editing

Some hints and ideas I picked up at the convention this weekend from some writing workshops.

First and foremost, know how to write.

The first cursory editing pass will focus on spelling, punctuation, and grammar.  Sure you won’t pick up everything but it’s a courtesy to your editor that they will appreciate,

Next will be the active vs the passive voice.  Technically this is part of the grammar check but it is often trickier to spot and I am frequently guilty of this sin.  Most editors and writers discourage the use of the passive voice so it is vital to minimize the use of it as much as possible.

Next, try reading your work out loud.  Most of the writers agreed that if you are unsure of a sentence or paragraph that reading that section out loud will often help a lot.  You can apparently tell if a phrase or sentence is awkward sounding or not just by hearing it.  They also advocated the use of text to speech programs for this as well.

Now your work is ready for another living soul to go over.  The editor or beta reader.  Who should be your guinea pig?  Keep it away from family and friends.  These folks love you and think the world of you and for the most part will never give you the honest criticism that you need.  Who else need not apply?  Anyone that doesn’t like the type of story you wrote.  Those that don’t like horror will be somewhat hesitant to read horror and really won’t appreciate the nuances in your story.  Same with other genres.

What criticisms are and are not valid?  If someone tells you “I really don’t like the way you’re writing your story” then that is clearly the wrong person to edit your story.  You must love what you write.  After all you wrote it.  I mean don’t go and refuse any changes at all.  Be flexible but recognize that what’s on the page is a part of you.  Anyone that doesn’t like what you are writing is not a person you want editing your story.

What should they say?  “I see what you are trying to do here but I don’t think this is the right way to do it”  That is a professional trying to help you.

In many ways the editing process is harder than the writing process.  You put yourself down on paper and someone comes and leaves bright red gashes on your body of work.  Each scratch out and note is like a new scratch on your own body.  But remember, at the end of the process you will probably come out with a much better story and it will tell the tale you want told in a much clearer and smoother manner than you could have possibly done on your own.  That’s the power of a good editing process.