Meerkat Books: Don’t Fear Editing!
Editing is, on the surface, a daunting and uncomfortable aspect of writing. If you are self-publishing, you will be relying on your own eyes and mind to perform this apparently labourious task, and that’s not easy. You are effectively asking your brain to critique, potentially harshly, its own work. Spelling and grammar issues may or may not be difficult to spoke, though spell-check features in writing software will at least make some of that easier. Spotting continuity issues or story problems… well, that’s a different matter altogether.
Nonetheless, you need to go over your work. A quiet read, chapter by chapter, will uncover elements you’ll wish to adapt or change. However, the most important part of editing is to get another pair of eyes on your work.
If you’re self-publishing, this can be tricky. Reach out to friends and family and see if they are prepared to help out. If you are willing to spend money, there are sites that offer editing services. It’s worth carrying out this exercise at least once.
If you have a publisher, they will usually have someone proofread your story. They’ll check for how it flows, suggest tweaks to structure, and have ideas for prose and grammar. It’s worth noting that you do not have to agree with every suggestion, but the editors are experienced, and they know what works.
They’ll also check out the story, running it via beta readers. A fresh pair of eyes is important, and once again worth listening too. I dare say that we’re all a little biased toward our own work, so having someone else take a look at the story itself is not a bad thing. Once again, you are not obliged to accept their suggestions, but remember, if you have a publisher willing to put their logo against your work, it’s worth taking on-board their guidance.
The work is worth it. A book that goes through editing is more polished, with better structure and a healthier flow. It can feel like a grind, but if you approach it with a view to bringing yourself one step closer to publishing your book, and in the process improving your book, it will feel more rewarding. It is certainly an important exercise!
‘Kat Comments