Tag: editing

Most writers are not aware that it takes longer to edit than it does to write. They think editors whip through a dozen pages in minutes, and itís ready to go. Proper copy editing takes a great deal of time and is worth more than copywriting.

A good copywriter will edit the copy over and over because they know that copy editing is the key to their writing, presenting its very best. This is even more so when it is a book or e-book that has been written. Editing is an integral part of your writing.

• It will fine-tune the copy to ensure it is easy to read and comprehend.
• It provides a consistent voice throughout the writing.
• It ensures the information is presented in the best format possible.
• It fixes punctuation, grammar, etc. so that the writing looks professional.

When it comes to editing, there are several steps, let’s have a look at them.

Step #1 – Time to Get Critical
How well does the writing flow? Whatís the foundation? How well does the writerís idea shape up in Chapter One, and does it continue to flow from there correctly? How well does it conclude? You must analyze the writing and then make the necessary changes.

Step #2 – Edit the Entire Book
Now that you have completed the analysis, you know what needs to be done to fix the weak spots, so thatís where you go next. You should read the content aloud so that you ensure the words make sense when spoken aloud. Itís a good idea to turn to track on so you can see what changes are being made.

Step #3 – Stop Once and Repeat Again
You are going to do this step a few times. Youíll edit, then walk away from your project and come back and edit it again. You will repeat until you have corrected everything that needs to be corrected.

Step #4 – Grammar and Spelling
Now you are going to become concerned with the grammar and spelling, giving the material a once over, and then repeating as often as necessary to catch all the little mistakes.

Step #5 – Inject a Voice
Once the editorial flow is right, you need to start to pay attention to the writing tone and style. Reread it and pay attention that things are being said ìthe right wayî and that the same energy flows from start to finish.

Step #6 – Format the Text
This is very important ñ it includes headings, font, font size, etc. to ensure the writing format is uniform from start to finish.

Step #7 – The Final Review
This is it ñ the last critique. Make sure you have your critical eye working. You should have left the material to sit for a couple of days before you take on this final step. Your objective is perfection!