I just finished my novel. From start to finish. Now I have to edit and cut fluff. Have any advice for someone like me? I am a visual thinker. I think in pictures. So even when I am reading out loud, I um cannot always catch SPAG. Also, I just really wanted to share that I finished my novel. Hooray!
YAY! well done you! Spend some time editing. If you have a narrator programme, use it. Sometimes, hearing someone (or something given that it's a computer) read it out to you will help you pick up errors that a grammar/spell checker will miss. (my faves are 'form' instead of 'from' and 'out' instead of 'our') Then get a few trusted people to read it. Someone who knows grammar (but not a teacher) and someone who knows books/reads a lot. If you can afford it, get a professional editor to go through it. Once you've done that, go through it again yourself and then ... well, the next step's up to you, either look for a publisher/agent or go the self publishing route. Good Luck! x
Leaka, That's a bit step (finishing the first draft of a novel). Some suggestions for editing: Leave the story alone for a while and work on something else. Change the font when editing. It'll look different and make it easier to catch errors and typos. Yes, read orally, but there are some programs that read text. They are mechanical and lack inflection and proper timing, but once you get used to it, it can help note improper wording and some typos. Finally, edit in layers--work on, plot holes and tangents, dialogue and description, then grammar and typos, then punctuation--whatever combination works. That doesn't mean if you catch something different than areas of focus, you ignore them Keep a notebook or file, noting thoughts and concerns to address as you go, or to review in other editing passes. Good luck as you move forward.
Thank you. Its cause I have accent. Those who know me, know I was originally was from Greece. So, my English is better than when I won that short story contest. Just my words never sound beautifully English. Cause Leaka is not beautifully American, lol. I am just so excited I want to skip around outside. hehe
I'd say know your audience well, and make sure your critics fall under the umbrella of people who would still read this book if it were written by a complete stranger; or 400 years ago, etc. But to just write a draft of a novel is a huge accomplishment, and something I'm not close to being able to do. So congratulations!!!
then imagine your glee when you finish this next round of hard work and your paperback version drops through your letterbox. If you are skipping around now, you will be absolutely flying around then!
I know, but I accomplished something. That's worth something because for a long time in my life I felt unfulfillied. I never finished college. I am a failure. I cannot keep a steady job. I am a failure. This is the first time in a long time that I felt like I am not a failure.
Cool! But we need more info. Some people write in almost finished draft. If that's the case you need a beta reader and/or a professional editor. Other people, like me, write out the draft and then we begin writing the book. In that case you need to start writing the book now.
My draft is the novel. I don't ever do a draft and then the novel. I edite the draft into a final draft.
And now the real work begins.... But it's fantastic to have this done. Must be a weight off the mind.
It's not so bad. Just set it aside for a while and let it settle, and/or find a proof-reader you trust.
I will do so. Thank you so much. I'm just so scared. I don't care about fame. But this has always been something I wanted. I want to feel a little less invisible in the world. This is the moment where I feel afraid. Because I want to prove to myself and to those who doubted me. I am worth something. Question about Paper Rater, would you suggest using it?
It's someone who reads through the manuscript and points out any mistakes you may have overlooked. Make sure you get someone who knows what he/she is talking about and won't hold back when offering advice. Oh, and congrats on finishing!
I wouldn't worry so much. My personal opinion on writing is that it's just a book. Obviously your self worth stretches far and above pages with words, but I understand that there is a feeling of achievement and that you accomplished something. For you.
Don't give up getting a publisher until you've given it a go. On to the task of query letter writing if you think it's ready to go.
too all who advise hiring an editor and any who consider doing so... as for hiring an editor, since this comes up so often on the 3 writing sites i post on daily, i've had to prepare a stock post, to save typing time... hope you won't mind: in re hiring an editor [i provide editing services to clients, though i caution against it], you need to accept the fact that the money you spend on having someone else do what writers must be able to do on their own will most likely never be recouped from the sale of your work... so, if you do go ahead with it, be sure you don't need to make it back, because not even the best editor in the world can ever guarantee the work will be accepted by a paying publisher, or will sell well enough to come close to equalling what you paid, if it is... same goes for if you self-publish... also, no editor who can do a good enough job for you will be cheap... it will cost many hundreds, to several thousands of dollars [US] for a good, professional editor to bring your book up to publishable/readable standards, depending on how much work it needs, as there are several levels of 'editing'... from simply correcting typos, punctuation and minor grammar glitches, all the way up to a complete rewrite, if the writing quality is poor... those who offer to do it cheaply, will not be able to do much [if any] better than you could do on your own... anyone can set up shop and call themselves 'editors' these days, but few will actually be worthy of the title, so vet any you consider using very carefully and be sure to get a sample edit before entering into any agreement for services...
