Editors and Writers discussion
Novels need style sheets
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That sounds like a very good idea for aspiring authors like me...
Stylesheets should include more than names of people, although that's a start. They should include:1. ALL proper nouns
2. Specifics for how certain unusual text should be treated (text messages, flashbacks, "voices" a character is hearing, foreign language terms)
3. Serial comma or no serial comma (author preference)
4. Unusual spellings/features of text
5. UK or US English preference for spelling AND punctuation
Stylesheets are a godsend to proofreaders. I'm always shocked by authors who expect me to proofread when they haven't supplied me with a stylesheet. How am I supposed to know what's correct if I don't have a list in front of me to follow? I have seen authors mistakenly change characters' entire names, name spellings, and even genders! Style sheets are great for keeping track of those pesky little details, and they're also great to ensure 100% accuracy when your proofreaders scour your manuscript.
So yes, have a stylesheet!
as a writer this is a great thing to do as a service to yourself. even add major plot points, if something is supposed to be a misdirection.... I haven't done this with editing, tho maybe I may start asking for it. usually the level of editing I'm doing means I'm checking and tracking all this anyway
As an author I started using style sheets about ten years ago and they instantly helped when plotting and changing details. My characters went through several changes during the writing process from hair colour to age and relationships so it was invaluable having this nearby.As an editor, however, I agree these can be useful though I'm seldom given one with the novel by either a writer or their publisher. I therefore make one as I go along, making notes on characters etc and querying anything that doesn't seem right. Yes it might mean a bit of extra work, but it's my job to spot these things. It's what I get paid for.
Yes, yes, yes. When I'm editing, I create a stylesheet. But when I'm proofreading, I expect one to be completed already, either by the author or the editor. Absolutely. It's a must-have.
Absolutely, Heather, totally agree, though I find I get them from publishers rather than authors when proofreading, but is such an important aspect of the job. Plus as I work for several publishers as well as authors (on different sides of the Atlantic) it helps to keep track of who needs what style and when!
So, fellow editors, does anybody have suggestions for compiling a style sheet. I track names, relationships, physical descriptions, and also places, and the spellings/stylings of objects or brands or anything I've had to double check. And anything the author has given two different ways.I use a notebook and pen at first, mostly because I don't like having more docs open than I have to. Also, scratching things out and making changes leaves a trail that might help untangle things later. Eventually, though, I transfer my notes to a Word doc. If it's long, I will alpha it. If an inconsistency is posing problems, I'll ask the author for a clarification rather than query "Mathers or Matthews" again and again.
When I return the project to the author, I include the style sheet for their own reference. This can be especially helpful for an author who is writing a series. I once read (not my edit!) a series where the size of a family kept changing from six to five to seven. One book at a time, these were not important details, but for series fans catching the "quirks" became a kind of online party game.
Does anyone use a spreadsheet? Or use Word's features to make a style sheet more useful?
Excel frightens me. haha. I have a Word template I use that is alphabetized, so I plug everything in as I edit. But then again, I don't mind having multiple documents open. I always have about eight tabs open while I'm editing anyway. If you'd like a copy of the template I use, shoot me an email: hjseditingservices@gmail.com.
Longhare wrote: I use a notebook and pen at first, mostly because I don't like having more docs open than I have to I also use a pen and pad (even if it is a bit antiquated!)and make notes as I go of everything from names, eye colour, personality etc, everything down to what handbag a woman carries. I will also check dialogue and the person speaking, places, weather, time of year etc, as I've seen some strange issues in documents over the years! I also, like Heather have several tabs and docs open at any one time to check things if needed!
A busy tray drives me nuts. I don't like a lot of windows open either. I'm beginning to think about a new workspace though and would really love dual monitors. For a certain kind of organizational thinking, I still rely on a notebook and pen. Probably something in the way my brain is synched to the tactile sensation of dragging nib over paper. I'm also partial to using certain ink colors for particular tasks (something I've noticed in other editors as well) and avoid cheap ballpoints, which interfere with my thinking.
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Ah, I used to have dual monitors when I taught competitive journalism/yearbook. And they were BIG monitors. I hadn't even thought about it for my home office, but it's such a good idea. It'd be a tax write-off, so why not? Maybe throw in a bigger desk, too? I think most editors have a touch of OCD, and that's a GOOD thing. Authors deserve editors who are obssessive about their work. Perfectionism is a positive trait in the editing world, for sure. :)
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@Lin: Ha! I just read a book that has more proper nouns than I've ever seen in a book, although I don't read SF, so maybe that's not unusual? The whole time I was reading, I was thinking, "Thank God I'm not proofreading or editing THIS one." hahaha. Even the books I read for pleasure (generally traditionally-published books) have errors. But hey, I try to see my brain as a gift even when it feels like a curse. If only there were a switch we could turn on/off for editing...
*laughs* so true! I can't read anything now without spotting errors and it seems worse when its in a traditionally published book! But this perhaps the downside to our craft, and I'm sure we're all a little ocd when it comes to words which is definitely a good thing. If writers decide to pay us for our professional input then we owe them to be as thorough as possible :)
the curse is our brain automatically fixing errors for us. that's why I'm shocked when someone says their turn around for line/content (what you need a stylesheet for) is less than two weeks!
These things can't be rushed or the job isn't done properly. Believe it or not I once was offered a freelance job for an actual legitimate publisher who's turnaround was two weeks, and in that time they wanted me to both edit and proofread (the job description made it clear they had no idea of the difference between the two!) and read through each novel at least twice to deal with errors, while not really changing anything (even if it was wrong) in case it interfered with the authors voice. Needless to say I didn't take them up on the offer!
I am writing a historical novel, so I have a printed notebook with tabs for characters, maps, research and a timeline. I also have more research and notes on my computer. While writing I refer to all these notes and update them constantly. I find it's part of the fun of writing the novel.
Karen, that's excellent. From the editor's POV, it's a great sign that you find that part of the process fun. Often, authors are deeply engaged with the storytelling part of it (certainly nothing wrong with that) but find the details devilish and shy away from investing much attention there.Personally, I really enjoy this part of editing a novel--the puzzliness (new word I just made up) of it is fun. But it does add to the time I spend on an edit, and that is an expense a writer might prefer to avoid. Additionally, as a writer works out the puzzles the story always gets better, the characters more interesting.
I once read that a second draft is where you start to find your story, and I agree with that more often than not. So many changes took place between the 1st and 2nd draft of my first published novel from timelines, to ages, to careers. Some scenes were even completely deleted! Maybe its because I'm an editor and enjoy my work, but I enjoy the editing process. I'll sit with my note book and off I go. I don't add chapters as I write my first draft, though I know roughly where they will go so all that becomes part of my editing process along with formatting etc. I'll edit at least twice before handing it to another editor to check. But I love my little style sheets for this stage and would be lost without it. The process might take longer than us authors would like, but then surely we owe it to our story and creation to make it the best and most accurate it can be?
Henry Mathers (age 29, blue eyes, black hair, drives a Tacoma)
Karrie Mathers (Henry's mother, age 42, blue eyes, blue hair, has six kids)
Carl Mathers (Henry's father, age 48, prefers his oldest son, Sid)
June "Trixie" Morris (age 27, green eyes, red hair, lives at 456 Maple Street, 4 months pregnant)
Sid Matthews (age 34, lives in Maine)
So, if you look carefully, you will see that certain details raise questions. Sid's last name doesn't match the rest of his family. Probably the writer changed the family name but missed Sid. Karrie was only 8 when she gave birth to Sid and 13 when she had Henry. This is because in the first draft Karrie was 48, like her husband, but in the second draft the author decided that she needed to be younger, which meant also making Henry younger but the edit slipped between the cracks. The problem is compounded because Sid was moved from younger son to older son to explain the father-son issues between Henry and Carl. Changes like this are part of the development of a story and resulting errors are among the many things a good editor will sniff out.
Maintaining a style sheet will help the writer keep track of all the changes he or she makes. And your editor will love you if you provide them with a style sheet.