It's almost Thanksgiving and already my mind is shot. I have been editing for clients and thinking about opportunities. Yes, other writers trust me enough to pay me to edit their Indie books. Any idea why?
I think it's because I don't like to mess with a writer's voice or style or rhythm. So what do I do?
1. I suggest corrections for grammatical errors. Yes, I know dialogue and introspection aren't always grammatically correct. However, I'd like to give my writers the chance to make both clear and sharp and effective. Do I leave fragments in scenes? Of course I do, just not a lot of them. I have even added a few fragments.
2. I correct punctuation. Yes, there are rules, and a misplaced comma can make a BIG difference in meaning.
3. I add emotion and impact to scenes to engage readers without changing the tone the writer has set.
4. I let my writers know when I get lost in their scenes or moving from scene to scene and suggest ways to transition or fill in blanks.
5. I use each writer's words as much as I can and delete extra words that dilute the effect of a sentence.
6. I do let my writers know if actions, dialogue, or emotions don't make sense and I make suggestions.
7. I do try to read each manuscript at least twice so I can find typos and spelling errors.
As long as I work for my writers and for myself I have options and control of what I say and do. Now about those folks who wonder how an editor can miss a spelling error or three.
What would you want an editor to do for you? The secret is still a secret for this week.
Haunting Refrain is still free on Amazon for Wednesday. Go get it!
Happy Thanksgiving!
