Rewriting and Editing; Yes, you must.
Editing is no longer the hell that I once thought it was. Know why? Because now I understand what I'm doing and finally I see the bigger picture, which is a polished and beautiful story.
Many writers feel that editing sucks out part of their soul and indeed, after 300+ pages of rewriting, moving, correcting, and deleting you do feel sucked of all energy and thought. It is exhausting but it is also exhilerating.
I've been rewriting a manuscript (I say rewriting, but it's not as bad as it...
Many writers feel that editing sucks out part of their soul and indeed, after 300+ pages of rewriting, moving, correcting, and deleting you do feel sucked of all energy and thought. It is exhausting but it is also exhilerating.
I've been rewriting a manuscript (I say rewriting, but it's not as bad as it...
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But you have to consider cost, many people cannot afford professional editing when they're starting out. That's why it's wise to utilize workshops, other writing friends and readers. Edit yourself, pass it around, USE the comments and suggestions given by other people who KNOW what they're doing and edit again. Repeat the process until you're satisfied. One bonus of self editing is that if I had sent my work to a professional editor, forked out the cash I didn't have, I would have learned nothing. I would still be writing the way that I was and thinking it wasn't half bad and not understanding the changes made to my manuscripts. I have learned more about writing and rewriting doing this on my own, with help from many amazing friends, than I would have if I just hired an editor.
That's not to say I wouldn't use an editor, of course I would. I'm not masochistic either. As soon as I can afford one, I will have one.
Afford? Ha! Renee I live on one Social Security check a month. When I have projects to buy, I plan 2 months in advance, put that money away until I can cover the cost. Yes, it's hard. I've also been favored by receiving a reduced rate (I call it a senior discount, whatever). I have not had the support of others reading my full MS often, you and the group are an angels.
The reasons I submit to a professional editor is that they know what publishers want, the professional way to present your work and what and where to sell your genre. You can't go wrong listening to them and you won't learn it from the agent or publisher until you receive that "sorry, Charlie, StarKiss don't want tuna like you." LOL I'm going to an article in a few and read a forum on editing by an editor. I'll let you know what's said.
Hate to say this but writing and publishing is costly.
It is, but I wouldn't ever recommend that an author not self-edit. How are they ever going to learn? You have to know what it is you're doing wrong. Even if you manage to get an editor, wouldn't you like to know what you're doing?I am glad I can't afford an editor, seriously. I recommend anyone starting out to self-edit for a while, read, ask questions, join workshops, learn the craft and why you can or can't do this or that. Then if you'd rather have an editor, go for it. But you'll know if you have a good one or a bad one because you'll have an idea of what is good writing and what is not.
Personally, I like to do things for myself. I hate just blindly accepting things that someone else is doing for me. I question everything. That's a good thing.
I agree that editors know what publishers want, but I want to know too.
People who have to struggle to succeed, who don't have the easy road to getting published and hitting the Best Seller List, often write books with more depth and quality, soul and heart. You can see growth from one book to the next, rather than producing the same shallow plot with every new book. It worked the first time, right? Why should they try anything new? Why should they study and grow?Learning to self-edit is hard. That's why I decided to focus on smaller works this year. Editing 5K to 10K words is easier than 150K.
That is an excellent way to learn too, Rita. It is intimidating to look at 300+ pages and the temptation to throw up your hands and give up is huge. I wish I'd started with smaller works, it would have taught me many things more quickly than the larger manuscripts. But the Irish in me refuses to back down from a challenge. That's what my mom calls it anyway. So the more frustrated I got the more determined I was to learn this editing stuff so that I did it right the next time.
We have three children, a house with a rather steep mortgage, medical needs for Kennedy that OHIP doesn't cover, and we are trying to scrape what we can aside for later so for me to expect anyone to sacrifice anything to edit something I can do on my own, is selfish and I won't do it. I think if you can, and it's only you that's sacrificing, then go for it. Of course you should. But I'm not in that position and many writers out there are in the same boat.
All, I am not saying to not self-edit first. Renee, I absolutely understand your position in life with family and expenses. In a way I'm blessed and cursed--I have no children, husband and rent a senior apartment. No one has my back and I'll probably grow old alone.
Years ago, the first professional editor I approached asked if I intend to self-publish or find an agent and go for a publisher. Because if I wait for a publisher, not to waste my money hiring an editor. The publishing house has it's own (paid) editor and will probably change your story anyway. That's another thorn in my butt--changing my story.
Still my funds are limited. But I know me. I get lost in my head and mess up on paper. I need an outside opinion. Because I don't intend to wait for a publisher to "pick me up," I lay all the ground work before submitting to a printer.
I also started with short stories. But I'll say that writing these 3 pending novels it has been difficult. I have a background in writing press releases and articles--shorter than a flash novel. I think I've transferred that to writing novels. I would just as soon write short stories than novels and may do that after I'm done with the pending MSS.
The older I get the shorter my memory and patience becomes. I just saying.
I think where the disconnect comes from is that as a reader I hope that with each draft and project the writer gets better. i know as a teacher/director and student the most frustrating thing is to continuely get and give the same note over and over again, and that is feels disrespectful when the note is ignored, it makes you feel like your opinion is not respected and that it is a waste of your time if the person is not going to grow and move forward.
Lauren, If you are referring to my error of not reading the instructions for the January exercise, I believe I agreed and accepted my fault.I didn't read the rules thoroughly because I was moving through fast yet wanted to contribute. Yes I was way off and I admit it. But I wasn't being disrespectful to Renee as the leader or ignoring her.
I hope we're done with this.
If I don't get it out of my sight, I'm going to beat it to death!
Bottom line, you must consider having your MS edited more than once. Forget about self-editing.