So, you’ve completed your ebook’s manuscript. Congratulations!
Time To Edit
Sadly, we’ve some dangerous information. Whereas finishing your manuscript is an incredible accomplishment, there’s a whole lot of work that comes between writing “The Finish” and eventually publishing your ebook.
Whereas which will appear daunting, modifying is definitely an incredible alternative to shore up your ebook and ensure it’s prepared for readers.
Through the modifying stage, you guarantee your manuscript does justice to all of the incredible concepts you generated in the course of the writing course of.
And for those who’re not certain the way to method modifying or what to search for, don’t fear. There are dozens of instruments on the market (like ProWritingAid’s grammar checker) that may assist make the method easier. On this article, we’ll demystify the modifying course of so you understand precisely what to search for (and the place to search out assist) while you’re self-editing.
Let’s get into it.
Make Your Record and Examine It Thrice
The very first thing to know in regards to the modifying stage is that it’s truly a number of phases rolled into one. Similar to you needed to write your ebook in phases, you’ll edit your manuscript in phases, too. Every of those phases is distinct. It is best to undergo every stage at the very least as soon as earlier than publishing.
There are a lot of colleges of thought round modifying, however to maintain issues easy, we’re going to interrupt the modifying course of down into three distinct phases:
- Developmental modifying: This stage is the primary a part of modifying, the place you’re taking an enormous image have a look at your manuscript. You’ll take note of characterization, setting, plot, and general story construction throughout this part.
- Line modifying: Throughout this stage, you’ll zoom into your manuscript, going line by line to verify your phrase alternative and sentence construction are clear and efficient. You’ll additionally have a look at grammar, fashion, and spelling errors to tighten up your manuscript. Generally, folks divide line modifying into two phases (line modifying and duplicate modifying) however we’ll hold it as one to make issues easier.
- Proofreading: Proofreading isn’t truly an modifying stage, nevertheless it’s nonetheless crucial for publication. Throughout this last step, you’ll make last-minute checks on issues like formatting, constant spelling, and font as you get your manuscript prepared for readers.
Self-Enhancing Guidelines
Now that we all know what occurs in every stage of modifying, let’s get into what it’s best to truly search for throughout every stage.
-
Developmental Enhancing Guidelines
Developmental modifying occurs after you’ve a accomplished manuscript. You’ll wish to have a look at your manuscript holistically at this stage to see general traits. Right here’s what to search for when developmental modifying:
- Does your setting haven’t solely an interesting location, however use of time, date, objects, and senses?
- Do your characters have clear objectives and a recognizable point-of-view?
- Do you’ve efficient arcs that transfer your plot ahead in every scene?
- Is your general story clear?
- Are there any factors the place your story is paced too slowly or too shortly?
- Are there any characters that don’t serve a objective and needs to be lower?
- Are there any scenes that don’t serve a objective and needs to be lower?
-
Line Enhancing Guidelines
Throughout line modifying, you’ll look carefully at every sentence to verify it sounds clear and might talk your concepts successfully. Right here’s what to search for when copy modifying:
- Are your topics and verbs the celebrities of your sentences?
- Is your writing readable on your viewers?
- Are you selecting particular phrases that specify precisely what you’re attempting to say?
- Have you ever stored up the pacing, various lengthy and brief sentences inside sections?
- Have you ever eradicated echoes and repeats?
- Have you ever used sufficient sensory phrases?
- Are your sentences punctuated appropriately?
- Have you ever mounted any spelling errors?
- Have you ever eradicated or decreased situations of passive voice?
-
Proofreading Guidelines
Proofreading is the ultimate step earlier than you publish your manuscript. Keep in mind, proofreading isn’t truly modifying: this stage is about making certain the consistency of your manuscript’s fashion and spelling so it’s prepared for publication. Right here’s what to search for when proofreading:
- Is each heading or chapter break capitalized the identical manner?
- Are margins constant all through the manuscript?
- Do you employ the identical spelling for phrases with a number of potential spellings all through your doc?
- Do you employ the identical formatting for acronyms all through your doc?
- Have you ever used the identical fashion of citation marks all through your doc?
- Are your fonts constantly sized and readable?
Self-Enhancing Improves Your Manuscript
Enhancing is a vital a part of the writing course of—simply as essential as the primary draft. Throughout modifying, you’ll make your concepts shine. Whereas modifying may appear intimidating, it’s doable to successfully self-edit your manuscript. Simply observe the guidelines outlined on this article and also you’ll be able to publish.
This put up was written by:
As Head of Training at ProWritingAid, Hayley focuses on constructing participating, useful studying content material for the tens of millions of customers who depend on ProWritingAid to make their writing clear and efficient. Hayley has a sturdy writing portfolio and has written for dozens of publications on matters associated to training, advertising and marketing technique, historical past, entrepreneurship, and extra.
LBF’s Hub is house to media, perception, and trade information, nevertheless it additionally presents firms the platform to advertise their services and products as a paid-for alternative. If you happen to’d prefer to showcase your organization, get in contact with the LBF Gross sales Workforce.
