- Get critique letter or email. DO NOT OPEN. DO NOT READ.
- Wait until you are in your safe place.
- Apply essential oils.
- Pray, if you pray.
- Decide to take a nap instead, just in case this is the last time you are able to find peace.
- Oversleep.
- Read editorial letter.
- Go back to sleep. DO NOT THINK ABOUT THE LETTER. DO NOT EMAIL EDITOR IMMEDIATELY.
- The next day, email editor to say thank you and acknowledge receipt of editorial letter. Ask for a few days to process things.
- Do not actually process things. Probably best to continue avoidance tactics at this point.
- When avoidance time runs out, go back to safe place.
- Apply essential oils.
- Pray, if you pray.
- Re-read editorial letter.
- Boil letter down into themes.
- Journal about each theme. Make a list of questions.
- Finally reply to editor.
- Repeat steps 1-8 with editor’s reply.
- Ask for time to process again.
- Do not actually process.
- Stay busy. Let the revision requests exist in the back of your mind while you let the sting and fear subside.
- Optional: take Ativan or similar prescription drug. Not optional: take nap.
- Depending on deadline, keep revision requests at the back of your mind until they begin to tiptoe toward the front.
- When they have stealthily made their way to the front of your brain AND you feel excited, return to safe place to make a plan.
- Revise.
JACKIE LEA SOMMERS 