Tag: Editing

Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

How to edit and proofread your novel in multiple formats (and why you should)

Mandy Webster

When it comes to editing and proofreading your novel manuscript, one of the most valuable steps you can take is to review it in multiple formats. While most writers are familiar with the basic practice of editing in a Word document, there are significant advantages to seeing your work in different forms, such as ePub on a phone or tablet, in print, or even reading it aloud.

A woman proofreads her novel manuscript
Printing your novel manuscript on paper can help you spot errors you might otherwise miss.

Each format provides a fresh perspective, revealing unique errors, inconsistencies, and areas for improvement that might go unnoticed in just one version. In this blog post, we’ll explore why editing and proofreading your novel across different formats is a crucial step toward ensuring your manuscript is polished, professional, and ready for readers.

Continue reading “How to edit and proofread your novel in multiple formats (and why you should)” →
Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Proofreading your novel manuscript

Mandy Webster

Proofreading is the process of carefully reviewing a written document for errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting, and other issues. It is the final stage of the revise and refine step of the novel writing process. The goal of proofreading is to catch any mistakes that may have been missed during the writing, revising, and editing processes, and to ensure that the final document is error-free and polished.

a man proofreading his novel manuscript
Proofreading is a crucial last step in the revise and refine stage of the novel writing process.

Proofreading typically involves reading through the document word-by-word and line-by-line, and making corrections as needed. This may include fixing typos, correcting grammar and punctuation errors, and ensuring that the document follows a consistent style and formatting. Proofreading is an important final task in the revise and refine stage of the novel writing process and is often done before submitting a document to an agent or editor or prior to independently publishing the work.

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Finish Writing Your Novel Now!

Novel drafting rule #4: No editing allowed

Mandy Webster

Writing and editing involve different cognitive processes that use different parts of the brain. When you write, you typically use your creative and imaginative processes, which are associated with the right side of the brain. This involves generating new ideas, making connections between concepts, and visualizing scenes and characters.

Writing a novel can be like putting a puzzle together without knowing what the final product is supposed to look like. Image generated using artificial intelligence.

On the other hand, editing involves a more analytical and critical thinking process, which is associated with the left side of the brain. This involves evaluating the structure, pacing, and clarity of your writing, checking for errors in grammar and punctuation, and refining your prose to make it more effective and engaging. Editing your work during the drafting stage of the novel writing process can be counterproductive for a few reasons:

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Editing

What to do with your first developmental edit from a real editor

Mandy Webster

Brendan Raven Hill Dustbin - Black
If you’re like most writers, your first draft likely belongs in a trash bin. But don’t despair. A professional editor can help you turn your garbage into a work of art. | Brendan Raven Hill Dustbin – Black (Photo credits: West Elm)

Picture this. You’ve just completed your first novel and are ready to hire an editor to give it a swift once-over before you publish it. You call an editor who comes highly recommended, and she asks you what kind of edit you are looking for. Do you want a developmental edit? A copy edit? Something in between?

You’re not quite sure, so she asks you if this will be your first edit. You inform her that you have edited it at least five times yourself. Plus, a couple of your friends read it and thought it was pretty cool. Your mom, especially, loved it. Based on this info, your new editor recommends that you put your novel through a developmental edit first. The following is a list of 27 long and crazy steps that many first-timers go through when their first novel manuscript reaches this phase in the writing process: Continue reading “What to do with your first developmental edit from a real editor” →

Editing, Publishing

What do you mean, you’re looking for an editor?

Mandy Webster

handwritten manuscript
It’s going to take a lot of effort to turn this handwritten manuscript into a published novel.

Do you need to hire an editor to clean up your manuscript before self-publishing or querying agents? You may be tempted to skip this step to save a few bucks on publishing costs. However, forgoing the editorial process may cost you dedicated readers in the end. Poorly edited books garner terrible reviews, which then decrease the likelihood that anyone will want to purchase your books in the future.

When determining whether you need an editor, it is essential to understand exactly what an editor does. While attending a recent self-publishing seminar, I overheard a fellow writer discussing his need to hire someone to edit his manuscript. At first, I was tempted to offer my services. However, after listening to him talk for a while, I began to get the idea that what he was looking for was a proofreader, not an editor. The more he talked, the less I wanted to work for him. Continue reading “What do you mean, you’re looking for an editor?” →