How do you edit your story?
I've never edited a book before and I don't know how I'd go about doing it. So far I've been editing some punctuation and grammar mistakes but I don't know what to do next.
Any help?
How do you edit your story?
I've never edited a book before and I don't know how I'd go about doing it. So far I've been editing some punctuation and grammar mistakes but I don't know what to do next.
Any help?
I think Adrian's list is pretty good, too. But one thing which should perhaps have more emphasis is reading your stuff aloud.
Yes, when you do you'll probably feel a bit of an idiot. I know I do. But it's an excellent method of bringing to light mistakes, particularly passages which may be perfectly clear to you as you write but won't make sense to the reader, or as Adrian said to ensure speech sounds realistic in the reader's head.
It's quite a good idea to leave your completed manuscript a week or two before you do this, if that's possible, because you'll have forgotten a proportion by then which makes problems stand out more.
Self-editing is a tough job and you have to persevere with it to get the best out of what you've written. The main problem is you're close to your work, which is why most advice recommends a professional editor. But it is possible, if you're prepared to be really self critical and take time over getting things right.
Best of luck!
Haha! i was going to say: Adrian posted a great post about editing a few questions previous! But you beat me to it :)
Debbie x
My Basic Editing Checklist
1) Plot - Linked Cause and Effect throughout my novel.
2) Storyine - Check for Weaknesses, Repetition and 'Shoes and Socks'
problems.
3) Characters - Their Function and Actions. Eg. Are they always acting, speaking, and thinking in character.
4) Sign-Posting - In my chapters have I indicated to the reader where there next part of my story is leading.
5) Topic Sentences - Do my paragraphs have topic sentences to indicate to the reader what the next section is about.
6) Chapter Titles - Are my chapter titles suitable.
7) Chapters - Do my chapters have a dramatic opening, a signpost, and end with a cliff-hanger, or a hook.
8) Dialogue - Does it make sense when spoken aloud.
9) Streams of Thought - Does it make sense when spoken aloud.
10) Descriptions - Are they vivid, but not too long.
11) Settings - Do my settings have a strong purpose. Are they generally motivated.
12) Prose - Does my prose flow. Does it have pace.
13) Keep my sentences as short as possible.
14) Fix clunky sentences.
15) Cutting Superfluous Text - Every-Word-Must-Earn-Its-Keep.
George Orwell:
(i) Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
(ii) Never use a long word where a short one will do.
(iii) If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
(iv) Never use the passive where you can use the active. Use short sentences for pace, and write in the active voice.
(v) Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
16) Grammar.
17) Punctuation.
Readers are free to copy my guide my basic guide and editing checklist.
I hope you find it useful.