Writing Magazine

Heart or head?

was ecstatic when after months of near-misses, my agent secured a contract for my first novel. My editor said she loved my writing style and that the story was clever and original. She also said that she had a few small suggestions and would send notes. I expected this, of course, and was looking forward to seeing how the novel could be further improved, and was completely ready to do whatever it took. However, I got a shock when the notes came through. She is asking me to change something fundamental about the plot, which will give the story a whole different outcome. She says this will make the novel more ‘commercial’ but it feels entirely

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