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There is a saying: you write the first draft with your heart, the second with your mind. Editing is a necessary evil of writing if you want your manuscript to be in the best shape possible. My personal preference is to start each day of writing by editing the previous day's work. This gets my mind and imagination back into the story, and helps fine-tune the previous day's text. With each pass, the work should get tighter and tighter. Once I complete the story, I print it out, then do a line edit directly on the hard copy. I am always amazed at how much different this edit is. I catch so many more mistakes and change far more text on hard copy versus editing from the computer screen. I suppose one could edit indefinitely, but at some point you just have to say enough is enough. At this point, I usually have another set of eyes read my work. I have a pool of readers whom I now hire to read my manuscripts (technically oriented editors or literary people) and I always send the manuscript to my manager. If you are just starting out, then I suggest investing in an editor. A list of my favorites are on the intro page of WRITING TIPS. Please
don't ask me to read your work. I get asked this at least once a week,
and I always decline. I simply don't have time to edit someone else's
work, and I don't wish to be an editor. Once you get someone else's
opinion, it is time to take the next step in getting your book published.
Step 6: Finding a Literary Agent. |