|

Let the manuscript teach you how to edit it

ByJennifer Lawler

One of the lessons I’ve learned over many years of editing is that you have to let the manuscript teach you how to edit it.

Every manuscript is different and every manuscript needs a different touch. Even when an author does something I’ve seen many times before, I have to edit for that particular manuscript, not for some generic idea I have about what makes a story good. The question is, what can I do to make this story better? How can I help it be what it’s trying to be, only more so?

For example, in a developmental edit, it is common for authors to info-dump – that is, to include too much unnecessary exposition, usually explaining backstory or describing why what’s happening is happening. In a fast-paced thriller, I would encourage the author to trim away more of this than I would in a fantasy novel where the author is exploring a setting.

And copyediting is no different. I’m not going to tell an author with a lush prose style to stop using so many adjectives (although I may suggest a few phrases they could trim away to let a particularly powerful bit of description take center stage). And I’m not going to tell someone with a spare, taut style that they need to stop and describe the lilac bushes planted around the CIA building in Langley, Virginia.

Whenever you have an editorial decision to make, look to the manuscript first to tell you how to make it.

Join the Club!

how to become an editor
Sign Up Now

New to story editing? Begin at the beginning.

Sign Up Now

Similar Posts

| |

3 Main Types of Editorial Queries

ByJennifer Lawler

As developmental editors, we use three main types of queries, and it’s important to distinguish among them so that the author isn’t confused about what needs to be done. What we don’t want to do is just write reaction queries: “John seems disappointed here.” Well, so what? What does the author need to do about…

Avoiding “Here’s How I Would Write it” as an Editor
| |

Avoiding “Here’s How I Would Write it” as an Editor

ByJennifer Lawler

Have you used the “here’s how I would write it” editorial query? In making editorial suggestions, editors sometimes drift into “here’s how I would write it” territory, which is something I discourage. Authors don’t care what you would have done. They want to learn what they can do that will make their manuscript better. What…

|

The Stages of Book Editing

ByJennifer Lawler

What are the stages of book editing? Book editing can be broken down into multiple pieces, so what exactly are the stages of book editing? Recently I came across this request (paraphrased): “A potential client has written a science fiction novel (350,000 words) and is asking me to proofread the manuscript, offer inline fact-checking on…

| | |

Freelance Book Editing

ByJennifer Lawler

If you’re interested in being a book editor, you’d probably like to have a clear idea of what a book editor does! Freelance book editing covers several different types of editing, which are covered below. What does a book editor do? Since I’m a freelance book editor and I teach freelance book editing, I’m going…

|

Editorial terminology

ByJennifer Lawler

Use the right words to prevent client confusion The other day I saw a writer upset that their editor promised several passes through their manuscript but in fact only did one. It was a classic case of miscommunication of editorial terminology. What the writer expected was for the editor to provide feedback through several revisions….

|

When an author’s work isn’t ready for development

ByJennifer Lawler

What do you do if an author has a manuscript isn’t ready for development—where you can’t find the plot or the ms has other really significant problems? A developmental edit is for a manuscript that generally contains a clear plot, at least somewhat developed characters, in a setting that makes sense. You typically wouldn’t perform…