What this editor does

It occurs to me that some of you might be interested in what an editor's process consists of. I can tell you about what one editor does. Below is the description I send with my contract, and my contract specifies that I will do the edit as outlined in the description.

Of course, it is also a list of what you must do as an author -- you could post it somewhere as a checklist of the things you need to focus on. The one thing I provide that you can't is a fresh eye.

Following is what I send to editing clients, along with a contract that specifies protections for the author, the fee, and other functional details. It begins with a caveat. . .

editorrr.com

Full developmental edit and critique

A caveat: keep in mind that any edit has a strong subjective component. While an experienced editor will have professional knowledge of craft issues (voice, tense, point of view, grammar, etc.) and will lend an objective eye to those issues, the editor still has a personal sense of pace and tension, and that's subjective. One writer told me that two agents said the following to the same suspense novel: "The pace is too slow." and "You need to linger more."

If what I do and suggest make sense to you, if you see improvement, then my edit will work for you. Now, here's some of what to expect:

Step 1. I read the whole manuscript to get a feel for your writing style, voice, and an understanding of the story. As I read, I edit line-by-line, looking at language for pace and clarity, and making comments on storytelling and craft issues. This is done onscreen.

The issues I address issues include:

• Tightening the writing (you may see lots of adjectives and adverbs go away);
• Spelling;
• Sentence structure;
• Story flow & pace, rooting out dead spots;
• Plot flaws, continuity inconsistencies;
• Staging (how action is visualized);
• Effectiveness of dialogue
• Character development;
• Setting scenes and description;
• Transitions;
• Use of active voice;
• Proper word usage;
• Clarity and "weak" word choices;
• Subject/verb agreement;
• Overuse of words;
• Redundancies, clichés;
• Coaching on writing craft.

Step 2. I print out the edited manuscript and go through it again, editing line by line. I make more notes, edits and cuts, word choice recommendations. You will see additions and deletions noted on your manuscript. I may suggest relocation of sentences, paragraphs, sections or even chapters. It's likely you'll see suggested deletions of material to enhance story and pace.

Step 3. I enter these additional edits and comments in the electronic manuscript file, catching even more as I do. This amounts to three trips through your manuscript. The edited manuscript will have all changes recorded in the file but not made permanent -- that's for you to decide. There will be suggestions on what you need to do in places, often accompanied by an example of what might work. These examples are thought-starters that you can incorporate, build upon, or ignore, as you wish. Authors have incorporated my ideas for stronger endings.

Step 4. I write a critique letter with an overview my thoughts on the strengths and shortcomings of the manuscript. If I've found a flaw in plotting or structure, I'll do my best to suggest a solution as a thought-starter for you to apply your own talent to. My goal is the same as yours -- a crisply told, engaging story. All comments are aimed at achieving that goal. It is, of course, entirely up to you to agree and adopt or disagree and discard.

Will my edit guarantee that your work will be accepted by an agent or publisher? Nobody knows what will guarantee success. That's where story comes into play. But your book will be as well written as you can make it, and then it's up to the forces of the marketplace.

And that's it. I don't know what other editors specify or promise, but I suspect it's similar.

The result is a Word document file that I email to the client. I use Word's Track changes and Comment features. Track changes shows the writer every deletion and addition I make, which they can accept or decline. Going through an edited manuscript and accepting theses changes can save a lot of retyping. My comments range from "Nice." to long paragraphs that may be coaching -- pointing out a shortcoming, explaining why it's a shortcoming, and how to fix it -- or "thought-starters," ideas for narrative that deals with issues. In a recent edit I wrote over 40,000 words of comments. An extraordinary amount, but that's what the author needed.

For what it's worth.

Ray

Free edit in exchange for posting permission. You send a sample that you have questions about and of which you'd like an edit. I won't post it without your permission.

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© 2006 Ray Rhamey