The Importance of Professional Fiction Editing
You know how they say “Good things come to he who waits”? This is true of so many, many things. And it is a guide to trust when embarking on your writing journey.
Whether you are just starting out, or you already have published writing under your belt, here is something to always remember. Learning is a never-ending process, no less with writing than with other things in life.
I have heard so many stories, and seen so many examples, of new writers who are so eager to get their first book published that they release it to the market before it is ready. There is a reason that professional vetting works.
When I submitted my first manuscript to a professional editor she tore it up! Not literally of course, but in the digital sense, yes. Nearly every paragraph had two paragraph’s worth of editorial suggestions and corrections. She pointed out so many weaknesses in my syntax that I felt like giving up. The age-old self-pity. “I’m not good enough. I’ll never be good enough. What does she mean by this and that?” When I finished licking my wounds and studied the points that she had made, I tried applying the changes she had suggested and using it as a formula to improve my entire manuscript. The difference was astounding. Suddenly I understood that some of my writing studies had meant things differently than I had interpreted them.
Suddenly I knew that with patience, humility, and sweat the story could come out better than I had realized it could be.
There are no shortcuts in publishing success. Take the long road if you wish to succeed. Your first work is your first impression on readers.
With thousands of books to choose from, readers will feel no qualms if they ignore your next books in favor of books that impressed their imagination.
In fantasy writing it is essential to Show more and Tell less. Be concise where possible. Choose pointed descriptions. And bring your characters to life through engaging Scenes. My first book went through four editors. Yep, painful! Yes, oh so beneficial.
I have recommended this book before but I am going to do so again. If you want to strengthen your manuscript read Self-editing for Fiction Writers and then hire a professional to give you an editorial review, or a full line-edit. Taking the time to do the right things before publishing your book feels painful, but in the long run you will be grateful you did. If you are interested then check out Path to Publication. I’ve had the honor of helping several now-established authors take their manuscripts to the next level.
Q: Have you considered the benefits of a professional critique, review, or full edit to your manuscript?
Are you tired of movies that rely on action scenes to keep your interest? I am. Though I do appreciate action when it is applied properly, the heart of a story is never the battles, it is the soul of the characters and the arc of mystery, intrigue, or romance that they are following. You could say that the drama is the most important aspect of any good story. It grabs your attention and holds you through to the end because it gives you human elements that you can relate to. You may not understand what it is like to fight in a war, or touch a majestic beast, or be wounded in battle. But you probably do understand what its like to fall for a beautiful woman, or lose one you love, to struggle financially, or to battle physical illness or handicap.