I'm by no means a professional editor...sometimes I wonder if I'm even a good editor but I've done my fair share of the task. I did great in my English classes in college and I did get 100% on that facebook grammar test! Yes! Editing my book, however, has been a different experience. I find I get so caught up in the story, I end up with editing blinders on. I focus on the story and skip right over the nuts and bolts. Can you blame me? The story is the fun part.
I really need to rip those blinders off and burn them, though. For example, in The Heir, in a page and a half, I wrote the word "through" when I was supposed to have written it's twin brother "threw." As I read and kept finding the mix-up, again and again, I was a cross between amused and appalled! I can see getting caught up in what I was writing and doing it once or twice but eight times? (At least!) I fixed those mix-ups and hopefully any like them, but the truth of the matter is, I've probably missed more. It's so hard for me to set the story aside and focus on the mechanics. I try to. I really do but I get sucked in. I have a small army behind me though, who catch what I miss. I sure hope they know how much I appreciate them!
I did learn that when you upload a book to be published in whatever format you're using the characters are changed from letters and numbers to ones and zeros and then back again. (I found that great information here if you want more information on that.) Inevitably all does not go back to the original form it was in. Mistakes will be found no matter how clean the uploaded version is. So, if you find something along your way please comment here or send me a quick email and let me know what you found and where you found it. I may or may not disclose if it was an upload error or a me error! Ha.
In a way, editing blinders can be a positive thing. My sister read The Ordinary in a pretty rough draft form. We live in different states, so when she finished it, she texted me. She gave me a great review (yay!) and then apologized because she kept forgetting she was reading "her sister's book and got lost in the story." Yep. I really like it when editing blinders go on for that reason.
If you can't spend the money for a professional editor, I have found a few ways to help limit my editing blinders.
1) Read, read, read, and reread. I joked while editing The Heir that I pretty much had it memorized. Reading your writing over and over again helps take you out of the story. Third or fourth time through and you've fixed those places you weren't sure you had conveyed your characters feelings enough or added a little more excitement in that part you felt lulled in chapter sixteen. Getting your story to FEEL right allows you to set that part aside and focus on the nuts and bolts.
2) Grammarly. Grammarly is amazing. Most of the time I listen to Grammarly. It knows what it's talking about. Whether you're editing a book or a term paper for class, it's wonderful. It's free for the basic level. I have yet to invest in the premium level although I'm really close to doing it. If you've used their premium option I'd love to hear your experiences with it.
3) Slow down. I have to consciously make myself slow down and really look at each sentence. Sounds obvious but for me it's tricky!
4) Read it aloud. I discovered this quite by accident. My daughter wanted to read The Ordinary and I handed her a scribbled-on manuscript. Before long she came back and said she was having trouble reading through my corrections. This began one of the best ideas I've ever had...reading my book aloud to her! Not only did it give me a perspective I hadn't realized I needed but it was so great to hear her thoughts on the story. She would say, "Wait! No, you need to have them fill in the blank." It was very cool. For The Heir, life was a bit busier and we haven't had a chance to read it together, so I leave early every weekday and head to the car rider line at my daughter's school. It's the perfect place to read aloud without bugging anyone or worrying about spoilers.
5) Another set of eyes. I've had no trouble finding friends and family who are willing to read it before I publish. I'm grateful for all the help!
These things have helped me so much! But again, if you happen to find errors along the way, please let me know. I won't be offended at all. In fact, I'll appreciate it. However, I truly hope you get lost in the story and don't realize you happen to have on editing blinders as well. :)
Happy reading! Whatever that may be.
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