Love vintage? You HAVE to check out French, Pink, Poodles and Pearls
Tomorrow begins Easter weekend and for me, time to edit. There's a few manuscripts backed up to edit, and a few more waiting to be written, but this weekend I'm focusing on some short stories. I don't usually read short stories or write them, but I've been dabbling as a way of tightening my skills. Editing is its own skill that needs to be strengthened. There's a few ways you can do this:
- Search the Net - There's loads of great sites out there, try this one: The Editor's Blog
- Take a workshop - Look up your local writer's centre, mine is QWC
- Read a book - Grab something like Revision and Self-editing by James Scott Bell
- Get professional help - This is what I recommend if you funds allow. I have a wonderful manuscript editor helping me with my girls' mystery novel. Through this process I'm learning a lot and my manuscript is becoming much tighter. It's important you find someone you're comfortable working with, I'm very appreciative to my editing angel, Margot Finke.
Enjoy your weekend, and your chocolate!
Hi, Charmaine,
ReplyDeleteGood advice. I've got some editing of my own to get through and the long holidays this weekend is an excellent time to get this done.
Hi Charmaine,
ReplyDeleteI just got a comment on my blog (the enchanted oven) that was meant for French,Pink, Poodles, and Pearls. Not quite sure how that happened, but it made me pop over to see you and FPPP's. I enjoyed both of my visits, so I am glad you commented me by accident!
Have a great one,
Lisa
The James Scott Bell book is the bomb! Great post, Charmaine. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not the best editor but I do like those sites you've come up with.
ReplyDeleteHi Charmaine!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by Falling for Fiction!
This Easter weekend I'll be spending finishing my WIP. Ah! I hope I reach that goal.
It will be an Easter miracle :)
I wish my Easter weekend included editing. But cleaning and egg hunting is what I'll be doing instead.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Easter.
Very practical and useful tips. Thanks! And Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteSarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)
Really? You linked to me? Well thank you Charmaine. How did you find me? That post is a year old already.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice on editing. I'm a click and post kind of girl, but I'm getting better with all the great tips out there.
Happy Easter.
xoxo
Good tips. Editing is something that you should never stop practicing. My first drafts are so messy, I get lots of practice. :)
ReplyDeleteI think editing is the area that suffers most from self-publishing. Hiring a pro is a pretty good idea.
ReplyDeletemood
Moody Writing
Hello Charmaine! Wonderful post. Lots of great advice.
ReplyDeleteSusanne
PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER
Good tips! Visiting from A to Z challenge :) Glad to find your blog. Also I am a professional and free-lance editor as well as a college english teacher if you ever want editorial assistance :)
ReplyDeleteEditing for Easter - very nice. Don't forget to get a bit of chocolate or other sweets to help you along.
ReplyDelete*~MAJK~*
Twitter: @Safireblade
A to Z Blog Challenge
Thanks for sharing these super tips. The more I edit the more I think a pro is the way to go. Problem is, there are lots of Jiffy-lubes out there. But, Happy Easter. Keep a few jelly beans close for nibbles.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your editing weekend! I hope the chocolate works its magic on your words :)
ReplyDeleteAlana @ writercize.blogspot.com
A to Z Challenger