asking some specific questions that will help me get a sense of what he or she is intending to achieve with the manuscript at hand. We then take some time reviewing my edits, and I offer a brief critique of the material, allowing the client a glimpse into the editing process, while indicating the scope and complexity of the suggested changes.
If the author wishes to hire me on as an editor, coach or both, we discuss whatever is necessary to begin moving forward with the work. We may decide I simply begin reviewing and editing the client's material, or I may give the client some "exercises" to do (e.g. to free up their writing voice, to develop their ability to clarify concepts or write dialogue, etc.). I also require my clients to sign a contract with me (specifying what each of us will provide the other with), and ask each client for a retainer up front (the amount primarily based on the length of the work), in advance of my doing further work on the material.
Given today's competitive market and the sheer volume of manuscripts being submitted, most literary agents and publishers recommend that authors take it upon themselves to hire professional editing services prior to sending in a manuscript, and many require such before accepting him or her as a client.
Being familiar with what agents and publishers look for in a manuscript, I can spot the mistakes many first-time (and even seasoned) writers make.
Some of the areas I focus on are listed below:
|
Punctuation & Spelling |
Sentence
structure |
| Proper
word usage |
Subject/verb agreement |
| Clarity
of meaning |
"Showing"
vs. "Telling" |
|
Organization of ideas |
Smooth
transitions |
|
Redundancies |
Character/Concept development |
| Authentic
voice and tone |
Plotting
and pacing |
| Overall
substance |
Story
flow |
|
Compelling openings |
Memorable
sense of closure |
I offer each of my
clients honest, constructive, meticulous feedback,
which can be especially helpful to unpublished or first-time writers
readying their work for submission to agents or publishers, or to
those who want to take their writing to "the next level."
My primary objective is to assist my
clients in creating a finished product that is polished,
professional and derived from the most authentic "voice" they have
to offer, thus putting the odds in their favor when
submitting their work to an agent or publisher for consideration.
And there is always that "special ingredient" I look for and work
with the author to draw out, something I call the
"WOW! Factor"... writing that
"WOWs" the reader! |
