Does anyone here use online editing websites? I've been looking at prowritingaid.com and autocrit.com. A friend swears by them but I'm sceptical that a computer programme could actually help.
Thanks!
Freya
Does anyone here use online editing websites? I've been looking at prowritingaid.com and autocrit.com. A friend swears by them but I'm sceptical that a computer programme could actually help.
Thanks!
Freya
Hi Freya, I used Autocrit and found it to be a fabulous piece of software for an inexperienced, untrained writer like me. It does give explanations why certain words should be removed and helps identify the basic errors made. I self edited my 85000 word MS first, then used Autocrit and it really tightened the script up. I would recommend using the programme selectively as following EVERY recommendation it makes can take the soul out of the story. But you will be the best judge of the effect it has.
Good luck.
Freya, Stylewriter is also a good one.
Lorraine, yes those pieces of software go into great detail about the how's and why's of changing particular things when it suggests you should.
However, these tools are as good as you make them, and in my opinion should be used at the very end of editing (as in...once you've gone through and edited about 15 times already).
They're very helpful picking out words that your eyes are so used to seeing that you just glaze over them. Overused words and random spelling errors that your brain reads as okay, but which actually aren't.
Also, I enjoy putting my chapters in there to see my statistics. The average size of sentences, the pace. For a person who enjoys data, it's quite thrilling to see your 'art' portrayed in that way.
Can a programme like those mentioned explain why they say you must change things? Do they actually teach you anything? Not convinced. I think I'll go on editing the human way. At least you'll know I've actually thought about the writer as well as the words.