Editing 101: Why You Need an Editor!

So, you've finally finished that manuscript of your Great Novel. Time to publish! But wait, is it the best manuscript you can produce? Or perhaps you're ready to send that proposal to your dissertation chair but it just needs a little...something. Perhaps you're ready to put yourself out there on the next leg of your professional journey, but that old resume from 2011 just doesn't...pop...anymore.

These are all times when we all could use a little help getting our written projects polished and ready for debut. That's where a professional editor can come in and help you take your project to the next level and showcase all of your hard work and skill sets in the best light possible! Even I use a professional editor to edit my manuscripts, and I'm an editor, myself. I just know that even though I am a good editor, when it comes to my own work, I tend to be "blind" to my own errors because in my head I wrote everything perfectly, but my eyes will always deceive my brain when it comes to seeing those mistakes. Ugh!

Many people associate editing with proofreading. However, there are three basic types of editing:

Developmental Editing:

Here is where an editor assesses your writing for basic flow and continuity. A good editor will also suggest where you can revise for clarity, add supporting ideas and details, and if needed, improve general flow. In a novel, for example, a good editor will help ensure that if Character X has grey eyes in Chapter 1, she has grey eyes in Chapter 30. Or in an academic paper, a good editor will ensure that you are adhering to whatever manual style that is required throughout your manuscript.

Line or copy editing:

Here is where an editor looks more closely at your manuscript and checks for proper sentence structure as well as grammar and spelling errors. A good editor will also comment on general flow and make suggestions for improvement if necessary.

Proofreading:

This is the stage that most people associate with editing. In this stage, an editor will check for typos and punctuation errors.

*Always remember that a good editor will make suggestions for you to accept or reject, and should offer you a free initial consultation of at least 30 minutes.

*Always get proposed services in writing, and always indicate that you agree/disagree with those proposals.

*Always remember that proposals can be modified, but GET MODIFICATIONS IN WRITING, AND MAKE SURE YOU AGREE IN WRITING TO ANY PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS.