I categorically believe writers should attend to 100% of any feedback/editorial notes received. Period. Full stop.
A clarification on what I mean by “attend to.” I do not mean automatically make every suggested change, but I do mean consider the notes carefully and decide to accept or reject them based on your own best judgment and intention.
Put another way, you are free to push back on any editorial note. However,
Pick your battles. If you reject every comment, then your legitimate, reasoned objections will be tossed in the “writers too difficult to work with” soup pot.
Be prepared to articulate your reasons for rejecting the edit. As an editor, I appreciate when a writer can do this well. Often, I can then give further suggestions on what’s missing either in clarity or content to support the intentions, or I can provide an expanded explanation of why a suggested change will improve the writing. Either way, the conversation is edifying on both sides.
One more caveat: not every person who hangs a shingle claiming “professional editor” qualifies. Always be self-educating. Always weigh feedback against the source.
