Editing is the act of improving a piece of writing. Questions with this tag should focus on specific editing techniques or ways to improve editing skills. If you are submitting a piece for critique, use the "critique" tag instead.
2
votes
1answer
55 views
Where to find editors to hire for tech blog?
Recently, I secured a job with big MNC. Now, I want to concentrate on it and appoint 2-3 editors to look after mildly popular tech blog.
Can you guys suggest where should I search or post to hire ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
Maintaining the consistency of voice and spontaneity throughout a piece
So straight to it, I don't write very long pieces. Usually poetry or flash fiction and a smattering of short stories whenever it needs to be longer, though I have aspirations (mostly just dreams) of ...
2
votes
1answer
79 views
How can I prepare for a career in instruction writing and editing?
To technical background authors (e.g. Isaac Rabinovitch) who would possibly work in teams with non-technically trained writers:
How can I prepare myself to be able to do what you do?
How can I ...
1
vote
3answers
95 views
Critique: Make excerpt more visual/flow better
I have this excerpt I'm not sure is fluid and visual enough:
Peter came out of the café rubbing his tummy. The chipmunk had a smile on the
face and seemed content.
Not too far behind him ...
5
votes
3answers
157 views
How to minimize language mistakes while writing
While it's true that:
Editors do proof reading for you, and
word processors have spell checking and grammar checking
you do not always have an editor available, and software tools aren't perfect ...
11
votes
4answers
709 views
Where is a good place to find beta readers?
Beta readers are important to perfecting a novel/novella/short story. They give you a fresh set of eyes, offer opinions, and can be a great moral boost. But where can you find good beta readers? Are ...
2
votes
2answers
110 views
Where can I find lists of commonly used words to avoid?
I have a theory that good prose style comes in part from avoiding complicated, abstract, and pretentious words. Are there any good lists of words to avoid, preferably with suggested alternatives? I'm ...
0
votes
1answer
45 views
german tourist or German tourist? [closed]
I have learned that 'german' as a noun, written with upper case letter whilst 'german' as an adjective should be with lower case letter. Please guide me more by posting the rules if necessary, thank ...
-1
votes
1answer
39 views
Curriculum Vitae editing/writing services for PhD (non-US) [closed]
I am asking this on behalf of a relative of mine. He has a PhD with a concentration in Policy Analysis and Environmental Science and is trying to get a position in either a university/public sector or ...
4
votes
3answers
481 views
Any experience with Serenity Editor software?
Has anyone had any experience with Serenity Editor editing software? What's the difference between the Standard version or the Word add-in? What kind of results can it get?
If nobody has used it, ...
6
votes
1answer
171 views
how should a writer use version control to track drafts, rewrites, and revisions?
I'm a writer, not a programmer. I'm just now for the first time learning about version control and how it works, and I am wondering how version control could streamline my workflow.
In a previous ...
4
votes
2answers
89 views
What is the role of editors in news media today?
Back when rocks were soft and the world wide web hadn't yet been invented, I worked on a college newspaper that, I was told, followed the same patterns as professional papers. (That is, the skills we ...
1
vote
1answer
42 views
Describe all corrections as clearly and unambiguously as possible
I have a paper that will be published. The editor sent me an email to return corrections.
The requirement:
Please follow one of the following two options for returning proof corrections:
1) ...
7
votes
4answers
310 views
Is the first draft of a novel usually shorter than the finished work?
I finished the first draft of a novel I'm writing. Right now, it has 17000 words. I've heard that novels these days range from 60,000 to 150,000 words, so I'm a little bit worried (I'm hoping to have ...
3
votes
1answer
71 views
How do I change a novel from first person to limited third person?
For various reasons (increased clarity, and an interested agent), I'm rewriting what was once two first-person POVs into a third person limited POV.
Other answers have previously established the ...
9
votes
7answers
209 views
Text Editors. Suggesting & Tracking Changes to Plain-Text Documents
Many word processors are capable to tracking and displaying changes made to a document. Those changes are typically displayed in special markup supported by the editor. E.g.
But when using a plain ...
1
vote
2answers
75 views
Possible interactions of punctuation marks with the word “however” in a novel
When using the word however in my story, I feel like using a semicolon before it disrupts the flow of words in the readers head too much.
So, is the usage of a comma or semicolon necessary in front ...
4
votes
7answers
268 views
How many errors should I expect from a proofreader?
I hired a proofreader (typos, commonly confused words, minor grammar issues etc) to look at my work, which I plan to self publish.
She found most typos, but from a 66,000 word novel, missed about 10. ...
9
votes
5answers
575 views
When should a chapter end?
When writing a novel, when should I end a chapter?
Note that I'm not talking about chapter word-count (that topic was discussed here). I'm interested to know when should I end my chapters ...
14
votes
6answers
825 views
Finding before/after examples where writing has been improved, to learn from
I'd like to see a series of example paragraphs, showing before/after a rewrite, to give me specific examples of how writing can be improved.
Is there anywhere that shows such things? I once read the ...
2
votes
1answer
64 views
Looking for some tips on how to improve writing [closed]
I have just completed my first draft of a novel. Now the story is completed it's time to capture the style so the reader can engage in the story. I want to make sure the story style is easy enough for ...
13
votes
9answers
520 views
How can I catch more errors when I proofread?
I have a problem where I often proof my own writing and I don't catch all the errors while I am reading through it. I often miss entire words out of sentences or find myself repeating words. I can ...
3
votes
2answers
143 views
How much $ to calculate for an Editor
I plan to self publish a book (non fiction). Currently I have 150.000 characters, but when it's done I will end up with around 250.000. I am not a native english speaker but write the book in english, ...
1
vote
3answers
94 views
The Best Title for my Skill Set [closed]
I'm about to branch off into the freelance world. I'm starting an LLC and I'd like some input on what I should title myself as the owner. For example "creative specialist" or "creative technician" or ...
6
votes
8answers
639 views
Correct spelling errors while writing or after you've finished?
With the "write, don't edit" rule in mind, how should one handle mistyping?
I usually stop or go back to fix the error as soon as I spot it, but often I feel this breaks the flow of writing.
Should ...
3
votes
1answer
100 views
How can I improve the effectiveness of my examples to grab the recruiters attention?
I am in the process of answering the question please indicate any leadership roles you have held for a particular job application but still feel as if my replies lack a certain crispness and flow. So ...
7
votes
2answers
132 views
How do I escape my own experience?
When writing academic text, you're often in the position of having to write introductory or explanatory material for your audience. Usually you write this kind of material after you've explored the ...
6
votes
2answers
123 views
If I'm going to hire a copyeditor, do I need to do any proofing myself?
For my book I'm planning to self-pub, I aim to hire a copyeditor / proofreader at some point.
The question is this: Should I do any proofreading myself, other than using a spell checker? Currently, ...
6
votes
1answer
266 views
First-time meeting with publisher & editors (What to expect)
My fiancée is a first-time children's book author. What should she expect from her first meeting with the publisher and editors? Any advice?
They've already seen some samples of her unpublished ...
15
votes
7answers
342 views
When editing for a person, how much can be changed?
The context is a technical document that is written by one person and then sent out for review by others. The reviewers change word tense, change from active to passive voice, and make other style ...
-1
votes
1answer
65 views
Does this flow nicely? [closed]
I've started this short story. In essence past this part it's a conversation this intro is to just sort of "set the stage". Does it work? if not what sort of revisions should be made?
Man is an ...
3
votes
5answers
208 views
My first act is lengthy. And I cannot shorten it. Any Suggestions?
After the great amount of encouragement that you all gave me here, you'd be happy to know that I finally started writing my novel and I'm writing whenever I get time. Special thanks goes to Lauren for ...
1
vote
3answers
740 views
How to write a powerful but uncomplicated conference biography?
I am working on a bio for a development conference I am presenting at. My writing style causes my Flesch Reading Ease score to trend high. While I like what I have below I'd like to simplify it a bit ...
1
vote
3answers
120 views
How can I condense a description of a web designer/developer's work into a one-liner?
How can I condense this sentence into a one-liner?
Being alone on the project, this web designer/developer held the responsibility of
- communicating with the client and the end-users,
- defining ...
11
votes
2answers
462 views
Is Scrivener involved in the editorial process, or is it strictly a writer's development tool?
Is there any reason that an editor should know how to use Scrivener?
I generally see manuscripts after they're out of draft but before proofreading. (I'm an editor.) However, I see a lot of talk ...
2
votes
3answers
105 views
Is it a bad idea to linger too long on a first draft?
I'm currently working on the first draft of a screenplay, and it's not very good right now.
It's little things; some parts go too quickly or slowly, other dialogue exchanges need improvement, and ...
2
votes
1answer
129 views
Style signatures and uncommon formatting patterns
Style signatures are bits of words and phrases used consistently throughout the entirety of a work (but not necessarily among my unrelated works). I would like to try using style signatures in a work ...
0
votes
1answer
105 views
How well would this beginning sell the book to readers? Not necessarily for money
Disclaimer: English isn't my native language.
A while back, I posted this and this. I got... well, reviews. While not outright helpful (ie. indirect, which is the whole point of critiques, I guess) ...
8
votes
4answers
382 views
When writing on paper, how do you move things about?
I am amazed thinking how people used to write before the computer ever came about. Before that, everyone was forced to write on paper.
I'd very much like to write on paper but my ideas come in a ...
1
vote
1answer
90 views
How to make out that my work doesn't require any more editing?
Considering that I'm writing a novel or a short story story (fiction) and I penned down the first draft. And then I began editing it, but how to make sure it doesn't require any more editing. I mean, ...
0
votes
2answers
75 views
Fixing fundamental flaws of structure and composition under deadline
The Backstory:
I have a project due in the next few days and noticed about halfway through the editing, rewriting and revision process that my initial approach to the subject matter and my argument ...
1
vote
1answer
48 views
How can a practical learner get up to speed on APA quickly?
I'd like to learn the APA style guide, so that, in addition to the fiction and general non-fiction I work on currently, I can start accepting academic editing jobs. However, I know very little about ...
9
votes
2answers
180 views
Are online critique groups a good substitute for editors?
I'm thinking of self publishing. Now what all the blogs tell me I have to do is hire a professional editor, who will see any plot / character holes, other story problems etc. (For the moment, I'm not ...
4
votes
9answers
238 views
Trying to indicate that the frequency is annoying
I am trying to state that a particular question is not annoying, but its frequency is. I have come up with the below sentence, but I feel like it could be worded better.
It is an annoying question ...
5
votes
3answers
481 views
Different kinds of editors
I've noticed references to different kinds of editors such as copy editor, line editor and development editor. I'd like to know the different categories of editors and their job descriptions.
15
votes
5answers
2k views
Submitting a novel for publication: do editors still expect Courier font?
About ten years ago an agent told me not to submit manuscripts in fonts other than Courier (or Courier New) and to double-space lines. He said editors were prejudiced against manuscripts that looked ...
-1
votes
2answers
121 views
What help is there for a technical reseacher/writer that can't edit?
I've got a personal professional goal - I want to write a thesis, build a system, change the world. That's my way of saying that my thesis needs to be something I can develop into a functional system, ...
4
votes
4answers
251 views
Best text procesor— keyboard focussed UI
I am a programmer by profession and am looking for good text processors to help me with my blog writing. Word(MS/OpenOffice) has felt too clunky, because of the interruptions(corrections,formatting ...
0
votes
0answers
51 views
POV: how not to mess it up [closed]
I am having a miserable time with POV. My story is from one person's point of view. I keep slipping into other POV. When I interviewed people, and wrote articles for mags and newspapers, I never had ...
12
votes
2answers
137 views
How do you avoid the problem of a collaborative work having separate voices?
I've not done collaborative writing before, but I've read several works, and sometimes the text strikes me as having a split personality: some parts were clearly written by one author, while others ...
