I am editing my printed manuscript,

Raphee · Aug 2, 2008

hopefully for the last time.
As I note amendments and revisions I have to do, I wanted to know your feedback on the process.
Should I revise each chapter and make the changes immediately on my word processor?
Or should I go thought the entire document with a red pencil and then make changes in the computer?

Please note that this is not an initial draft. I have done countless drafts before and some printouts as well.
Just that this is one is so close to the end, and I really wanted some feedback.

Telstar · Aug 2, 2008

There is no One Way. Do what works for you.

I check and revise every chapter of my first draft (with red pen), but I know that I will do a more heavy revision at the end.

The red pen and revision on paper works much better than the on-site editing in the computer. So I say go red pen. All chapters or one, or 3-5 at a time it is really up to you.

eqb · Aug 2, 2008

As TelStar said, there is no One Way.

(And there's often not One Way for All Projects, even for the same writer.)

What I find works for me (and that's only me), is to print a copy and read it away from the computer, marking errors with problem areas with a red pen.

But I don't always mark every change in detail. I'll sometimes just flag a section as "needs work" or "cut this in half" or whatever, then I'll do the editing on the computer.

GeorgieB · Aug 2, 2008

Print out the complete manuscript, edit with red pen, correct the original manuscript and then . . .

Let your computer read it back to you. You won't believe the number of errors (grammar, punctuation, spelling (ugh!), voice, non-sensical sentences, etc,) that you will find.

I use a program called "TextAloud" and have purchased a couple AT&T voices to break up the monotony. The program allows you to set the read-back speed so you have time to correct the many problems you will find.

Good luck.

ChaosTitan · Aug 2, 2008

I print it out and go through the entire manuscript first, usually with a red pen and mini Post-Its, so I can flag larger sections of problem text or mark any serious changes (like ripping out six pages of a scene and moving it thirty pages earlier).

When I go back to actually plug the corrections into the computer document, I do it backwards. Two reasons for it: starting from the end and working backward keeps the page numbers the same, and also I tend to pick up on other minor errors that way.

stormie · Aug 2, 2008

As others have said, there's no one way to do it. There will be times when I work on the hardcopy, then type the revisions in, then other times I'll do it right on the computer. Depends on how I feel that day. I note, though, the date I make a revision.

kzmiller · Aug 2, 2008

I can vouch for the value of post-its, and reading somewhere other than where you usually work. Do whatever seems to work for you but personally I need to go through the whole thing before I go back to the computer. Chapter by chapter would be more convenient, but ...

Also, either read it aloud or pretend when you're reading silently that you're reading in front of an audience. I catch a lot of awkward sentences that way, and it forces me to slow down and examine each bit on its individual merit. At a recent reading a first-time author read her work aloud and got all flustered and tried skipping around the page as she realized she didn't want to read certain sentences and hadn't attributed dialogue so that even she got lost as to who was speaking. Part of her issue I'm sure was scene selection but really, with a brief introduction to fill the audience about the setting, you should be comfortable reading any part of the novel aloud and have it flow and sound good.

Mark Walton · Aug 2, 2008

The best advice I ever received was to edit in the format you don't write in.

If you wordprocess your manuscript, edit with the printed page. If you write on paper before typing it up, edit on the screen.

johnzakour · Aug 2, 2008

Also editing backwards seems to help me a lot at least when it comes to copy editting.

writersprite · Aug 2, 2008

kzmiller said:
I can vouch for the value of post-its

I love post-its....especially the lined style. They make it so much easier to add paragraphs than trying to write between the lines (or on the back of the page after drawing a pointing arrow/line from each section to the corresponding paragraph....)

SKYwrite · Aug 2, 2008

I edit my work both on the computer and by pencil. I usually do a few run-throughs on my PC, and when I think it's about ready I print it. Then I can make more adjustments with a red pencil, and go back and edit it for good

Layla Nahar · Aug 2, 2008

Raphee said:
hopefully for the last time.
As I note amendments and revisions I have to do, I wanted to know your feedback on the process.
Should I revise each chapter and make the changes immediately on my word processor?
Or should I go thought the entire document with a red pencil and then make changes in the computer?

Please note that this is not an initial draft. I have done countless drafts before and some printouts as well.
Just that this is one is so close to the end, and I really wanted some feedback.

I would got thru the entire doc w/ the red pencil - maybe more than once, then make the changes. after that, take a break & revise again if needed.

scheherazade · Aug 2, 2008

I do printouts for line edits and to read for repetitive words or other grammatical things that don't always stand out for me on the computer. I also may use the printout for a really broad overview of the book - I'll add notes to myself about adding details or moving scenes around, etc, but I don't do a lot of other substantive edits on a printout. But it definitely helps just to look at it in a different format and get a better sense of how it will look for the reader.

Just get yourself a coloured pen/pencil/marker for copy edit marks, make yourself some notes in the margin about things you might want to go back and address or need to check back somewhere in the ms. Try to read straight through, rather than back and forth or doing too much editing, the first time you read through.

Moon Daughter · Aug 2, 2008

I'm just going to voice what others have said here and do what feels most comfortable for you. Personally, I edit on the ole PC to save some trees.

roncouch · Aug 2, 2008

I print it out, read it, mark the changes and make the changes on the computer. I print it out again and have my wife read it. She makes me feel stupid - it's her job.

writersprite · Aug 2, 2008

roncouch said:
I print it out, read it, mark the changes and make the changes on the computer. I print it out again and have my wife read it. She makes me feel stupid - it's her job.

LOL

That's not exactly the best way to feel encouraged to write further, though..... >.>

scope · Aug 2, 2008

I print out the manuscript, read it without making any changes, read it again and make changes using red pencil and flags, make changes in the computer, print it again, review it for any additional changes (red pencil and flags), make changes in computer and then let it sit for a week or two before repeating the process.

kzmiller · Aug 2, 2008

roncouch said:
I print it out, read it, mark the changes and make the changes on the computer. I print it out again and have my wife read it. She makes me feel stupid - it's her job.

writersprite said:
LOL

That's not exactly the best way to feel encouraged to write further, though..... >.>

All I can say is better the wife than the editor! :flag:

BTW, writersprite, welcome! I noticed you're new-ish. Have you seen the giant post its? I have a stack of them. They're about 5x7 (?) size and I love them! Too bad they're expensive, but when I'm doing a big manuscript, it's worth it. Besides, it's a tax write off, so I guess I sort of get my money back. They're the perfect size for what you described--writing in paragraphs or even multiple paragraphs. I stick them so they hang off the page so I can find them easily if I think they need more tinkering later. And when I type them into the computer I just stick them to the bottom of the screen (I have a Mac and the bottom of the screen margin is the perfect width for them.) I think a writer must have invented that size.

NicoleMD · Aug 2, 2008

GeorgieB said:
Let your computer read it back to you. You won't believe the number of errors (grammar, punctuation, spelling (ugh!), voice, non-sensical sentences, etc,) that you will find.

I second this. I don't let anything go public unless I've had my computer read it to me. Catches all kinds of stupid stuff I miss every time I read over. Especially those little words, is if in of...etc. that get mistyped.

I just use XP's built in reader. Vista has one too, but it's a little more quirky.

Nicole

David I · Aug 2, 2008

Do what feels right, but I'd urge you not to rush back to the computer to make changes every chapter or every page.

Reading straight through--whether it is read to you or you read it yourself--and jotting quick notes allows you to notice things you won't catch working in smaller chunks. Such as words you overuse. And sometimes having your list of little problems pile up before fixing them will lead you to different solutions than if you dealt with each item alone.

Good luck.

Greenwolf103 · Aug 3, 2008

I agree you should do what works best for you. It could take some doing before you find the right method, though. Just go with what feels best.

With me, I print it out and read it through, editing along the way. Then I give it another read, making any further notations. If it feels right, I'll make the changes on the computer then give that one a last final read, on the computer.

Raphee · Aug 3, 2008

Everyone thanks. I couldnt say earlier, since I was without a connection over the weekend.

The consensus seems to work on paper all the way through and go to the word processor afterwards.
I seem to like the idea, since it allows you to also have a feel of the writing. Some tips are great like the use of post its.
Thanks. Back to writing.

Straka · Aug 4, 2008

I edit the whole thing in red, because i'll change my edits depending on if I have realizations as I go through the editing process. If I realize by the end I don't need Character X then I don't have to go back into word and redo the edits

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