Editing, How About You?

[T.S.]

I've just begun the first editing phase on my novella (gak!) and thought to ask what your methods were for sifting through all the glory?

As well as the obvious grammar and natural feel to your writing, what do you look for, what do you look to remove?

I can already tell some things need to be adjusted, ever so slightly, but in the long term I don't want my editing to become destructive. What do you consider your point of completion?

[Aileen]

I've found by having the manuscript set out double lined, and character spacing at 0.25pt. Helps massively

Also I find that if I cannot see anything needs to be edited, then I'll send it to either a proof-reader/Beta reader. Who'll be able to give me a critique.

With is what you need to sent to to agents and publishers.

[Jennifer]

Other than obvious grammar and flow, I look for redundancy. Have I used that turn of phrase too often, have I repeated a word over and over again, are my descriptions unique and not overused or cliche, etc.?

I also either read my book aloud or I set it to kindle to read aloud. This helps to pinpoint problems in flow or dialogue issues. When a book is read aloud, you can really hear the cheese or the lack of substance.

If your book has already been looked over closely, then your editing shouldn't result to destructive. I bet you have a good feel for if it's flowing well or not, if the plot is working or not.

Of course, it's easy to nitpick a book to death. If you feel really good about it, and you've started nitpicking, then I think it's best to pass it off to a trusted reader who can give you good, constructive feedback.

[[deleted user]]

Agree with Jennifer. Reading the manuscript aloud is a great way to spot those parts that cause you stumble over one thing or another, especially with dialogue. I even recorded my reading once and listened to the playback just to catch pauses or unnatural breaks that I otherwise might have missed.

[Tricia]

I agree that reading it out loud is a great way to catch stumbling blocks, but you must also remember, you are very close to your work. It's very helpful to have an editor go over it, even after you think it's perfect, because your eyes can play tricks on you - putting words in that aren't there or details that should be there. Beta readers are also helpful in this stage - anything to get fresh eyes on your work.

[Ottilie]

I just keep reading through it looking to make sure character flow and plot points are right. I make sure the grammar is right (that I'm aware of) sometimes if I am not really sure I'll read a part out loud, especially with dialgue.

[Peg]

I agree that reading a manuscript aloud is a great way to see where the writing stumbles. I use this strategy a lot when I'm working with a writer as an editor or writing coach & it's very valuable.

Also, even though I've written more than 30 books, I hire a professional editor to go through my manuscripts. Not just for a line edit to correct grammar or spelling, but to evaluate pacing and plot and dialogue. This is how I grow as a writer, and beta readers or other writers who are friends rarely have the skill set or the objectivity to help me spot my weaknesses as a writer so I can work on them.

I typically do stages of editing. I go through it first looking for inconsistencies in plot or characterization, for places where the story drags or bogs down, for places where I've gone down rabbit trails that I may love but may not be pertinent to the story. After I've cleaned up the story, I zero in on the grammar, punctuation, spelling, word choice, etc. Then I do a stage that is about smoothing it out, polishing it, making it the best it can be in all the fine points. This is when I read aloud.

That's what works for me.

[T.S.]

Great points! Everyone has well designed methods for editing and it seems most definitely involve a two man (or more) job.

I've never tried reading my work aloud. I will have to do that this time around. I too have phases/stages/layers of editing, what a complicated process :p. When it begins with me as the editor I call the work a rough draft. When I am ready to let others see it it becomes a first draft, and when it is ready to shop around or market it becomes a manuscript. These words help me manage which phase I am in when working on a project (I would never share a rough draft for example - that's for my eyes only).

When editing with others, do you allow them to critique the characters and plot in the way that they have an impact? For example, one time I described a villain character to have an iron jaw, meaning he was very firm and disciplined. My friend suggested that maybe the character should have a jaw actually made of iron. Those sorts of suggestions weren't the point of why I let him ready my story (he was supposed to read for plot holes and poor writing). Is it unavoidable? Acceptable? What should be the role of the editor/beta readers? What do you think?

[Jennifer]

T.S. wrote: "...Is it unavoidable? Acceptable? What should be the role of the editor/beta readers? What do you think?..."

When it comes to beta readers, I tell them what I'm looking for (e.g. plot holes, weak characters, does the story flow?, is it enjoyable?, etc.). Depending on the type of beta reader (avid reader, specific genre reader), I know the feedback will differ. Normally, I take all the suggestions given, even if I didn't ask for that specific type of feedback.

So, partly, I think it's unavoidable to get feedback on areas that you may or may not have asked for. Readers/writers/editors can't really help it, and if something stuck out, then they'll likely have to say something. Feedback is always acceptable to me. It doesn't mean I'll always take the feedback and make changes, but it's still good to hear it.

I think the role of an editor and a beta reader are very different. An editor would be looking for anything and everything and offer suggestions for how to polish the book. Beta readers always seem to me to be the people who are at the very beginning of your editing stages and offer suggestions and tell you how they "feel" about the story and characters. They don't always offer major edits or ideas for you. But a beta reader might be as good as an editor, too. I think it depends on the person.

[T.S.]

Incidentally I have posted a "Beta Readers Wanted" add in the Readers section of this group. Anyone interested in participating?

Message me in private and we can discuss it.

[Thayer]

Tightening the prose without losing ambiance is essential, I think. It's one of those things that is easier said than done, but after awhile becomes second nature...or at least close to being so. Sometimes, an entire paragraph can be boiled down to two sentences or eliminated altogether. It becomes an art, no doubt.

I think having an editor is the best course to follow. I dearly wish I could afford one. I think an editor is less prone to have bias. The downside of critiques is the unavoidable bias of the reader. Some will loathe the style and others adore it. This will color how the book is perceived all the way around. Some will be confused and others not at all. I agree with Jennifer that any input is valuable.