Betty's Tips - Jul/Aug 2016

Hello Dear Readers,

It’s done! I have finally completed my manuscript for Dreams of the Eggplant. I thought it would never be done, but now I’m in love with it all over again. My writers group has given me feedback every step along the way, but before I get involved in sending it out to agents or editors, or deciding to self-publish, I need to edit it.

My first stop will be to use the wonderful app, DraftMap, created by a member of the Bethlehem Writers Group. It identifies all the usual errors we writers make in first drafts, including repeating words, writing in passive voice, or using adverbs or clichés. It also checks for readability and style. (I don’t know how it does it, but it’s an enormous help.)

Next, I think I might need a professional editor. Actually, after readingIt’s the Book Editing, Stupid, I'm convinced. But what kind of editor do I need? I found definitions of different types of editors at The Creative Penn Then I realized there are more types when I read Editorial Confusion. I’ve already used CPs (critique partners), so the next step is, I guess, a Line Editor.

But how do I find the right editor? Here is list of criteria to consider when selecting an editor. Cost, of course, is always a factor, so I need to do my homework to find the best editor within my budget. I don’t expect to be able to afford an editor from a Big Five publisher (a term that identifies the big players: Hachette, Harper Collins, Macmillan, Penguin Random House, and Simon & Schuster). But there are many talented, professional editors out there, and I look forward to the search.

Proofreading is a separate skill, and probably the last editorial step before I submit my baby to agents or decide to self-publish. A friend showed me her proofread manuscript, and it was covered in scribbled notation—like reading Sanskrit. I need something that will help me decipher that, so I turned to A Guide to Copyediting Marks. Ten Rules of Proofreadingshown at the bottom of this link start with never proofreading your own work. Okay—I get the message!

But, perhaps, my proofreader will use “Track Changes” available in Microsoft Word. I know some people find it easy to use, but for me, it’s a challenge. Then I found help here for “using track changes without going insane.”

I’m not sure whether I’ll try the traditional publishing route, or whether I’ll consider self-publishing. Whatever I decide, I’ll know my manuscript is polished and ready for you to enjoy. (You will buy my book, won’t you?)

Happy editing, everyone.

Betty Wryte-Goode

Betty Wryte-Goode is a writer, mother, and wife who lives in the Lehigh Valley. Her passions include writing, reading, shopping, gardening, and exploring the internet. Betty is always looking for writing tips, so if you have any you would like to share, please send them to her through our Submissions/Contacts page.