Editing Schmediting! for SSSWW
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Editing Schmediting! Who needs it? You do! Here's one editor's secrets to edit manuscripts that sing. It covers: • Up-front questions to ask an editor • Preparing your MS for an editor • Better use of your tools for editing • Self-editing tips * Edits for compelling writing Created by Book Shepherd Ann Videan, a professional editor, author, illustrator, and composer based in the Phoenix Metro area.
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Editing Schmediting! for SSSWW
- 1. About Ann Book shepherd, author, editor, illustrator, composer ◦ A professional writer since 1981 ◦ Owned award-winning marketing firm, vIDEAn Unlimited, LLC, since 1996 ◦ Editor: corporate, publishing house, and 150+ client books ◦ Author: Rhythms & Muse, Song of the Ocarina, Enchanted Faerie Portals ◦ Co-owner Absolutely Wild! Enchanted Faerie Portals & Other Whimsy— inspired by Fae characters in Song of the Ocarina Other career highlights: ◦ 2007 – Selected by peers for the Public Relations Society of America's top honor: the PERCY Award ◦ 2005 – Selected by national panel for Crown Jewel Award: top U.S. home-based business ◦ 2004 – Served as catalyst to reintroduce white rhinos to the Phoenix Zoo. ◦ 1996 – Enticed 15,000 extras to Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ, to film football movie scenes for Jerry Maguire
- 2. EDITING SCHMEDITING! WHO NEEDS IT? YOU DO. An editor’s secrets to to edit manuscripts that sing. Ann Narcisian Videan ANVidean.com May 31, 2023
- 3. Today’s Topics ◦ How to choose an editor ◦ Prep your manuscript (MS) ◦ Know your tools ◦ Self-editing tips ◦ Edits for writing that compels For both fiction and nonfiction authors
- 4. Readers Several fellow authors/ editors (beta readers) A critique partner or group A co-worker in your marketing department Not solely your mother or good friends, even if they are avid readers. Pro Professional editor (content/line edits) You cannot edit your own writing. No exceptions! Your manuscript needs fresh eyes! No self- editing
- 5. Questions to ask about the process. How does the editing process work? Will you do a sample edit for me? Are all edits to be taken as hard rules? Ask about key items up front. Find an Editor
- 6. More questions to ask about the process. How long does it take? How do you charge? What can I expect to pay for my book? Should I expect an editor to do other work for me, like formatting? Ask about key items up front. Find an Editor
- 7. Questions to ask about the editor. Do you do content or line editing? What style manual do you follow? Will you read my manuscript (MS) more than once? Will you give suggestions to improve my writing? Ask what an editor will do for you. Find an Editor
- 8. Questions to ask about the author’s role. How do I fit into the process? What writing/tech tools do I need to know to make the process easier? Who’s ultimately responsible for the quality of my MS? How do I best format my MS for an editor? What does the editor expect of you? Find an Editor
- 9. Manuscript formatting standards: Microsoft Word document Letter-size (8.5"x11") 1" margins .5” indent (using the Ruler, not tabs or spaces) Fiction: Typically uses a first-line indent with no extra space between paragraphs Nonfiction: Typically uses no indent, with extra space between paragraphs Times New Roman, 12 pt. font Double spaced One space after a period Include book title and author name in top header or on first page Add page numbers Set up your manuscript like a professional. Standard MS Prep
- 10. Leverage MS Word Know your tools, so you can concentrate on content, not tech (and make your editor happy) ◦ The menu bar and ruler ◦ Search, and find and replace ◦ Track Changes MS Word tips to help ease editing and formatting
- 13. Track Changes tutorials (see handout) MS Word tips for writers
- 14. MS Word Keyboard Shortcuts ◦ Cntrl+B: bold ◦ Cntrl+I: italic ◦ Cntrl+S: save ◦ Cntrl+E: center text ◦ Cntrl+L: left align ◦ Cntrl+R: right align ◦ Cntrl+1: single spacing ◦ Cntrl+5: 1.5 spacing ◦ Cntrl+2: double spacing ◦ Cntrl+J: justify ◦ Cntrl+M: indent ◦ Cntrl+Shift+M: unindent ◦ Cntrl+T: hanging indent ◦ Cntrl+Shift+T: un-hang indent Easy formatting. See links on handout for more.
- 15. Read in small chunks Edit for one thing at a time: Consistent headers Specific trouble words Spelling (read backward) Read out loud (computer) for: Flow Dialog true to each character unique, and never trite or linear Make editing easy on yourself by doing one step at a time. Self- Editing
- 16. Search for: Double spaces after periods “As if” and “seem” Sentences starting with “And”/“But” “That,” “which” hunt “Then” Inactive verbs Homework: Search, especially for “is,” “was,” “had,” “been,” and other “to be” verbs. If you have more than five such words on a page, rewrite in a more active voice. Use your word processor’s global search and replace function to look for issues. Homework
- 17. Active Verbiage ◦ Use active verbs ◦ Not “to be” verbs (was, had, be, +) ◦ Active voice ◦ Not passive voice Word choice subliminally affects readers. They may not even know why they love or hate a story, but it’s often because of active verbiage choices.
- 18. Active Verbs ◦ Inactive/"to be" verbs = ◦ is, was, has, have, be, been ◦ Active verbs: ◦ cheers, pray, binge, stumbles, stared Use active verbs to create a mental picture
- 19. Passive voice uses inactive verbs often followed by words ending in “-ed” or “-ing” ◦ Passive voice ◦ is cheering, are praying, have binged ◦ Active voice ◦ cheers, prays, binged We often use passive voice when we speak, but it should not be in our writing, except in dialog. Active Voice
- 20. ◦ Passive: They are misusing the forbidden spells and have undermined the elemental structure of both realms. ◦ Active: Their misuse of the forbidden spells undermined the elemental structure of both realms. In active voice, you start your sentences with the subject and use an active verb to describe what the subject does. Example
- 21. When something happens, characters react in this order: ◦ Emotion ◦ “Oh, darn!” or teeth gnashing ◦ Review, logic, and reason ◦ What just happened? Was I at fault? Is anyone hurt? ◦ Anticipation ◦ What’s going to happen. What do I do? ◦ Choice ◦ What steps do I take? Who do I call? • Emotion • Review, logic, and reason • Anticipation • Choice *http://jimbutcher.li vejournal.com Emotional/ Sequential Reaction*
- 22. We covered: ◦ How to choose an editor ◦ Prep your MS ◦ Know your tools ◦ Issues to watch for ◦ Edits that lead to compelling writing Wrap up
- 23. ANN N. VIDEAN Accessible writing support... Words.Music.Village website http://ANVidean.com ann@annvidean.com
Editor's Notes
- Bio on screen I run three businesses all dealing with words and creativity and supporting young writers of all ages • Author and ghostwriter – Rythyms & Muse – Song of the Ocarina – Absolutely Wild! Enchanted Faerie Portals Coloring & Creative Pages – Marilyn Monroe – Illuminate Your Future: Start Your Crusade to Achieve True Financial Freedom • Fae Environmentalist for AWEFPOW, author/illustrator of coloring book w/ writing prompts • Book shepherd (edit, publish, WOM)
- TITLE SCREEN How many writing fiction? (mystery, fantasy, suspense) Nonfiction? (memoirs, biz, inspirational) UP NEXT: overview of today
- Housekeeping: - Presentation on Slideshare Main points to cover How to choose an editor Prep your MS Know your tools Issue to watch for Edits that lead to compelling writing UP NEXT: soapbox and upfront editor questions
- ASK: How many have worked with an editor? Thumbs up? Thumbs down? Somewhat of a mystery, as there are many types. Before get into those, let me climb on my SOAPBOX for a minute. You are not your best editor: http://anvidean.com/2013/07/27/catchy-writing-requires-a-fresh-reader-who-is-not-you/ I don’t care if you book shepherded 150 books like me, or even edit others’ words. You yourself cannot edit your own writing. NO EXCEPTIONS! When you write, your brain repeatedly works through messages the same way, and tends to gloss over words, phrases and ideas already “set” in your mind. Quick example: •The professional editor of my initial Rhythms & Muse manuscript pointed out something so obvious that I missed. Novel weaves two story lines of present day famous musicians with their high-school past 25 years before in Cd'A, ID. Back and forth from 2003 to 1970s. Editor saw that I did not include any current-day scenes with my hero anywhere in the first half of the book. What? I couldn’t belief my oversight. Her input contributed to creating a much more seamless and complete novel. Preferably, a number of someone elses — can take a look at those same words, phrases and ideas and see something completely different. Off Soapbox Request “other eyes,” [SEE EXAMPLES ON SCREEN] UP NEXT: Questions to ask
- When looking for an editor, asking certain things will help you set expectations. Let’s walk through the answers to these questions, too. Ask about the process How does the editing process work? My process, as a teaching editor: Sample edit Bid/Agreement Partial up-front payment Author provides 8.5x 11" Word document Three editing rounds (2 full reads with lots of suggestions/ideas/corrections, third author full read and another set of eyes) Payment after each round Final tweaks/clean-up This is not typical, most don’t read more than once, or explain why they change things. Writing is important, and my goal is to improve communication in the world Will you do a sample edit for me? Are all edits to be taken as hard rules? Pablo Picasso quote: “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” UP NEXT: more questions to ask
- Ask about the process 2 How long will it take? For me: 6-8 weeks edit 1 2-3 weeks edit 2 1 week edit 3 + 2 weeks for assistant editor How do you charge? What can I expect to pay? Should I expect an editor to do other work for me, like formatting? UP NEXT: Questions about the editor
- Ask about the editor Do you do content or line editing? How do you edit, using what manual? Will you read my MS more than once? Do you give suggestions to improve my writing? UP NEXT: Questions about the author’s role
- Ask about your role How do I fit into the process? Are you open to ideas Take ideas and make your own What tools do I need to know to make the process easier? Who’s ultimately responsible for the quality of my MS? You, but why I added final edit by English student UP NEXT: Formatting set-up
- Here are the standard formatting parameters to follow when providing a manuscript to an editor, agent, or publisher UP NEXT: Know your tools
- As an editor I spend a lot of time formatting to be able to read things easily And to help set up for future layout Know your tools, so you can concentrate on content, not tech (and make your editor happy) Format using Word’s “Home” menu bar and ruler Practice with “Search” and “Find and Replace” Take an online tutorial on Track Changes UP NEXT: Menu bar/ruler
- Format using Word’s “Home” menu bar and ruler To center or justify text, use “Home” menu bar To indent, use ruler. Move the arrows, If need to separate, use Shift key UP NEXT: Search/find and replace
- Practice with “Search” and “Find and Replace” The Search field is your friend Upper right hand corner, type a word, it will appear everywhere in the doc. Use arrows next to search term to find next or last entry “List matches in sidebar” To replace a repeating word to something else, use Find & Replace Type in word to find in first field Type in replacement word in second field Replace ALL (be careful), or replace one Click on “Find” for next instance. UP NEXT: Track Changes
- If anyone else is going to look at your MS, it's good to learn to use Track Changes Set it up for each new document When on, it records all keystrokes, so you can see any edits UP NEXT: Keyboard shortcuts
- How many people use keyboard shortcuts in Word? Here are a few. On a Mac, replace the “cntrl” key with the “command” (aka Apple) key See handout links for full cheat sheets to print. UP NEXT: Line editing tips
- Line edit tips Editing can be overwhelming. Take in one chunk at a time, focusing on one issue in each pass through the MS. Edit for one thing at a time: Consistent headers/margins Specific trouble words Spelling (read backward) Best advice… Read out loud to listen for: • Flow • Dialog true to each character never trite or linear UP NEXT: Search and replace
- Now you want to provide the editor with the cleanest writing and MS you can manage. Global search and replace for certain items (as if, seem, double spaces after periods, how many times you use "was") Homework: Use your word processor tools to conduct a global search of your document, respectively, for the words, “is,” “was,” “had,” and “been,” and other “to be” verbs that distance your reader from the message. Just scan the pages and look for clusters of the highlighted word the search found. If you have more than one, two, or maybe three of one of these words on a page, you need to write in a more active voice using more active verbs. UP NEXT: Replacing inactive verbs and voice
- Active verbiage Word choice subliminally affects readers. They may not even know why they love or hate a story, but it’s often because of active word choices. I want you to know this one small change in your writing—whether it's a book, marketing content, or even emails— will make your message jump off the page, and connect your reader to your message. When your message compelling, readers emotionally attach, they act (buy). UP NEXT: Active voice description
- Active Verbs Use active verbs to create a mental picture When you write with active verbs, your reader can more clearly visualize what’s happening in their minds emotionally attaches them to the story heightens their enjoyment in the reading. UP NEXT: Active voice description
- Passive vs. active Note: passive voice can be in both past and present tense Learn more: Ann Videan blog "Writing" section: http://anvidean.com/2012/04/10/1-writing-tip-passive-vs-active-voice/ UP NEXT: EXAMPLES
- In active voice, you start your sentences with the subject and use an active verb to describe what the subject does. UP NEXT: Emotional reaction
- IV. SEQUELS: SEQUENTIAL REACTION The way humans always react to stimuli. Every time something happens to character. Car accident example 1) Emotional reaction: Allows a character to react emotionally to a scene's outcome. “Oh, darn!” or teeth gnashing 2) Review, logic, & reason: allows a character to review facts and work through the logical options of his situation. What just happened? Was I at fault? Is anyone hurt? 3) Anticipation: allows a character to ponder probable outcomes to various choices. What comes next? What’s going to happen. What do I do? 4) Choice: allows a character to make a choice--ie, to set themselves a new GOAL for the next SCENE. What steps to I take? Who do I call? UP NEXT: Show don’t tell
- If you take these few ideas to heart, you will find editing much more gratifying. Hopefully will open doors to new opportunities without the roadbloack of changes to be made up front. UP NEXT: Offer for workshop attendees
- Need help? I’m available for Book Shepherding consultations Offer: 1.5-hr. consult 66% off... any topic to jumpstart your writing ANVidean.com Speaking at TPL again on “How to Choose a Publishing Path to Meet Your Needs” Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. Ask me anything…