I have been editing books for a little over a decade. I have had many conversations with aspiring authors, deciding whether to hire an editor. Most authors think they do not need an editor because they wrote it, and they know how to write. However, what most people don’t realize is that even though you wrote the story, you still need an editor. Most writers' brain processes information faster than our hands. Therefore, words are left out, and commas are omitted. My very favorite is incomplete thoughts that are thrown in the mix. Below, you can find helpful tips to help edit your manuscript.
Tip #1
Quiet Place
Find a quiet place with no distractions. This will help you focus on the manuscript itself.
Tip #2
Use a ruler
If you have a large manuscript, I suggest you use a ruler to underline the text so that it will help you stay focused on the different sentences.
Tip #3
Take a Break
There is nothing worse than trying to edit the entire manuscript in one day. If you need to take a break because your eyes are tired, it’s okay. You can start again with fresh eyes.
Tip #4
Read Aloud
Use the tools that are available to you. In Microsoft word, one tool I like to use is the read aloud tool. Using this tool may help ease your tired eyes.
Tip #5
Grammarly
Grammarly is an excellent tool to use to help correct your sentence structure and grammatically errors,
Tip #6
Beta Readers
As people to read your book and give you feedback. Also, ask them to make notes of any grammatical errors that need fixing.
Tip #7
Spell Checker
In Microsoft word, there is a tool that is very helpful. It is the spell checker. When you are not sure how to spell a word, this tool will help you spell words correctly.
Editing is not only about finding errors, it is about making sure you have a polished manuscript for your readers. Polishing your sentences and making it very easy for your readers to continue turning the page is very important. Don’t skip on editing because you don’t think you need it. Chances are you do.
Comments