The Five Stages of Grief Revision
Working in children’s books, you surely know the… “joys” of revisions.
Your critique partner/editor/beta reader has sent you some suggestions. And your response?
Denial—Nope. Uh-uh. This piece? Perfection!
Anger—Who do they think they are?! What kind of suggestion IS that?!
Bargaining—What if I only change this teeny tiny part instead of the WHOLE section?
Depression—That is the BEST SENTENCE (or illustration) OF ALL TIME! If I change it, no one will ever know it’s brilliance (😭 waaaahhh!)
Acceptance—Oh…huh. Wow. That makes this piece SIGNIFICANTLY stronger.
Whether you’re working on a manuscript or illustrations for a dummy (or both if you’re going the author/illustrator route), you WILL face revisions. And it’s okay to go through the stages. There is nothing wrong with feeling like you’ve created a masterpiece. And recommendations to change even a minute spot? Utterly ridonkulous!
It’s disheartening to see your piece ripped to shreds. A story that’s been gestating in your mind for a while, that you’ve finally delivered to paper? It’s your baby. So, it’s understandable. But your critique partners are there to help. They aren’t trying to cause you any pain. Going through the stages is a necessary part of the journey.
And there IS joy in revision. It usually occurs because of these experiences. Your current story (the one as is) may be “dead.” But through denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, you can bring it back to life. Perhaps into something completely new and dare we say…better?
There have been plenty of times where I’m going through revisions and thinking, “but…I LOVE how I designed this character; it wouldn’t be the same if she suddenly had (insert whatever your critique partner/editor/beta reader has suggested).” That leads to the anger stage, “See??? She looks silly with that! Here, I’ll show them, I’ll do five other things that also won’t work!” And as you plug and play different props/outfits into your illustration or different scenarios into your manuscript to prove the critic wrong… “hmmm…hold on a second. That is actually…MAGNIFICENT!”
Sometimes, when going through the depression stage, you will sniffle and say your goodbyes to that section that was overly wordy or pretty, but unnecessary to the story. And SOMETIMES…you will realize it IS brilliant, but is simply in the wrong spot.
Here is a spread that went through quite a few changes from the upcoming SIMPLY SKYE. The team was not a fan of the initial close-up view of Avi's parents (or the lack of Avi). I thought it worked swell (denial). So, I went through the stages and approached with a variety of options (anger, bargaining). It was closer, but still not working (depression). Our editor suggested that Mom's eyes be open (and of course—move Avi and Skye OUT of the gutter!). And voila! Acceptance...or as I like to think of it...joy. 😄
All of these stages lead you to question your dead manuscript or dummy. And really, it means questioning why you feel so personally connected to these parts. Go through the emotions, get to the core of why you wanted that part there in the first place. Maybe it’s something you feel strongly about, but desires a story of its own? Maybe you know in your heart it has to be there, but a different route is required so your readers really feel it too.
Take each step as it comes. Bring on the denial, the anger, the bargaining! Even that miserable…depression. Examine your critique and thoroughly go through those stages. Explore. Try different options to prove why it doesn’t work (and perhaps find what does).
Whether the journey is long or brief doesn’t matter. That manuscript or dummy had a heart once. And it’s time to get it beating again.
Stronger than ever.
Check out all the events for #KidLitZombieWeek July 3-7, 2023 here.
There are prizes for pitches and pledges! 🤩
And be sure to follow 6 Ladies and a MANuscript on Twitter for more great tips and discussions: @6and_MANuscript
SIMPLY SKYE, written by Pamela Morgan and Illustrated by Heather Bell will be released July 11th, 2023 from Amicus Ink. Now available for Pre-order 💛🤍💜🖤
Avi’s doll Skye is not a boy or a girl. Neither is Avi. But what will their family think? Avi uses Skye to explore gender expression and identity and also to discover how their family will react to Avi’s own nonbinary identity. Breaking gender stereotypes, Avi’s clothing choices and actions show their brother, sister, and parents who they really are as their family gradually understands and accepts Avi’s identity.
Heather Bell (she/they) whole-heartedly believes that hidden within our everyday lives is a secret realm glimpsed through books, music, and children’s laughter. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Heather loves to portray diverse characters and gets especially excited for any story that reveals the world from a new or different perspective. Holding a BFA in Painting from the Kansas City Art Institute, she is a member of SCBWI, a Children’s Book Academy graduate, and a mommy. When not illustrating and writing, she searches out story ideas as an undercover school bus driver.
Heather Bell is the illustrator of Mac and Cheese and the Personal Space Invader (Spork, 2020), Why is Mommy Crying? -explaining early pregnancy loss to young children (River Grove Books, 2021), and the upcoming SIMPLY SKYE (Amicus, 2023).
They are represented by Kaitlyn Sanchez.
Twitter: @heatherbell37 Instagram: @heather.bell37
Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you the best in bringing back your dead (manuscripts and art😉)!
Heather Bell 