Revisions and Platitudes

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
I’ve heard writers say, “Revise it again, and it will be that much better.” But not every revision improves a manuscript. (I recently took a tight but slight novel and turned it into a seething morass.) Why do some revisions fail?

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
The concept behind the revision may not be big enough or completely thought out.

Look before you leap.
The new changes may adversely affect other aspects of the manuscript.

Rules are rules.
What works for one manuscript may not work for another.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Rejection letters tend to offer vague advice. Any comment beyond a form rejection is an act of supreme generosity from an extremely busy person, but the advice may not be specific enough to implement.

Time heals all wounds.
Eventually, the right solution will present itself – I hope.