So I've been editing my latest novel for what seems like half my life already. In truth, its only been a couple of weeks and I'm just a few chapters away from completing it, but the process is grueling. At least to me. Of course, it would probably be a lot less tedious if I was capable of spelling and recognizing grammar issues better than a six-year-old.
Perhaps if I wasn't trying to be frugal I could spend the $1k-$2k it would cost for a professional edit, except that my last experience with WritersDigest has shaken my confidence in "Professionals". On the other hand, Grammarly has been helpful, if glitchy, and has at the very least exposed most of my masterful blunders. I would love recommendations if there is better software, add-ons or a reliable service out there.
As far as the content of my novels, I write the way I write and enjoy doing it with a passion. If someone doesn't like my words and criticises me for it, I guess that's fair. Everyone has different likes and dislikes. That's what makes us different and I am never embarrassed by it. I am embarrassed, however, when my novel is criticised because poor spelling and grammatical mistakes have slipped through. I suppose you can find them in almost any novel, but they should be scarce enough not to be noticed.
In any case, my search goes on for the perfect editor, real or virtual, and hope that any of you that read one of my novels will just smile and read on if you come across the occasional blip!