When I set to revise my first novel, A Mage's Power, I resolved that I would do my own editing. I didn't want to pay hundreds of dollars for someone to do something that I could do myself. It made me feel lazy. Also, I didn't want to wait for them to get to and then finish my manuscript. Finally, I notice story elements that can be improved when I edit myself which is something an editor would not notice because they lack my background on the story. (See my post on "Useful Problems" for more information). As I do a third "Absolutely the Last Revision" I'm considering changing my policy for the sequel.
Time and again I am amazed by the errors I can miss. Double Double words; words in places the wrong; words that (are) missing, and words that the are unnecessary. It truly blows my mind when I find such errors in my manuscript and confirm that such errors exist in earlier copies of the same chapters. I don't know if it's my familiarity with the material that is the problem, my tendency to skip along so I can continue writing or both. It makes me want to pull my hair out.
After I publish A Mage's Power (it will published no latter than New Year's, by the way) I will begin revision work on the sequel, "Looming Shadow". Once I get the story where I want it I will likely find an editor to correct the errors listed above.
One thing is for sure: I will be aware of sticky keys, especially the 't'.
I have the same problems. I think it's matter of being too familiar with your manuscript and skimming over passages without actually reading them.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I found useful is that there is a text to speech feature on the software I use, and I run it while reading. Any weird phrasing or pronunciation sticks out when you hear it outloud in a dispassionate robot voice.
I'll have to look into that. What do you recommend?
DeleteThe software I use is yWriter. It's a free novel writing software, kind of like Scrivner-lite I think. I actually wrote about it on my blog after reading this post, but you can always check it out at the creator's site: http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter5.html.
DeleteVon, below, has a good idea of just using a plug in if you're not interested in a whole novel writing software package.
I found that one of the best self-editing tips for me is to change the presentation of what I read. When I convert my stuff to eBook format, I will find errors that I skimmed over literally dozens of times while writing and proofing on the computer.
ReplyDeleteAnd like Jennifer above, I use text-to-speech software as well. It's amazingly effective.
Another editing option worth considering is swapping critique or proofing tasks with other writers. Crit/proof for crit/proof kind of arrangement. But in the end, a professional edit (development, line, copy, etc.) is always a good idea.
I hadn't considered that last one. It sounds like fun.
DeleteI read over stuff in different formats. I'll read it on the computer, tablet, phone, printout. I also just recently started doing text-to-speech.
ReplyDeleteI will always to text-to-speech. I think in the future as my writing improves (8 to 9 years), and have more disposable income, I'll likely hire an editor.
Until then, I like the idea that I can go back and find holes that need to be filled or things that can cut. A book that helped me a lot was Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Browne & King.
Oh, for text-to-speech I just used a plug-in for chrome that I downloaded from the Google Play site.
DeleteI had no idea text-to-speech was so popular. I'll have to try it. Also, thanks for the book tip.
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