How to Use Your Editor’s Notes Without Losing Your Voice
You’ve done it. You’ve poured your heart into a manuscript, sent it off with a breath, for some a prayer, and now it’s back.
Covered in notes. Track changes. Comments like “edit for transition and flow,” or “consider tightening this scene” or “timeline issues”, “wrong usage of tenses”, “structure issues or even inconsistent information.”
If your first reaction is to panic, you’re not alone.
Here’s the truth: editorial notes are not a critique of your worth. They are a collaboration designed to help your book become the strongest and most refined version of itself. Let me say that again, because it’s important. Feedback is not a reflection of your value or talent as a writer. It is an opportunity. A chance to grow, sharpen your skills, and step more fully into your craft.
The first round of edits can feel overwhelming for many writers, especially if you have never worked with a professional editor before. When you reach the second stage, the deep-dive revisions, it can feel downright mind-blowing how much might need to change, or how much doesn’t. It all depends on the strength of the writer’s voice and the foundation of the manuscript itself. Every project is different, and the best editors are there to guide that evolution. They are not there to dictate it.
If your editorial and publishing team offers you touch-base calls, resources, classes, or extra support, this is the time to take full advantage of those offerings. These tools are not just added perks. They are part of a relationship built on trust and shared purpose. Use them. Lean into them. Ask questions, brainstorm, share your concerns, and celebrate your wins. These moments of connection are where you can bond more deeply with your team and collaborate in ways that elevate your work even further.
Not every publisher offers this level of personal support. If you are fortunate enough to find yourself working with a company that does, embrace it wholeheartedly. These people are here for you and for your book. They care about your vision and want to help you see it through. Don’t let that kind of support go untapped.
At Owl Mountain Press, we believe in empowering writers, not rewriting them. Your voice is the heart of your story, and our job (as editors and publishing partners) is to amplify that voice, not replace it. So today, let’s walk through how to take editorial feedback and actually use it. No tears. No ego. Just tools and perspective.
First, Breathe.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed when you open a document full of suggested changes and comments. You might feel defensive, discouraged, or unsure of where to start. That’s okay.
Take a step back and remember: your editor is on your team. Their goal is not to tear you down but to build your work up. Good editing is an act of care. If someone is taking the time to dig into your manuscript, it means they believe in your story’s potential.
Give yourself a moment. Then dive in with a mindset of curiosity and openness, not judgment.
What Does “Edit for Transition and Flow” Actually Mean?
This is one of the most common editorial notes, and also one of the most vague if you’re new to the process. Here’s what it’s usually asking you to look at:
- Are your scenes or paragraphs jumping abruptly without connection?
Transitions are the glue between ideas, scenes, and chapters. They help the reader understand how one moment leads to the next. - Do your ideas move smoothly from one to the next?
“Flow” is about rhythm and readability. If your pacing is choppy or your paragraphs feel disjointed, the editor may be asking you to smooth things out so the writing reads more naturally.
How to Fix It:
- Read your work aloud. Hearing your sentences can help you catch awkward jumps or clunky transitions.
- Add a line or two of bridge text. Something that links one thought to the next. It doesn’t need to be fancy, just functional.
- Check sentence rhythm. Vary sentence length, avoid repetition, and look for places where the prose gets bogged down or rushed.
- Ask yourself, “Is there enough emotional or narrative connective tissue between scenes?” If the answer is no, add it in.
Blending Their Edits with Your Voice
Sometimes an editor will suggest a sentence rewrite or offer alternative phrasing. This is where many writers freeze, worrying that they’re being “rewritten” or that their voice will be lost.
Here’s the secret: you’re not expected to take every suggestion word-for-word. What you are expected to do is take the spirit of the suggestion and revise in a way that still sounds like you.
Let’s say your editor writes:
“Consider rewriting this sentence for clarity and tone. Ex: ‘She had never been so afraid in her life.’”
You might take that suggestion and revise it to:
“Fear like this was foreign to her, raw and suffocating.”
You’ve taken the note, improved clarity, and still kept your unique voice and style. That’s the sweet spot.
Tips for Blending:
- Use the editor’s example as a guide, not gospel.
- Ask, “What is the note really trying to improve?” (Clarity? Tone? Emotion?)
- Reread the section with fresh eyes and try writing it your own way.
- Trust yourself. You were chosen for your voice, don’t let it get buried in revisions.
When to Push Back (Gently)
Not every suggestion will resonate with you. And guess what? That’s okay. Editing is a conversation, not a dictatorship.
If there’s something you truly feel doesn’t work for your character, your plot, or your message, speak up. A good editor wants to hear your reasoning. The key is to do so respectfully and thoughtfully.
This doesn’t mean you should dismiss their suggestions entirely. Instead, aim to find a balance. In doing so you are blending your thoughts, message, and voice with the guidance your editor is offering to help bring your book’s full potential to life.
Example:
“I see why you suggested cutting this paragraph, but I feel like it’s a crucial moment for character development. Could we look at another way to tighten it without losing the emotional beat?”
You’re not being difficult, you’re being a partner.
Other Helpful Tips for Working with Your Editor or Publishing Team
- Take breaks between review sessions. Don’t try to do all your edits in one sitting. Fresh eyes help you stay objective.
- Ask for clarification if needed. If you don’t understand a comment, don’t guess. Just ask. Editors want to be understood. [ Can’t empathize this enough.]
- Don’t be afraid to rewrite. Sometimes the best revision is a fresh take on the same idea. You’re not erasing your voice, you’re polishing it.
- Keep a “cut file.” If you need to remove something but aren’t ready to let it go, paste it into a separate document. You can revisit or repurpose it later.
- Remember this is your story. At the end of the day, your name is on the cover. Make sure every revision feels right to you.
- If your editor offers review approvals; such as checking in once a section, chapter, or when the full manuscript feels complete, take advantage of it. These moments are valuable opportunities to assess how your book is shaping up and to make sure you’re both aligned. At Owl Mountain Press, we provide chapter-by-chapter approvals during the second stage of editing to ensure that both the author and the editor are satisfied before moving forward. This step helps maintain creative harmony and gives the writer confidence in the direction of their work.
Blending Their Edits with Your Voice
(And What Not to Do)
Sometimes an editor will suggest a sentence rewrite or offer alternative phrasing. This is where many writers freeze, worrying that they’re being “rewritten” or that their voice will be lost.
Here’s the secret: you’re not expected to take every suggestion word-for-word. What you are expected to do is take the spirit of the suggestion and revise in a way that still sounds like you.
Let’s say your editor writes:
“Consider rewriting this sentence for clarity and tone. Ex: ‘She had never been so afraid in her life.’”
You might take that suggestion and revise it to:
“Fear like this was foreign to her—raw and suffocating.”
You’ve taken the note, improved clarity, and still kept your unique voice and style. That’s the sweet spot.
✅ What to Do:
- Use the editor’s example as a jumping-off point, not a script.
- Ask yourself what the core issue is: Are they flagging clarity, pacing, tone, or flow?
- Revise in your own words, maintaining consistency with your voice and the emotional arc of the scene.
- If an edit doesn’t feel right, explore why it was suggested and how to address the problem in your own way.
❌ What Not to Do:
- Don’t copy and paste your editor’s example as-is into your manuscript.
Editors provide example sentences to illustrate a possible fix; not to ghostwrite for you. When you use their words directly, you risk dulling your voice and breaking consistency with your tone and style. - Don’t take every suggestion literally.
Editors are there to guide and support, not override. If something doesn’t sit well with you, explore alternative ways to meet the goal of the note while keeping your creative vision intact. - Don’t ignore edits out of defensiveness.
While you’re not obligated to accept every suggestion, dismissing feedback outright closes the door on growth. Even a note that stings may carry a useful truth underneath. Sit with it. Reflect. Then respond from a place of intention, not ego. - Don’t assume more edits mean you’re a bad writer.
More often than not, it just means your editor believes in your story and is taking time to help shape it into its strongest form. Edits don’t reflect failure, they reflect opportunity.
Final Thoughts from Owl Mountain Press
Editing is not about perfection, it’s about refinement. It’s about shaping something raw and honest into something ready to be shared with the world. And while the process can be emotional, frustrating, and even humbling, it is also deeply rewarding.
Working with an editor means entering a partnership built on trust. It means being open, vulnerable, and willing to learn. But it also means knowing your voice, holding your vision, and finding the balance between feedback and intuition.
At Owl Mountain Press, we walk alongside our writers every step of the way; not to change them, but to help them shine. We know how hard it is to hand over your work and ask for help. We also know how beautiful the result can be when you allow the process to transform you.
Keep your heart in it. Stay open. And above all, keep writing.
Jess Bicknell
Founder, Owl Mountain Press
Owl Mountain Press 
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