Good editing is what transforms an intriguing idea in a
first draft into a great story in subsequent revisions. Great editing will
improve a novel even further. Today, I’d like to give some praise and good
karma kudos to my latest editor, Angella Graff!
In addition to great feedback from my awesome CPs, I’ve
recently had my manuscript of Fort Defiance edited by the talented
Angella Graff, and it was certainly a worthwhile experience. I learn something new
every time my work is edited, and I’d say the top two lessons learned for me this
time around were: 1. Placing commas in forgotten instances, and, 2. Teasing out
elements of the narrative that best belonged in dialog. All in all, Angella
helped make my book a whole lot better, and for that I’m very grateful.
To learn more about Angella’s wonderful editing services,
or to read some of her own books, checkout her blog and FB accounts for more
info. So what stage has your latest draft reached? How do you handle the intricate
web of edits and rewrites?
Her services seem really reasonable. Glad you found someone worth while. I'm currently having a short story edited, and hoping to turn it into a series of shorts.
ReplyDeleteAs a writer herself, she believes in keeping prices low, which I really appreciated:)
DeleteGlad your manuscript is stronger with her help!
ReplyDeleteThanks Alex, that's my hope:)
DeleteSwitching scenes from narrative description to dialogue is one of the best ways to pick up the pace of a slow section. Things are almost always more interesting in dialogue form. Good tip.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm almost done with my WIP. I feel like I'm clawing my way to the end of this novel on my hands and knees. And then, you know, I get to go back to the beginning and do all that fun revising and editing stuff. I've already got pages of revision notes for myself. Blah. But also Yay!! :P
Sometimes, I feel liek I'm moving full circle - I used to use too much dialog, and now I'm putting more back in again. Glad you're reaching the end of your current draft though:)
DeleteIt's my dream to work with a professional editor some day. I feel like I'd learn SO MUCH... really neat, Mark. Fun post. It's all about continuing to learn and improving our craft!
ReplyDeleteWell, Angella's prety reasonable if you're interested in working with an editor:)
DeleteSomehow, part of me cringes at this thought. the other part is giving me a swift kick.
ReplyDeleteEditing def requires a diff thinking cap from the one used when writing the first draft, but it's a necessity nonetheless.
DeleteMark, I just recently worked with a freelance editor and wow...I learned so much. Amazing what a professional set of eyes can see, huh?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your kind comments about my book cover. I really appreciate it!
Good luck with your revisions :)
Ditto:) Glad you found an editor that gave you such great results:)
DeleteAh, those pesky commas ;)
ReplyDeleteI love good editors. They make us look good ;)
Nicely put:)
DeleteThanks for sharing this resource with us. I'm not there yet, but am accumulating the available resources when the time comes. All the best to you through this process.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie:) Just curious, but what types of resources have you been gathering?
DeleteGood share, Mark. I'll be looking for a good editor on a present WIP. Meanwhile, I'm glad you are happy with the results of her editing input. Are you ready to send your novel out yet?
ReplyDeleteI want it as clean as possible first, but I'm leaning more and more toward self-publishing.
DeleteShe sounds great. Thanks, Mark!
ReplyDelete