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[Prolixic]

Thanks MotoKid! Yes, I know what you mean.
By the way, have you or any guys here sent your manuscript to a freelance editor for editing? If so, have you ever felt risky?

Xeon.

I have never heard anything good about freelance editors or book doctors. Theres a thread here in the Writers Block I started a loooong time ago with a link to some publishing horror stories. Read it once and you'll take the time to work on your own editing skills. It'll scare the Alt key off your keyboard.

Here it is: Writers Beware

 

[Eugen]

By the way, have you or any guys here sent your manuscript to a freelance editor for editing? If so, have you ever felt risky?

Not if they are reputable. If you have no agent to go over your work before it reaches the publisher, and are not pre-commissioned by a given publisher for a given work, you might need someone professional to look it over before submitting it for consideration. I've had three different ones (not at once!) over the years to evaluate/ critique my first drafts. You could get quite complacent with your writing, and not see plot/ structure flaws that are obvious to a third party. If you have a partner or family that can do it, great! But, ideally, you want constructive feedback.

 

[Xeon]

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Thanks, Eugene and Prolixic for all your help!
I've also heard folks saying that a good way is to : complete your book.
Forget about it and then come back to read it and edit it after a week or two.

You will find that there's lots of things to edit and change.
Xeon!

 

[Motokid]

Xeon, how's it going? Have you tried anything that was suggested here? Please update us on what you find.

As far as editting yourself I've found that just reading your stuff out loud is a major help. You hear things differently than you see them. Even better is if you can get somebody to read it to you. Then you can hear the flow of your words from somebody elses perspective. Anyway, I'm sure that's not a new technique.

Let us know what you discover.

 

[Xeon]

Xeon, how's it going? Have you tried anything that was suggested here? Please update us on what you find.

Hi MotoKid! Well, I've just finished editing my book. There's lots of mistakes from gammar to word flow that I didn't notice before while I was writing the book.

Basically, I completed the book, waited for several weeks without touching it. Then I went back and look at it again. When you do it this way, you'll be in a more "impartial" and "less carried away" state of mind and will be able to see things from a clearer perspective.

This is no substitute for a good editor, no matter how great it is. When my budget permits, I will hire an editor.

Nice day!
Xeon.

 

[Eugen]

Well done, Xeon, for completing your novel. As you go over it, look at plot, ensuring you've covered loopholes. Make your characters wholesome and distinct. Dialogue carries your story along, and I concentrate on these with my redrafts. And when you think you have the best version your story could take, send it out to someone for a qualified opinion. Just remember, theirs is not the last say. Only you can shape your book.

 

[Xeon]

Thanks a lot, Eugene!

Good day,
Xeon.