Jessica Russell's Blog - Posts Tagged "editing"
Breathe
There is an amazing number of posts everywhere you look concerning all sorts of "critical" do's and don'ts that will supposedly make or break a new author. Here is the actual truth: SOME things literally only matter to editors. I have nothing against editors, they're doing their job. However, the Oxford comma, opening a chapter with weather, using "smiling" words or sneaking in a split infinitive are not things that any reader anywhere, to the best of my knowledge, has EVER cared about. Proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation are important. Beyond that, there's no reason to drive yourself crazy with all kinds of nitpicky nonsense because you're convinced that the "experts" will find flaws in your writing. All books need editing and proofreading, but ultimately, you are not selling your book to editors, you're selling it to READERS. And readers don't care about the Oxford comma. Readers care whether or not the darn story is any good. Focus on weaving a good tale and when it comes to whether or not to use a semicolon, take a nice deep breath, flip a coin, and keep writing. :)
It's NOT Ok
In this day and age of "everything is ok," it's time to mention something that's NOT. It's not ok, as an author, to let apps take over your life! Years ago, a writer sat down with a typewriter or word processor and wrote a book. Authors didn’t rely on software to carry them every step of the way. Although some software is helpful and it’s convenient, you still need to perfect your craft.
You CANNOT rely on software for everything. Look what happened to music when they decided to let computer programs write the songs instead of hiring people to do it: one measure repeated for 3 minutes; there's your song.
There are even individuals who offer “editing” services on platforms such as Fiverr and UpWork and all they are doing is spinning it through Microsoft spellcheck and grammar check. Believe me…Microsoft, Grammarly, and all kinds of other apps and programs CANNOT take the place of true editing. There are also some great programs that will help you with passive, versus active voice if you do AP style writing, but AGAIN, they are not foolproof.
YOU HAVE TO LEARN YOUR CRAFT!
If you don’t know how to do all that already, WITHOUT the software, you’re not ready yet. That may be hard medicine to take, but it’s the truth.
It’s also important to avoid “plot generators.” Honestly! If you don’t have a story in your head, or at least the beginnings of a story cooking, you’re not there yet. You’re just plain not ready. I’ve actually seen people on writing groups/pages say, “I want to write a novel, what should be about?”
Ridiculous.
I’m not trying to be condescending but come on! If you have no idea what you want to write a novel about, then you’re simply not ready to write a novel!
It’s very important to follow all the steps: you need command of the English language–or command of whatever language you’re writing in–you need to learn good grammar, you need to learn how to create a book through scene, sequel, scene, sequel in a straightforward or patchwork pattern, and you need to understand how to wrap it up at the end so that it’s satisfying, whether in a good way or bad way. Just those basics alone are vitally important, not to mention everything else.
Don’t jump the gun and try to get there in one big step with software, advice from other people, and plots spun from apps. The results will NEVER be as good as organic results. Go the long way. It will be WELL WORTH IT!
You CANNOT rely on software for everything. Look what happened to music when they decided to let computer programs write the songs instead of hiring people to do it: one measure repeated for 3 minutes; there's your song.
There are even individuals who offer “editing” services on platforms such as Fiverr and UpWork and all they are doing is spinning it through Microsoft spellcheck and grammar check. Believe me…Microsoft, Grammarly, and all kinds of other apps and programs CANNOT take the place of true editing. There are also some great programs that will help you with passive, versus active voice if you do AP style writing, but AGAIN, they are not foolproof.
YOU HAVE TO LEARN YOUR CRAFT!
If you don’t know how to do all that already, WITHOUT the software, you’re not ready yet. That may be hard medicine to take, but it’s the truth.
It’s also important to avoid “plot generators.” Honestly! If you don’t have a story in your head, or at least the beginnings of a story cooking, you’re not there yet. You’re just plain not ready. I’ve actually seen people on writing groups/pages say, “I want to write a novel, what should be about?”
Ridiculous.
I’m not trying to be condescending but come on! If you have no idea what you want to write a novel about, then you’re simply not ready to write a novel!
It’s very important to follow all the steps: you need command of the English language–or command of whatever language you’re writing in–you need to learn good grammar, you need to learn how to create a book through scene, sequel, scene, sequel in a straightforward or patchwork pattern, and you need to understand how to wrap it up at the end so that it’s satisfying, whether in a good way or bad way. Just those basics alone are vitally important, not to mention everything else.
Don’t jump the gun and try to get there in one big step with software, advice from other people, and plots spun from apps. The results will NEVER be as good as organic results. Go the long way. It will be WELL WORTH IT!
