A writer friend asked me whether it was really a good idea to pay a professional editor to read her manuscript. My immediate response was yes, but the question made me pause and reflect on my personal experiences.
I have had all four of my novels edited by pros. In addition I participate in a read and critique group (every week now for about 15 years.) I won’t go into critique groups here since I previously blogged about that subject. As to professional editors, here are my thoughts.
There is huge value to editors who “copy” edit, that is, they read for spelling, grammar, syntax, etc. You always miss something: a comma where it doesn’t belong, the incorrect use of a semicolon. In terms of the broader picture: the plot, characters, structure, tension, conflict, on and on, the pro can be very helpful. . . or not.
In my Triangle book, the professional editor I hired was so intrigued with the historic story that her suggestions would have made me totally change the book. It would have become a historic mystery rather than a historic mystery that is solved today with modern technology. She had her own vision for the book. But who was writing this?
The editor I hired for my Civil War book, however, was extremely helpful. He gave me an idea for a dynamite ending that I hadn’t even considered. It totally changed the story for the better.
Before you consider hiring a pro, however, do your own self-editing. Believe it or not, there is a lot you can do to improve your writing before it gets the going-over by someone else. Some suggestions:
Edit in small sections at a time. If possible, reread the section before and then edit the current
5 to 10 pages. Also, read aloud (or to your dog or cat.) I can’t emphasize enough how important this is. You’d be surprised what you hear that you didn’t think you wrote. Dialogue may sound stilted, tension weak, setting inappropriate. Often I will come away from my reading out loud thinking, ugh, did I write that?
Some things to look for when you’re self-editing:
- Do you want to turn the page?
- Did you stumble over awkward phrases or clunky words when you read aloud?
- Were you confused by your own plot twists?
- Did punctuation mess up your reading?
- Were your characters boring, too flawed (yes, that’s possible) or totally unbelievable (unless you write Bourne thrillers)?
- Were there plot inconsistencies ie: a character appeared after she was murdered?
- Were there setting inconsistencies? It was hot as Hades one day, snowing the next?
- Did you get your facts right? Very important if you want authenticity.
You can be your own best editor. But, just to be sure — reread, rewrite, read aloud. And again x 3. Now hire a professional for the final read.
Lynne, as usual a very helpful post. I can recommend Self-editing for fiction writers from Browne/King, one of the books on writing I found truly helpful. If anyone is interested in a sample chapter, feel free to mail me at pisano DOT leonardo57 AT gmail DOT com.
Thanks, Leonardo. That is an excellent book. I use it a lot.
I highly recommend a professional editor, but ask around to get recommendations for one who likes the kind of story you write. For my last five books, I have been fortunate to find one who is superb in every aspect of editing; grammar, spelling and punctuation as well as point of view, plot and characterization. She never tries to change my plot but tells me ways to improve it. Tightening up the writing is something she does, striking out excess words. I feel that it is worth the fee I pay her. I can still argue for my idea, and sometimes win, but mainly I follow her advice. I hope I am getting better at self editing as a result of her help. I also have my sister, who has been an editor of technical journals, do a spelling and punctuation check. She lives in the US and one of my series is set there (I live in Canada) so she can tell me if I need to change the wording to American idiom.
Thanks, Anne. You’re lucky to have found folks to do the various editing tasks a book requires. Write on!
As a starter, I do all you’ve prescribed in this post except getting a professional editor. Would get one when my writeups becomes as serious as yours.
I agree. Beginning writers should take advantage of critique groups, however. They are invaluable in picking up story blunders, structure problems, as well as grammatical errors. When you’re ready to submit to agent or publisher, then an editor is very important. Thanks.