Writer's Tips
Sunday, May 17th, 2009
The font of your text says a lot more than you might think. In addition to being a creative way to present your text, various fonts convey various ideas and attitudes. For example, Times New Roman, the most popular font in the United States and the preferred font for printed books and magazines, is known to convey authority and information.
When writing a manuscript for publication, it is important to use a non-proportional font, a font with each character having the same width. This includes Times New Roman and Courier, the most common fonts for manuscripts. Non-proportional fonts make the text appear to have been typed on a typewriter, and the publishing industry is known for being anti-computer. This is changing and will change, but for now it is still important to submit your manuscript in an acceptable font if you plan to have your book printed.
Ebooks are another story. In an ebook, fonts can be used very creatively. The trick is to use restraint and balance. Do not use more than 4 fonts, as this can be very obnoxious for readers. Be consistent with fonts too—use the same font for all headings, even if you use a different font for the body text. You might use one font only for the cover or title page, or one font for one section, depending on the subject matter.
Font size is also worth considering. A traditional manuscript needs to be set in 12pt font, while an ebook can use another size, usually larger because the text is designed to be read onscreen. The same rule goes for font size: do not vary the size too often. Yes, headings might look better in a larger font in your ebook, but do not change the font size of the body text from paragraph to paragraph.
For a traditional manuscript (for your novel for example) should always be in all black. Ebooks may use other colors. The reason a printed manuscript must be in all black is mainly because there is no point in using color—the manuscript is designed to be easily read by a potential agent or publisher, and odd colors can make it hard to read. Also, the manuscript you turn in for possible publication is no the same as the printed manuscript which goes to press, so your color choices will not be reflected in the final copy or the actual book if it is published.
Of course, there are always exceptions to these rules, and some vanity publishers have no regard for the “old school” guidelines, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Some publishers will not read your manuscript if the fonts are wrong. Some will. It’s your choice ultimately.
Often, writers do not have time to care for all the nuances of manuscript preparation, and a professional editor is hired to format the manuscript. In addition to proofreading your work, professional editors are available to properly format your manuscript. Therefore, if you don’t have time to go back through and correct all the odd fonts and varied sizes or colors, you can simply enlist a professional editor. I have done this work many times, and it is always satisfying to maximize the potential of good content by ensuring it is properly presented.
Tags: Font, professional editor, Submitting for Publication Posted in Writer's Tips, Writing for Publication | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009
I am always checking my style and grammar books to ensure that I am capitalizing words properly! It is not easy to remember all of the rules and regulations regarding capitalization.
But, a helpful way to remember when to capitalize (in most cases) is to use this phrase: Proper nouns and words derived from them are capitalized. Common nouns are not.
Here are some examples:
Weekdays, holidays and months are capitalized:
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Labor Day
- An exception is the Fourth of July. You would use the fourth of March.
Seasons, directions and events are not capitalized:
- summer
- north
- northwest
- my birthday
- my anniversary.
Titles are capitalized when used with a name:
- Example - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
But, it is not capitalized in this example:
- The hearings for the secretary of state appointment begin today.
Capitalize the first, last and all major words of a title:
- “The Long Hot Summer”
- “Frannie and Zooey”
- “The Red and the Black”
Capitalize the first word after a colon if it begins an independent clause: This may depend on whether you are using MLA Style or APA Style.
- I found myself in an unusual position: My husband was not the man I thought he was. (APA)
- I found myself in an unusual position: my husband was not the man I thought he was. (MLA)
Here are some other examples:
- God (when used as a name)
- god (when used as a description)
- Aunt Judie
- my aunt
- English, French
- history, mathematics, physical education
- The World Wide Web and Web Site
- a home page
- Work War II
- the war, a war
- a Republican, a Democrat
- an independent (but a member from the Independence Party)
- I went to the game with Father.
- His father was often at work on Saturdays.
- The South (as an area)
- the southern point
- a southern state
If you have a question about capitalizing a word, look in the stylebooks in the index for “capitalization.” Most stylebooks provide exceptions.
You can also use a search engine on the Web to help you reference these types of questions. I have one site I like to use as well:
http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/capital.asp
But you can also go to the APA and MLA Websites for good information.
http://www.apastyle.org/
http://www.mla.org/
Tags: capitalizations, Capitalize Posted in Editing Skills & Services, Proofreading, Writer's Tips | No Comments »
Monday, May 4th, 2009
Hyphens, En Dashes, and Em Dashes have their places in a sentence. Often times, they are used interchangeably and they are not intended to be used that way. They each have a specific purpose. Most people use hyphens and dashes quite often in writing and they can be somewhat confusing. Most writers are very familiar with using hyphens since they are the most frequently used dash. It’s the smallest of the three with the en dash slightly longer and the em dash slightly longer than the en dash. If you’re using Word, you can find the en dash and the em dash under the “Insert” tab under “Symbols.” From there, you can make a shortcut to those symbols so you can just use your keyboard the next time you need it; this is what I prefer to do. That way when you are typing, you can just use your shortcut on the keyboard instead of going to the symbol menu each time you need it.
Hyphens
Hyphens are used in compound words and for dividing words. They are also used to separate numbers like phone numbers and social security numbers. See the following examples:
1-800-123-4567 (phone number)
123-45-6789 (SSN)
“The way I spell that is F-E-R-G-U-S-O-N.”
He lives in a middle-class neighborhood
She has a three-year-old boy
(Please note that there are several different rules for compound words and whether or not to use the hyphen.)
En Dashes
Typically, en dashes are used to connect numbers. Rarely, are they used to connect words, and that is usually only with connecting two compound words.
1950–1960
Romans 10: 9–10
Refer to pages 12–24
a hospital–nursing home connection
Em Dashes
Em Dashes have several different uses. Most frequently, they are used to amplify or set apart aspects of a sentence.
“She walked away—or rather, ran away—from the laughing crowd.
“Is he—will he—accept the position?” (You could also use ellipses here)
The em dash can also be used to indicate sudden breaks in dialogue.
“I’m sorry; I tried to—”
“Trick me?” she demanded.
Tags: Em Dashes, En Dashes, Hyphens Posted in Proofreading, Writer's Tips | No Comments »
Friday, May 1st, 2009
As an author, you will, at some point, have someone critique your writing; that is, if you plan on having it published in some way. Someone’s going to read it and give their opinion about your writing. Most authors are very protective of their writing and find that any negative feedback is either a direct reflection of their writing abilities or an attack on their story. If you want an honest, unbiased critique of your story, then you will have to loosen the reigns and step back away from the story and see it from the eyes of the reader. For some, this is very difficult to do and so most authors will have to incorporate the help of an outside editor, versus doing it themselves. I personally recommend getting a professional editor to edit your story because as an author, you are often times too close to the story to see any flaws. It may be difficult, but it is important for you to take those editing notes seriously and not take it personally. If the editor is confused by your plotline or sees a flaw in one of the characters, then most likely, so will the reader. The positive feedback is good and necessary, but so is the negative; it could save you from embarrassment or more importantly, help you to have a more polished story that is ready for publishing. But there are always two sides to every coin and the editor has to take some things into account also.
As an editor, you must keep in mind that you are editing something that holds a lot of value to someone. With that in mind, you should edit with professionalism, care, tact, and honesty. It’s not your job to rewrite the story. However, it is your job to tell the author if you believe it should be rewritten. It is not your job to just be nice and agreeable and say, “This story is excellent,” if you know that it’s not. You’re not doing the author any favors by restraining the negative comments. On the flip side, your comments should not all be negative either, otherwise it will seem as though you are making a personal attack on the author and/or their work. If you happen to be reading an exceptionally poorly written story, it’s okay to point out what’s wrong with the story and how it can be better, but you can also point out something positive. Maybe the plot line is confusing and jumbled and some of the characters don’t make sense, but the author’s use of imagery is good; it is important to say both.
Accepting and giving critiques may not always be easy, but it’s a necessary part of the author/editor relationship.
Tags: Add new tag, Critique, critiques, professional editor Posted in Writer's Tips | No Comments »
Friday, April 10th, 2009
Whether you’re a great writer or one who struggles, it is always important to improve your skills and take your writing to the next level. When it comes to writing an essay, there are 3 proven strategies that you can use to get ahead.
First, pre-planning and brainstorming is key. Although some people are able to write a great essay in one sitting or on the spot with a time limit, most GREAT essays took some time. Research your topic and write down or record any useful notes and facts. Plan out the order in which you will present your ideas in writing. It is not enough to just have a topic; it is just equally necessary to have a logical organization and presentation.
Secondly, streamlining your text can take a mediocre essay to a higher level. Simplifying your sentences and using precise grammar and structure can make your essay easier and more fun to read, more comprehensible, and more stylistically appealing. Although some people call those who have mastered these skills “professionals” or “naturally talented,” anyone can become a skilled writer with practice. Rewrite one of your old essays and see how much you can improve it. Remove any unnecessary words or phrases, change passive voice to active voice, and include more visual imagery or explanation. It is also great to utilize creative writing techniques to balance out the academic content of your essay-especially if you’re writing your essay for a magazine or website.
Finally, a surefire way to improve your essay is to hire a professional editor to go over your work and correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and typos. You as the writer of your own work are unlikely to catch ALL the errors, and your word processing software’s spell/grammar check is no genius. At the very least, have a friend or colleague read and check your essay, and then revise accordingly. The advantage of using a professional editor comes in handy for those big projects-your college essays, a journal or newsletter article, a magazine or website article, or an important academic or work-related presentation. Editing can also improve your essay’s overall clarity, format, organization, and even content and style. If you’re ever in a hurry and you don’t have time to utilize the first two strategies, a professional touch can potentially make up for both.
So whether your goal is to become a better writer or to simply turn in or submit better essays, these 3 strategies will give you results. Often, all it takes to turn a good idea into a great essay is a little time. Fortunately, if you don’t have the time, you can still improve your essay by hiring a professional editor.
Tags: essay, essays, professional editor Posted in Editing Skills & Services, Manuscript Editing, Writer's Tips | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009
It may be appropriate to use sexist (or gender specific) language in a novel or religious writing, but there are very few times when you can or should appropriately identify a character, individual, or subject using only a masculine form of the word. And, using a combination (him/her) is cumbersome.
In educational writing (course assignments or research papers), journalism, and in business, sexism in the use of language is discrimination. Style manuals, office policies and procedures, and employee handbooks and are excellent resources for using gender-neutral language. And, it is important to be gender neutral. Not being gender neutral can be a costly mistake. I know a manager who tosses resumes and job application letters into the “Do Not Interview” pile when she spies sexist uses of the language. It does not make a good impression in these gender-neutral times.
Use of sexist language most often occurs with third-person masculine pronouns (he, him, his, himself) or with job titles that include a gender preference (fireman, chairman, foreman) (Andersen, R. 1994). Words such as stewardess, waiter or waitress, actor and actress have been changed to a gender-neutral format: flight attendant, server, actor.
There are also sexist words that are not job titles but relate to a group of people: mankind, the average man, manned, all men. In exchange, words such as people, average person, staffed, and all people should be used. In technical writing, “ensure that the reception desk is manned 24 hours” should be replaced with “staffed 24 hours.”
After monkeys flew into space and we moved on to using astronauts, we had “manned spacecraft.” Certainly that wording is no longer appropriate.
What are some options for ensuring that your writing is gender neutral? First, adopt the titles that are in use today:
- Letter carrier
- Chairperson or Chair
- Spokesperson
- Flight Attendant
- Police Officer
- Server
- Firefighter
- Host (no Hostesses)
- Journalist, Writer
- Actor (no Actresses)
- Sportsperson
- And, don’t use male nurses to distinguish from nurses (female)
Most businesses and workplaces now use administrative assistant or word-processor or assistant rather than secretary as a position title.
If you are using female and male wording together, make sure that they have equal treatment. Examples include:
Ladies and Gentlemen or Men and Women
but not: Men and Ladies
Husband and Wife
but not: Man and Wife (Yes-change the wedding vows)
John and Mary Doe or John Doe and Mary Jones
but not: John Doe and wife Mary
If using a sentence where the subject can be he or she or him or her, try to find another way to write the sentence without using him/her or he/she. For example, the sentence:
Prior to giving a patient medications, make sure that you verify his/her name by checking their identification bracelet.
Change the wording to:
Prior to giving a patient medication, make sure to verify their names by checking the identification bracelet.
Or even better:
Check the patient’s identification bracelet to ensure that it matches the name on the prescription prior to administering medications.
Another example:
A researcher should submit his proposal by December 15 (Do not use he to mean both men and women)
Each physician must submit his patient reports within 24 hours.
Better examples are:
The proposal deadline for researchers is December 15.
Each physician must file patient reports within 24 hours.
Watch the use of the language especially in public relation materials, advertisements or job applications and in your speech. It is very easy to alienate new customers, clients or potential employees by using sexist language. Sexist language in your business writing (e.g. memos, emails, articles, technical writing) is not professional and may at times, be illegal, violate human resources policies and procedures and not meet style guidelines. So, in editing your materials, ensure that you use gender neutral language at all times.
An excellent example that illustrates that “man or he” cannot stand for both men and women is this sentence (Andersen, 1994)
“Modern man no longer pampers himself during pregnancy. He works almost up until the day of delivery and is back at work within a few weeks of leaving the hospital.”
p.48
Reference:
Andersen, R. (1994). Powerful Writing Skills. National Press Publications, a division of Rockhurst College Continuing Education Center, Inc.
Tags: gender neutral, gender neutral language, gender specific, sexist language Posted in Business Editing, Proofreading, Writer's Tips | 3 Comments »
Friday, March 27th, 2009
Revising gives you the chance to preview your work on behalf of the eventual reader. Revision is much more than proofreading, though in the final editing stage it involves some checking of details. Good revision and editing can transform a mediocre first draft into an excellent final paper. It’s more work, but leads to real satisfaction when you find you’ve said what you wanted. It is truly rewarding.
Start Large, End Small
First check whether you have fulfilled the intention of the assignment. Look again at the instruction sheet, and revise your work to be sure you can say yes to these questions:
- Have you performed the kind of thinking the assignment sheet asked for (e.g., analyze, argue, compare, explore.)
- Have you written the genre of document called for (e.g., book review, critique, personal response, field notes, research report, lab report, essay)?
- Have you used concepts and methods of reasoning discussed in the course? Don’t be shy of using theoretical terms from the course. Also beware of just retelling stories or listing information. Looking at your topic sentences in sequence will show what kinds of ideas you have emphasized.
- Have you given adequate evidence for your argument or interpretation? Be sure that the reader knows why and how your ideas are important. A quick way of checking is to note where your paragraphs go after their topic sentences. Watch out for repetitions of general ideas — look for progression into detailed reasoning, usually including source referencing.
Now polish and edit your style by moving to smaller matters such as word choice, sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. You may already have passages that you know need further work. Here are some tips:
- Read passages aloud to see if you have achieved the emphasis you want. Look for places to use short sentences to draw attention to key ideas, questions, or argumentative statements. If you can’t read a sentence all the way through with expression, try cutting it into two or more.
- Be sure to use spell check. I have learned how crucial this is before and after each document! It will help you catch most typos and many wrongly spelled words. But don’t let it replace anything automatically, or you’ll end up with nonsense words. You will still have to read through your piece and use a print dictionary or writer’s handbook to look up words that you suspect are not right.
- Don’t depend on a thesaurus. It will supply you with lists of words in the same general category as the one you have tried-but most of them won’t make sense. Use plain clear words instead. Use a print dictionary and look up synonyms given as part of definitions. Always look at the samples of usage too.
- Don’t depend on a grammar checker. The best ones still miss many errors, and they give a lot of bad advice. If you know that you overuse slang or the passive voice, you may find some of the “hits” useful, but be sure to make your own choice of replacement phrases. A few of the explanations may be useful.
Nothing can substitute for your own judgment. You will become quite comfortable with your own style and creativity.
Tags: Professional Editing, Proofreading Posted in Editing Skills & Services, Manuscript Editing, Novel Editing, Writer's Tips | No Comments »
Monday, January 5th, 2009
One thing every professional editor must be very clear about is the variant spellings and meanings of words known as homophones. According to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, homophones can be defined as “one of two or more words (as to, too, two) pronounced alike but different in meaning or derivation or spelling.” Therefore, a professional editor misspelling even one letter in a word can potentially lead to a change in meaning, sometimes one that is radically different from that originally intended by the writer.
Below is a list of some common homophones, which, for the most part, keep us professional editors on our toes (please note that all definitions have been taken from http://www.merriam-webster.com/):
1. allowed, aloud
allowed – “to assign as a share or suitable amount (as of time or money) <allow an hour for lunch>”
aloud – “in a loud manner”
2. bare, bear
bare – “lacking a natural, usual, or appropriate covering”
bear – “any of a family (Ursidae of the order Carnivora) of large heavy mammals of America and Eurasia that have long shaggy hair, rudimentary tails, and plantigrade feet and feed largely on fruit, plant matter, and insects as well as on flesh”
3. cite, sight, site
cite – “to call upon officially or authoritatively to appear (as before a court)”
sight – “something that is seen”
site – “the spatial location of an actual or planned structure or set of structures (as a building, town, or monuments)”
4. desert, dessert
desert – “arid land with usually sparse vegetation”
dessert – “a usually sweet course or dish (as of pastry or ice cream) usually served at the end of a meal”
5. foreword, forward
foreword – “prefatory comments (as for a book) especially when written by someone other than the author”
forward – “near, being at, or belonging to the forepart”
6. groan, grown
groan – “to utter a deep moan indicative of pain, grief, or annoyance”
grown – “cultivated or produced in a specified way or locality”
7. hear, here
hear – “to perceive or apprehend by the ear”
here – “in or at this place”
8. idle, idol
idle – “lacking worth or basis”
idol – “a representation or symbol of an object of worship”
9. jewel, joule
jewel – “an ornament of precious metal often set with stones or decorated with enamel and worn as an accessory of dress”
joule – “a unit of work or energy equal to the work done by a force of one newton acting through a distance of one meter”
10. know, no
know – “to perceive directly; have direct cognition of”
no – “used as a function word to express the negative of an alternative choice or possibility”
11. lie, lye
lie – “to be or to stay at rest in a horizontal position; to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive”
lye – “a strong alkaline liquor rich in potassium carbonate leached from wood ashes and used especially in making soap and for washing”
12. morning, mourning
morning – “the time from sunrise to noon”
mourning – “an outward sign (as black clothes or an armband) of grief for a person’s death”
13. nay, neigh
nay – “a negative reply or vote”
neigh – “to make the prolonged cry of a horse”
14. ode, owed
ode – “a lyric poem usually marked by exaltation of feeling and style, varying length of line, and complexity of stanza forms”
owed – “to have or bear (an emotion or attitude) to someone or something <owes the boss a grudge>”
15. principal, principle
principal – “most important, consequential, or influential”
principle – “a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption”
16. quarts, quartz
quarts – “a vessel or measure having a capacity of one quart”
quartz – “a mineral consisting of silicon dioxide occurring in colorless and transparent or colored hexagonal crystals or in crystalline masses”
17. rain, reign, rein
rain – “water falling in drops condensed from vapor in the atmosphere”
reign – “the dominion, sway, or influence of one resembling a monarch <the reign of the Puritan ministers>”
rein – “a strap fastened to a bit by which a rider or driver controls an animal”
18. scene, seen
scene – “one of the subdivisions of a play”
seen – past participle of see – “to perceive by the eye”
19. there, their, they’re
there – “in or at that place”
their – “of or relating to them or themselves especially as possessors, agents, or objects of an action”
they’re – “they are”
20. vial, vile
vial – “a small closed or closable vessel especially for liquids”
vile – “morally despicable or abhorrent”
21. weak, week
weak – “lacking strength”
week – “any of a series of 7-day cycles used in various calendars”
22. yoke, yolk
yoke – “a wooden bar or frame by which two draft animals (as oxen) are joined at the heads or necks for working together”
yolk – “the yellow spheroidal mass of stored food that forms the inner portion of the egg of a bird or reptile and is surrounded by the white”
Every so often, I will revisit this topic and provide more examples of common homonyms that professional editors encounter on a regular basis. Until then, acquaint yourselves with those listed above!
Tags: Professional Editing, Professional Editor, Proofreading, Writing for Publication, Writing Process Posted in Christian Writing, Proofreading, Writer's Tips, Writing for Publication | No Comments »
Tuesday, December 30th, 2008
If you’ve just finished writing your novel and you’re ready to send it off to publishers, be sure to read these helpful tips first. Although various publishing houses have their own guidelines, there are standard guidelines you can follow to ensure that your manuscript is easily readable and professionally presented.
First, be sure the font is Times New Roman or Courier. These fonts ensure that each character is the same width; therefore the manuscript looks as if it has been typed on a typewriter. Use a 12 point size, even for chapter headings.
Double-space the text, and be sure it is aligned to the left and NOT justified. Some readers will not even look at a manuscript if the text is justified.
Indent each paragraph with a 0.5 inch tab. Use 1-inch margins all around. Do not leave extra spaces between paragraphs. Chapter numbers and titles may be proceeded by an extra space (for a total of 4 spaces between title and text), but remember to be consistent. Begin each chapter of the book on a new page, and leave a space between the chapter number/title and the text.
Do NOT use bold typeface. Italics are acceptable, and underlining is always fine. It is traditional to underline all text that you wish to be italicized, but it has become acceptable to use italics since computers have replaced typewriters.
Do NOT use large or unusual fonts, bold typeface, or artwork. The style and appearance of your manuscript should be simple; it is not your finished book yet.
Place a running header including page numbers, your last name, and the title or partial title of the book at the top right of every page (except the title page).
Prepare a title page that includes the following information: first and last name, address, phone number and/or email, and word count. Place this information at the top right on the page. Place your title in the center of the page with a byline right under it.
The Great American Novel
by Jane Smith
(OR)
The Great American Novel
by
Jane Smith
If you use a pen name (alias), use that name in the byline and in the running headers on each page (but use your real name in the upper right corner).
You may begin the text of the story on the title page itself, or you may elect to begin on page 2. It is always best to begin with Chapter 1 or the prologue (rather than including dedications and acknowledgments; those can come later). Remember that your goal is to capture the reader’s attention right away.
Print on 8 _ by 11 inch white paper using black ink. Only print on one side of each page. Do not staple or bind the pages. (Use “A-4” paper if you are in Europe.)
Of course, if this all sounds like too much, you can hire professional editors to properly format your manuscript. This is especially useful if you have completed your work in a style that does not comply with these guidelines and you do not have the time or energy to make changes to the entire document yourself. In the process of writing and revising your document, you may encounter formatting issues (such as pagination) and elect to hire a professional to format the final version—this is not uncommon. In fact, many writers hire professional editors to assist them with the technical and mechanical aspects of the writing process.
A properly prepared and presented manuscript is important because it gives the publisher an indication of your knowledge and seriousness, and it makes reading as easy as possible for the person reading your work. In some cases, publishers will not even read a manuscript if it is improperly presented, so a great looking manuscript can increase your chances at publication.
Tags: Christian Publication, Christian Writing, Manuscript Submission, Submitting for Publication, Submitting to a Publisher, Writing for Publication Posted in Book Editors, Christian Writing, Manuscript Editing, Writer's Tips, Writing for Publication | 4 Comments »
Thursday, December 25th, 2008
Proofreading or editing—how do you know which one to do? What is the difference? Most people use the two terms interchangeably, but there is technically a slight difference between the two.
Think of editing as something you do all during the writing process, while proofreading is something you do right before you turn in your project.
Everyone has their own way to work through the writing process. Let’s look at writing a novel. A typical pattern for someone might be to brainstorm for ideas. Then make an outline of the story. The next step would be to go ahead and write a first draft of the story. The best way to go about that would be to just write it without trying to make too many corrections along the way—that’s what editing is for. Sometimes if too much time is spent editing “while” you’re actually writing, you can lose focus and drive and risk your story falling flat. Once your “rough draft” is complete, now is the time to go back through and “edit.”
During the editing process, you’ll want to look for:
- Context—is your story complete?
- Is the point of view consistent?
- Who is your audience?
- Does your story flow smoothly?
- Is the plot line resolved?
- How is the imagery?
- How is the character development?
Obviously, this is not an exhaustive list, just a few things to consider while editing. There is no set number of drafts for writing a novel; you just keep polishing it until the writing is smooth, well written, and all loose ends are taken care of. However, before you send it off to the publisher, it must be proofread.
Proofreading is the final run-through before your writing is submitted. This is where you concentrate on spelling, grammar, punctuation, and syntax. You are dotting all the i’s and crossing all the t’s. This is also where you polish your formatting and make sure you are consistent throughout.
- Do you have the same font throughout the text?
- Are all of your chapter headings in the correct numerical order?
- If you are writing to submit to a publisher, be sure to get the specs they require for submission; not all of them are the same.
Some people find it helpful to have another person look at it at the end stage in order to get a fresh perspective.
All-in-all the editing process is more intensive, while proofreading catches those overlooked errors that you definitely don’t want to make it all the way to the publisher. Both processes are important and needed in order to produce a final, polished piece of writing.
Tags: Professional Editing, Professional Editor, Proofreading, Writing Process Posted in Editing Skills & Services, Proofreading, Writer's Tips | No Comments »
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