How many revisions?

[Barnes55]

Thanks for sharing your experiences; I appreciate it.  When I asked the question back in June, I was anxiously awaiting feedback from my agent on revision #6.  It's November now, and I'll soon launch into lucky #8.  Good golly, I hope I'm almost home.

[lovinlife83]

As newly-agented and waiting for revisions, I enjoyed this post.

I'd love to know more...  

Any takers?

[swanndown]

Finally stopping back in after three months of absence because I've been busy......revising for my agent.   So good to "see" you all again, and hear so much good news.  But to the point:

My agent sent her editorial letter to me a week or so into November, and I will finish with this big revision this week.  So, its taken me about three months to complete.  I'm astounded at how many of you managed to pull off substantial revision in smaller time frames!  How do you do it?!! 

I had "expectations" of the process taking less time, and had to adjust to the reality that the manuscript needed and would benefit from a lot more work!

In fact, as I carefully combed through and substantially re-wrote the story, I begin to feel an acute sense of embarrassment about just how undeveloped the manuscript had been at the time my agent offered.   I am grateful that she saw something worthwhile in it in that state!!

Once I'd let go of my assumptions about /hopes for how long the revision would take, I was able to fall more deeply into the re-telling of the story.  Ideas began to flow. 

So many different scenarios possible!

[JeanneG]

I'm finishing an R&R this week. It's taken me about three months.

I guess how long it takes depends on what kind of revisions you need to do, and what other distractions/demands you have in your life

JeanneG

[GennAlbin]

It definitely depends on the type of revisions and your life.  My life wasn't very balanced while I was revising for sub.  I think, though, that my revisions for both agent and editor while feeling extensive to me were  pretty low key.  I've never had an editorial letter longer than 3-4 pages and line edits are just that, go page by page.  That said my agent had mentioned the ms to editors and they were waiting for it, so that sped me up (read: stopped sleeping, eating, being a real person in general) considerably.  Nothing like lighting a fire under your ass.  Most of my editor revisions have come with deadlines, usually a month to six week, and since I want to be professional, I find a way to meet them.

[clutzattack]

When you talk to your agent on the phone before signing you can ask them how ready the MS is and what sort of revision suggestions they have in mind. One agent might tell you they want some large things changed, and another could say they just want a few names changed.

I think I'm going to get off with one round of large picture stuff then another one for line edits.

[lovinlife83]

So joining this convo again now that I've received my revisions.

I took a month to do one major revision, which included big stuff and the small stuff. Sent it back and my agent was very pleased, so she just sent back a few more small things which I whipped up in an afternoon and sent back. Going on submission next week! Eek!

This is a great thread, btw!

Thanks for all the input! 

[Barnes55]

lovlife, I'm stoked for you. 

I'm deep into the 8th revision (supposed to be the 8th & final!), which will be the 4th for this agent.  I've been hard at it everyday since mid-January, working on the revisions between doing my real job and taking care of my family.  Anticipated completion will be the end of this month, and we're supposed to go out on submission this spring.  I'm so close, I can feel it, at last.

[swanndown]

  Alright, lovinlife!  Onwards! Don't forget to send us toilers back some dispatches from the front!

[shaunta]

I did one major revision for my agent (it took about 3 weeks), and then one smaller revision that took two days. My story has time travel and every revision requires going through and making sure it didn't effect something somewhere else. Went on submission about a week ago. The waiting is crazy-making!

[lovinlife83]

The waiting is definitely crazy-making!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[naptimewriter]

I did one large revision with a couple tiny changes before we went on sub. I'm waiting for my editorial letter, so I'm not sure how extensive revisions will be from here on out.