Monday 8 September 2008

Editors maketh the writer


I’m privileged to know and be in touch with lots of writers. I’m captivated by how they write, how they fashion their stories and characters, how they organize and research information for their novels. One thing that comes from this is that editing is a very touchy subject.

Writers have said repeatedly, that going back to correct the little things in their writing is an unremitting and thankless task. The thing is, our text is never as good as we want. We constantly seek perfection, we twiddle, we cut, we polish. But only when we get to the editorial stage with the publisher does the real novel start to shape up.

You think your manuscript to be perfect? Think again!

When a professional editor starts putting your manuscript into a logical sequence, and starts helping with character or story development, your story starts to read like a real book.
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If you’ve never worked with a true professional, then you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Editors help writers establish their voice and improve their writing. A good editor is worth their weight in gold.
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Be nice to your editor. She might just make you look like a proper writer!
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