Requests for Revisions: What's Your Take?

So not too long ago, I read an article (or it may have been a blog post, I can't remember) about how requests for revisions usually result in rejection. It was interesting/scary for me, because the day before and earlier that same day I'd received requests for revisions.

More confusing was the fact that the requests didn't say the same thing. I decided to focus on one that only addressed grammatical issues, because I felt that was something that would have to be addressed anyhow. I set to work and realized quickly that I wouldn't be able to do it on my own. Partly because I was overlooking/not catching things, and partly because some specific things I just didn't know. I hired a freelance editor. She  did a great job, but when I got her revisions back, I still had a lot of work to do. Sometimes just because I needed to understand why the changes were necessary and sometimes because though the changes were correct, I didn't like them. I felt for whatever reason it didn't work with my voice. Then I needed an alternate fix that had to be correct. I racked my brain to re-word things and re-work things until they worked and then e-mailed the editor again to make sure the new change was correct. (I basically knew, but I have 0 confidence. I need someone to tell me I'm right).

Some of the things the request asked for the editor didn't see a problem with, so I went back to the press and asked for clarification. Then I set to work again. All of this resulted in a rejection. The article was right. LOL. I'm not angry about it. I'm glad the editor took the time to point out some of the grammatical issues, because I wouldn't have noticed otherwise. Even though, I'd read it 3 times and a critique partner read it too. But being rejected after specific revisions is more disheartening than just being rejected in general.

I'm still working on the other requests. They were more complicated and I feel the end result is going to be the same. I'm trying to decide if I think continuing to revise this piece is worth it, or if I should just focus on something new. But I wonder what is your take on requests for revisions? Do you feel it's a good use of your time? Or is your writer time better spent on something new? Does it annoy you when the requests all go in different directions?

(O) Overwriting

Today, O is for overwriting. I think there are probably lots of ways to do this, but I'm going to focus on two.

One form of overwriting that seems common and even best sellers have been criticized for is using huge words with sentence structure that is both complex and convoluted. I've heard Stephen King criticized for this, and I have no opinion because I've never read his fiction (and he's sold so many books I'd feel stupid to criticize). But I think it's possible, because he taught English for years and is a brilliant writer. He enjoys playing with language and likes to string it together to see what he can do with it. The problem most readers are devouring information and story, not necessarily focusing on words and syntax. Trying too hard, getting too artsy can lead to overwriting. Although, I think this form of overwriting also happens when a writer is trying to prove what he/she knows, or boost his/her own ego with the writing. Also, I think it happens when an author tries to distance his/herself from the work. By clogging the page with words they would never use in a conversation and focusing on grammar instead of truth, the author can hide from emotions he/she doesn't want to experience or re-experience, but in doing so they deny the author the chance to experience true emotion. This can be death to a story.

I'm guilty of another form of overwriting, though it doesn't really bother me. When I overwrite, it doesn't tend to me overstating something rather than just communicating with my reader. Instead, I write everything little thing about my characters and every part of their day. It makes for massive manuscripts, but well developed characters. And the extra can all be taken out later. I can't say I really regret that I overwrite. (I'll never have to worry about hitting a word count). But I can say cutting the excess later on is painful work. Do you overwrite?

As an aside, I've posted an editorial services page, and I can help with all forms of overwriting for free ;).