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Position:Home>Books & Authors> What is a good method to edit my novel?Question: What is a good method to edit my novel!? I recently finished a novel length manuscript, and I'd like to start editing it!. The problem is, I am probably not the best person to do so!. Ive looked into a couple professional editors, but from the prices I saw, it would be in the 3k to have them do it!.
So, are there any suggestions on good places to ask for editing, or suggestions on what to look for/decent sources to help me self edit!? I really appreciate the help thank you!Www@QuestionHome@Com Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Do one re-read of it yourself!. I'd say wait a day or two (no need to wait longer), and just give it a once-over to proofread for typos and spots that seem awkward or don't make sense!. Have you ever read authors' acknowledgement sections!? They usually thank a few friends and family members for reading their book!. Pick a couple of people you can count on to read it and offer constructive criticism (and not put it on the web for all to see)!. You don't need professional editing at this point; that will happen when an agent or publisher decides to work with it!. A literary agent will certainly read it critically and offer suggestions if s/he decides to work with it!. You can look for grad students or professors at a local college to read your work for a price you can afford!. Or high school teachers, etc!. Just make sure they know whether it's intended to be a literary or commercial work and that they're willing and able to evaluate it accordingly!. One more idea is to find a local writers' group and have them read parts of it or someone there read all of it!. Do reread it yourself again a month or so down the road, after others have, and when you come to it fresh!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Put it away for a while--at least a month, preferably six weeks!. This will mean you'll be less familiar with your words when you go back to edit it!. You'll read what's there, rather than what you meant to write!. also, try reading it aloud!. This will help you catch repeated words, awkwardly structured sentences, and odd styles!. It's one of my favorite ways to edit!. If you have a trusted friend who reads a lot and is good at grammar, ask her/him to read it for you and mark places that need editing, give you feedback, look for inconsistencies or places where you aren't clear, etc!. A second pair of eyes, even an amateur one, can be a huge help!. also, edit on paper, not on your computer!. You will catch more things!.Www@QuestionHome@Com I get your point!. I usually try edit and RE editing myself, but it's just not the same!. As the writers, we must have seen our own manuscripts tens or thousands of times without really noticing it!. Soon, we discover that we can even memorize bits and pieces of our essays!. =P What I'd advice you to do is to look for a bunch of close friends and ask them to frankly, yet also politely (um!.!.!.might sound a bit contradictory) to tell you what they think!. They could start of with what they 1) like about the manuscript, moving on to 2) what could be better and then to 3) their advice for how you could improve!. Good luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com What I usually do when I edit is I have my husband read it!. So my suggestion is have someone you know read it and edit it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com |