day or two before you jump right to revisions. This way, if something in the letter upsets you or doesn’t make sense, you have some time to think it over before outright rejecting it. Sometimes our egos get in the way, and we reject suggestions that may actually improve our stories.
Change your perspective from: I need to get started on this right away to Letting this feedback sit for a day or two will help me when I approach revisions.
Growth mindset mantra: The feedback from my professional editor is how I will learn to become a stronger writer. This is tough, but so am I.
Get Organized
It’s always easier for me to tackle a project if I have a plan in place.
Here’s how I recommend my authors tackle the revisions in their manuscript:
- Read your editorial letter and make notes of major things you need to address.
- Read through all the comments in the document and handle those.
- Finally, go through the smaller edits (made with Track Changes) and accept or reject them.
Mark Twain once said, “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”
This may be helpful for you to remember as you begin revising your novel. It’s easier to start with the biggest and most daunting task FIRST so that everything you need to do afterward feels easier and more manageable.
Change your perspective from: I have all these edits to address; I’ll never get them all done to These edits are going to make my story better and I can’t wait to implement them into my final draft.
Growth mindset mantra: If what I’m doing isn’t working, then what I’m doing has to change. Everything is difficult before it gets easy.
Make a Plan
Do you have a deadline? Do your edits need to be finished by a certain date so you can stay on track for publication?
If so, work backward to create an editing schedule for yourself.
Ask yourself: What do you want to accomplish this week? Today? How much can you truly handle each day or week?
Divide up your edits that way so that when you deal with editorial feedback you will feel more in control of the process.
Change your perspective from: It’s overwhelming that there’s so much to do to I can handle all of this because I have a plan.
Growth mindset mantra: Patience, perseverance, and practice. I am capable.
Remember: It's YOUR Story
You are in charge of every edit and revision. Yes, you hired a professional editor and they have expertise, but you’re still the captain of this ship.
You make the final call.
Trust your gut.
Change your perspective from: I have to do everything my editor says to I’m in charge of my story, and I make the final decisions for my book.
Growth mindset mantra: Whatever happens, I’ll handle it. I control my choices.
Do you feel more confident about handling editorial feedback?
Remember, handling editorial feedback isn’t supposed to give you nightmares! Your editor cares about you and your story. You’ve got this!
Searching for an editor who wants to support you and respects your authorial voice? I’m Kaitlin, an editor for indie authors, and I’d love to talk with you about your next project!
Need help keeping everything organized as you work toward your publish date?
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