I am a copy editor. Like most people, when I’m not working, I read novels for enjoyment. When I come to a mistake in the writing, I grimace and then go on, hoping that this was one of the rare times an error has escaped the author’s notice. When I see another error, I grit my teeth and groan. I consider whether to continue reading or not. If the plot has got me hooked and I want to find out what happens, I hang in there. Then I come across another error, and on the very next page another one, and I am wishing I had never started this book. But I don’t like leaving things unfinished, so I carry on. The errors are frequent and I check the author’s name to be sure I never buy another of his or her books. In misery, I dutifully finish the book. It could have been a good story, but it was ruined for me by so many errors.
I don’t like to find fault with other authors. Having written some books, I know that we all make mistakes. But have these careless writers never thought to have a copy editor look at their work? Yes, it costs a bit to pay for this intensive scrutiny of our writing, but there is no point in publishing a work that will kill sales of any future books we might write. Why would anyone buy another of our books if we published something full of mistakes – something so obviously not ready to be put out there into the readers’ world?
Okay, so what’s my point? If you are a writer, here are some ways you can ensure that your book is the best it can be before publishing it.
- Have someone you trust read your book, chapter by chapter, possibly as you are writing it. Listen to their “gut reaction” comments and consider making changes after you get another opinion on that comment. Have them draw your attention to any errors they may find.
- When you finish writing your book, read it aloud to yourself, scene by scene. How does it sound? Does it flow? Does it sound clunky and improbable? Perhaps it’s the contrived dialogue. Would this character really talk like that?
- Read it again, fixing any errors you have marked and rewriting any of the dull language.
- Use the Find feature in Word to find overused words. Change these or leave them out – whatever works. Find is an excellent feature of Word for finding other instances of what may be a recurring error. If you see an error that you think you may have repeated later in the book, why not use Find to check it. You can also use Find to take out extra spaces if you have fallen into the old habit of putting two spaces between sentences. Just have Find look for two spaces, and then use Replace to put one space.
- Have a friend read the manuscript asking him or her to make a note of any errors.
- Hire a copy editor to go through the whole book, looking for anything you’ve missed (errors in word usage, punctuation, grammar, repeated words, spelling, sentence structure).
- When you get the copy-edited work back, read it through carefully again. Even copy editors make the odd mistake.
Every writer has his or her own way of working through the writing process. The ideas I’ve offered here are only suggestions. If you have a method that works for you, by all means, use it. Just know that if you think it’s enough simply to have your Aunt Mary read the manuscript and say, “That’s nice, Dear,” you are in for disappointment.