The first draft of the book has been finished. All that time and hard work have resulted in a completed draft manuscript. Now that the writing is finished, it is time to edit.
Editing is not an easy thing to accomplish. Often it is considered a necessary evil, since it is so time consuming and sometimes tedious to edit a book manuscript. However, once a book is written and finished, it needs to be edited and proofread at least once before it is submitted to a potential publisher.
One way to look for the following problem areas in the manuscript is to read through the story multiple times, looking for one or two specific problems each time. This method has the advantage of narrowing the focus during each read to a specific problem area, making it more likely that those problems will be found and corrected. Another method is to make a list of problems to look for and simply read through the manuscript with those problem areas in mind. The following are the most common problems found in manuscripts:
Grammar and Sentence Structure
This problem set requires that the grammar and structure of the story is closely considered. Check that all periods and commas are in place. In the case of commas, double check that they are being used properly. The Purdue Online Writing Lab has a fantastic guide to help with correct comma usage.
Also in this problem area, take a look at the structure of sentences. Is there a variation, or are most sentences constructed in the same way? If while editing it becomes obvious that sentences have the same or very similar structure throughout, try to mix the structure up a little. Varying sentence structure has the advantage of not boring a reader. A story constructed entirely of sentences such as “The cat was brown and it met the black dog” can become very boring very quickly. Try to think of other ways in which to say the same thing but a little more interesting. “The cat is brown and the dog is black” could become: “A brown cat met a dog, which was black.” Columbia has a plain but useful guide to varying sentence structure, as does Purdue Online Writing Lab.
Spelling mistakes
Mistakes with spelling are usually fairly simple to fix. The problem is in catching them. Using the spell check in word processors can catch some errors, but not all. Catching spelling mistakes requires a close look at the text. Keep a dictionary close at hand, either online or a paper dictionary, for any questions about spelling. It is important to catch as many spelling errors and typos as possible to make the manuscript as professional as possible.
Plot Holes and Consistency
A reader will spot plot holes and any inconsistencies immediately. This is because they have the advantage of not being quite as involved in the story as the author. It is a matter of the author being too close to the story to be able to see the holes. While editing a book manuscript, pay close attention to the plot. Question what has been written. Does the plot make sense? Does something not seem to flow or follow the previous events? If there is a surprise, does it get addressed at some point in the manuscript, or is it left hanging? Is a particular scene or section necessary, or does it detract from the plot? If it is necessary, does it need to be expanded or scaled down at all? All such questions are necessary to make certain there are no holes in the plot. The blog AuthorCulture has a great post entitled “Checking for Plot Holes” dealing with this very issue and offers some great advice on how to check for it.
As for inconsistencies, go through the manuscript with a fine-toothed comb. Make a list if necessary of any dates or important details to make sure that everything stays consistent. Inconsistencies apply not only to the plot but to the characters as well. Character personalities and actions should remain consistent throughout the story unless some reason is given for the character to behave in a different way.
Layout
As a final step, check the layout of the manuscript. This is mostly cosmetic, but it is important to remain consistent in how the chapters are labeled or sections are broken. Do not switch back and forth between using chapter numbers and chapter headings. Use either one or the other, or perhaps both. Check that the sections dividers are of the same type in all places in which they are used. Do not switch from something like this: ***, to something like this: ~~~ halfway through the manuscript. Consistency is important not only in the plot and story itself but in the cosmetic layout of the story to give it a professional look and make it easier to read.
Editing a book is as great a task as writing one, and sometimes a greater task than writing the book ever was. But it is important to make the manuscript as completed and professional as possible, and as error free as possible. This manuscript could be submitted to publishers, editors, and agents, and the fewer errors, the more likely it is that the publisher could potentially like the book. For more information, advice, and to interact with aspiring and published authors, check out Writer’s Digest online.
Kira Tregoning - Kira is a recent college graduate with degrees in Linguistics and Classics, with a focus on ancient languages such as Latin and Attic ...
