Artistic Vision: How far are you willing to compromise?

JoNightshade · Jun 30, 2008

Lately I've been confronted with several requests to change certain aspects of my novels.

First of all, let me say that I am totally and completely willing to rewrite, revise, cut, whatever - AS LONG AS IT MAKES THE STORY BETTER.

What I'm not willing to do is change things or remove things or rewrite things that, in my opinion, diminish the novel - simply to give it more mass appeal, to be more "marketable" or "pitchable" or "commercial."

I admit I'm tempted. It's extremely tempting when it's the difference between a yes or a no.

So my question... how far are you willing to go? Are you willing to write "whatever sells," or do you have a certain artistic vision that you're unwilling to compromise? Is there a middle ground?

escritora · Jun 30, 2008

For me there is a middle ground. If the suggestions change my artistic vision, but at the same time I wouldn't feel embarrassed to represent the book (my name on the book cover, signings, and so on) I would make the required changes.

Susan Lanigan · Jun 30, 2008

I think it would depend very strongly on who was asking and why.

JoNightshade · Jun 30, 2008

Susan Lanigan said:
I think it would depend very strongly on who was asking and why.

For the sake of argument, let's say the person requesting is a very good agent, and if you make the changes she will offer you representation.

If you're already agented, let's say it's an editor who wants to buy your book.

Prozyan · Jun 30, 2008

I'm not really sure any of us can answer that question effectively. Well, I take that back. We can all answer it as it relates to ourselves and our situations, but I'm not sure anyone can answer it as it relates to you or your situation.

Its kind of a personal choice thing, ya know? How far I might or might not be willing to go doesn't really have a lot of bearing on how far you might or might not be willing to go.

Personally, in my case, it would depend on the story. Some are very, very special to me and changing them would be out of the question. Others were written for commercial value and if changing them would increase that value, I would have no problems doing so.

Takvah · Jun 30, 2008

If a quality agent or editor wants to rep or buy your book, I think you give them the benefit of the doubt and you make the changes... especially if this is your first rodeo. I mean they're taking on risk and telling you what you need to do to help mitigate that risk for them. If they truly are quality people in the industry, I'd wonder if my artistic vision wasn't what was flawed. I'd probably make the changes and sell the book... then hope that it sells and that the next go round I could throw some weight of my own around where it concerns my vision.

Susan Lanigan · Jun 30, 2008

I dunno... at some stage the story comes to life and is independent of you - in that case you might need to appreciate that these people have knowledge and experience that make a good thing better still. But maybe I'm too easy a sellout...

nevada · Jun 30, 2008

I guess I'm a whore cause i'll change anything if a very good agent would say it sells better that way, or an editor. I want to sell. Yes, I have artistic vision, but I also realize that "artistic vision" doesn't always sell. I'm really not concerned with peopel 100 years from now praising me for sticking to my artistic vision. I want to sell, baby. Sell, sell, sell.

Seriously, I don't write about anything near and dear to me, I don't write about personal experiences, I don't write as a catharsis so I look at the commercial aspects of it. If I found myself fighting a change, i would question why I'm so fond of it. Is it really the best thing for the story or did I just fall in love with something so much that I can't see to change it.

But prozyan is right. We all have our threshold. They're just in different places.

Nateskate · Jun 30, 2008

This is a good question, but it will be open to interpretation, because a writer has to accept certain preconditions, simply because the idea is to communicate.

I've made many changes to my novels to sell it, but I didn't consider those compromises, but rather using a certain amount of wisdom, honey rather than vinegar. If anything, parameters acted to force me to write better- use a quick opening, a hook, less wordy, changing pace. Some of those things didn't come natural to me.

I'm saying this because I also know people in the art community at large, and there are some that would fall on their sword for this or that principle, and they don't mind obscurity and a small audience of like-minded people who get them. In a way, I guess I'd say that I realize I have to learn to speak the language to tell my story, and for some that might seem like a compromise.

IceCreamEmpress · Jun 30, 2008

I've been asked (well, "we've" been asked, because this was a collaborative project) to change a protagonist's race from African American to white, because "it would be more marketable" and our answer was "not on your life." Eventually, the book found the right editor who was psyched by the multicultural cast of characters.

On the other hand, I change little things all the time, because I am unabashedly commercial.

SPMiller · Jun 30, 2008

I write to entertain, and doing so requires that I communicate my story effectively to my readers. If a certain change will improve the entertainment value of my writing for my target audience, I'll do it, even if I don't like it. I am a sell-out and proud.

The problem is knowing that this change will be beneficial. It depends on who's telling me to make it.

Deb Kinnard · Jun 30, 2008

On another board (Christian fiction writers) we've been bashing this same topic. How far will we go to sell a novel set in the medieval era? We've been told to "tone down" the Catholic factor. We've been told that medieval fiction can't sell in this market because the characters will of necessity be Catholic.

Yes, it's a questionable stance for a publisher to take. Why, you say, don't Christian publishers care about honesty? I imagine they do, and when you get an explanation they cite that unknowable statistic: "our readers won't stand for non-Prod characters." Yes, they have their reasons. But if it involves taking a revisionist view of the history we love, some of us are balking at it.

Whatever. We may not sell these books in mainstream Christian fiction, but there are many smaller presses who think this sort of rubbish is...well, rubbish.

JoNightshade · Jun 30, 2008

IceCreamEmpress said:
I've been asked (well, "we've" been asked, because this was a collaborative project) to change a protagonist's race from African American to white, because "it would be more marketable" and our answer was "not on your life." Eventually, the book found the right editor who was psyched by the multicultural cast of characters.

On the other hand, I change little things all the time, because I am unabashedly commercial.

See, I'm with you. This is kind of my sticking point. If we're talking revising scenes, or adding some action, or whatever - I'm all for that. My words are not gold, and I'm open to rewriting anything. But when it comes to changing who a (main) character IS, making them be someone or do something that they simply wouldn't -- that's really a big deal to me.

nevada · Jun 30, 2008

okay okay, deb and icecream have two exceptions. Changing a character's race, when it's essential to the story should stay. And just ignoring the truth is also out. Maybe I'm not a whore. Maybe I'm more of a call girl. And expensive one. With not exactly principles, but guidelines. I feel better now. lol

Seriously, Jo, if it's something that completely changes the whole aspect of the novel, for example, changing Cinderella from a cinder girl to a high-powered executive in order to make it chicklit rather than fairytale, thats just going too far. Then you might as well write a new book.

Chasing the Horizon · Jun 30, 2008

This is always a difficult question to answer because there's so much 'middle ground' between "Of course I'll change it" and "No way in hell!". Obviously, if the change improves the story then you do it. If it hurts your vision of the book but will enable you to sell, then that is a personal choice. I personally would never change something that I felt made the story less true to my vision. But I'm also unpublished.

amber_grosjean · Jun 30, 2008

I can answer that twice really both being totally different.

With Stolen Identity, I had 2 editors. The first one said to take something out which I liked having in the story but because I wanted it to be the best story I ever wrote at that moment, I agreed. Well the second editor got a hold of it and liked that part but only wanted it mentioned in the end. I liked that idea better so we both got what we wanted lol.

With another book, the publisher asked for a lot of changes and they would publish it so I bit my tongue and made most of the changes which I really hated because it was great for the story. In doing so, she turned around and said it was "bad writing" and rejected it.

So in a way, agreeing and saying no can go either way. Go with your gut. If you trully feel it works better the way you have it, say no thank you. If it gets rejected as a result, there are other publishers who will agree with you so keep trying. I've had enough rejections to know they only hurt if you let them. Keep improving them until you make that deal. If some changes are required for the better good of the story, make the call. Sometimes you do have to swallow your pride and make that change. It worked for me on one book and didn't on the other so trust your heart and the gutt.

Amber

Harper K · Jun 30, 2008

For me, it would depend on the particular project. I have some I'm more personally invested in than others. I've got a couple of trunk novels that I've considered taking out and revising with the aim of submitting them at some point in the future. Those I'd be open to making big changes to the characters and the plot, as long as, say, a couple core themes remained intact.

But my current WIP and its not-really-a-sequel companion novel? My heart would break if I was asked to ditch one of the major characters, or change the novels' settings, or change the characters' ethnicities or turn them from down-to-Earth teenagers into rich-bitch Gossip-Girl-esque teenagers. I've been developing the characters for over 15 years, and while I've certainly changed and evolved them over the years, they've definitely been organic changes... grown from my own brain and built on their motivations that I know so well. I'd have trouble making a big change suggested by someone who's only just "met" them.

Matera the Mad · Jun 30, 2008

I changed my MC's name on the advice of a beta, though I've known him longer. If there is a good reason for a change, I may chew a few nails (not the ones on my fingers, the hammer-and kind), but I will find a way to do it.

There are things I would fight for.

Claudia Gray · Jun 30, 2008

I wouldn't write "whatever sells," but OTOH, there are few concessions to marketability that strike me as really beyond the pale. Most of those things are "faster pacing," "more engaging characters," etc. -- which I want to strive for anyway.

That said, there are compromises I wouldn't make. I am pitching a series with a character of color as the lead later this year, and I wouldn't be willing to make her white -- her biracial nature is very fundamental to who she is. My idea for the book isn't about someone like her; it's about her.

Kalyke · Jun 30, 2008

You have no power with an editor unless you have had a best seller. If you do not change things then you get the reputation of being "difficult" to work with. There are throngs of talented writers out there. To get ahead you must do a bit of ass kissing. If I was asked to change a story substantially, I would withdraw it from consideration and shop it to other publishing houses more in line with what I wanted story-wise. If the changes were doable without changing the essence of the story, then I would do it. for instance, my MC now is 47 years old and balding. If they wanted him 35 with a full head of hair, I would do it. It would certainly change his angst (biological clock stuff), but not the essence of the story.

DeadlyAccurate · Jun 30, 2008

JoNightshade said:
See, I'm with you. This is kind of my sticking point. If we're talking revising scenes, or adding some action, or whatever - I'm all for that. My words are not gold, and I'm open to rewriting anything. But when it comes to changing who a (main) character IS, making them be someone or do something that they simply wouldn't -- that's really a big deal to me.

Same here. Plot, scenes, action? No problem. But characters? I'll tweak; I'll consider bringing forth certain parts of their personalities. But I won't remove or change a core aspect of them.

Shweta · Jun 30, 2008

DeadlyAccurate said:
Same here. Plot, scenes, action? No problem. But characters? I'll tweak; I'll consider bringing forth certain parts of their personalities. But I won't remove or change a core aspect of them.

I think I'm with you, so long as we keep Jo's original disclaimer:unless it improves the story.

Sassee · Jun 30, 2008

Banter a little for a good middle ground and explain your reasoning for not wanting that *exact* change. See if the whoever-it-is will explain in further detail why they think it would be a better change... I don't know that I'd except "it will sell better" as a reason. I'm like you I would want the change to improve the overall story.

ChaosTitan · Jun 30, 2008

Sassee said:
Banter a little for a good middle ground and explain your reasoning for not wanting that *exact* change. See if the whoever-it-is will explain in further detail why they think it would be a better change...

Exactly, Sassee. If in doubt, just ask. You won't get labeled or rejected for asking a question about why a change is being requested.

When my agent offered represention, it also came with two specific changes to the plot, which in turn affected the MC. As ecstatic as I was about the offer, I wanted to know *why* this agent thought those changes were necessary. One terrified me, because he thought that a major supporting character should die. But it was an agent offer! I didn't want to mess it up by asking questions.

I asked anyway, got his reasons. Which made sense. But my rebuttals, coupled my agreement with his assesment of the other major change and how it would affect the characters, saved the character's life. When I made the rewrites, I didn't know if I could do it, but I made it work. And the book's stronger for it.

In this instance, we both compromised.

Sean D. Schaffer · Jun 30, 2008

There was a time, Jo, when I would have been willing to do whatever it took to get my work published.

But now I'm not so sure of that. I think a middle ground can be achieved, and that I should strive to reach that place. My reason is, like has been mentioned upthread, I want my book to sell, yes, but I also want to be able to look a reader in the eye without blushing, and say, "Yes, I wrote this book."

I can't very well have that proud moment where I am glad to tell an important person in my life that I actually wrote so-and-so book without shame, if I don't reach the middle ground somehow.

That said, you will never please everyone. There will always be some person who is either offended or otherwise raises a big stink over the whole shebang. But if you reach that coveted middle ground, you will find that, though some houses might not like what you've produced, the rewards of your conscience will be far greater and more enjoyable than all the money you can ever earn from your work.

Best wishes to you, and the best of success to your writing career.

Artistic Vision: How far are you willing to compromise?

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