by Jean Kavich Bloom
Authors can possess an effective tool for warding off indifference, criticism, or even outright rejection of their writing: self-editing.
Authors can possess an effective tool for warding off indifference, criticism, or even outright rejection of their writing: self-editing.
If your work is professionally published, it will most
likely go through several levels of editing (and yes, the many different labels
used among professional editors is confusing):
·
Macro,
substantive, developmental, or content editing: This is the view from 50,000 feet when an editor is looking at the substance of the whole work. Does it speak
to the intended target audience? Does it make sense; hold together; present a
logical flow-of-thought (or plot)? Is each chapter strong enough, or do some need work? Will
the opening chapter or paragraph give the reader the most incentive to keep
going, or is that incentive buried later—or even missing? In fiction, does the
plot have gaps; are the main characters well-developed? Is the pace good? This
is the editing level that can result in the author being asked to do some
rewriting, maybe some reorganizing.
·
Line
editing: This level is my sweet spot as a professional editor. Paragraph
by paragraph, line by line, word by word, the line editor works to tighten up writing to maximize the reader’s
experience and reduce reader distractions. He or she addresses repetition, awkward phrasing, wordiness, lack
of continuity or sense, gaps that need to be mended, points that need to be
fleshed out, and so on. Often, he or she discovers problems created by rewrites.
But that’s okay; those can still be fixed.
·
Copy
editing: I combine line editing and copy editing for my
clients, but some houses separate the two. At its most basic, copy editing ensures
consistency, that the chosen style guide has been followed, and that grammar,
spelling, and punctuation are correct. Note: Proofreading is not editing, but a
final task to try to ensure no error has been missed.
My advice is to wait until after you’ve written a
draft that satisfies you before self-editing by level—and then wait some more.
Hopefully you aren’t so close to a submission or posting deadline that you don’t
have time to step away at least a couple of days, if not more. You need to gain perspective with fresh eyes and brain cells.
Then try self-editing level by level, one at a time. Ask yourself the
same kinds of questions an editor will.
·
Macro,
substantive, or content editing: Does your content hang
together? Are all the elements what they need to be to tell your story well?
·
Line
editing: Is your writing as strong as it can be? What needs to
be reworked or addressed? What problem (such as a contradiction) might you have
inadvertently created when you wrote your last draft?
·
Copy
editing: This level might not be your bailiwick, but you’ll be
surprised what you find if you read with the intention of spotting errors. And
do run a spell check!
As I said, you can find many helps online and in books
to develop self-editing skills. And no matter what we do, every writer needs an editor. (You can probably find a problem with this post because I, uh, didn't have an editor or a proofreader!) But consider how employing each editing
level—just as professional editors will—could take
your self-editing to a new level of expertise and success.
Jean Kavich Bloom is a freelance editor and writer for Christian publishers and ministries
(Bloom in Words Editorial Services), with nearly thirty years' experience in the book publishing world. Her personal blog is Bloom in Words too, where she sometimes posts articles about the writing life. She is also a contributor to The Glorious Table, a blog for women of all ages. Her published books are Bible Promises for God's Precious Princess and Bible Promises for God's Treasured Boy. She and her husband, Cal, have three children and five grandchildren.
I am grateful to my editors. I value their fresh eyes and keen attention to detail.
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