It was the best of edits, it was the worst of edits. Tell us, the best edit or manuscript advice you received, and the worst?
Happy New Year! Brenda starting off 2025.
As every writer knows, a book will succeed or fail based on the quality of the editing. I've come to appreciate the editing process more and more with every manuscript that I've written, accepting that you simply can't skimp on the process.
As a helpful side note, I watched a Zoom webinar once where the author made a post-it note timeline of each chapter, arranging on sheets of paper in chapter order. It seems simple, but it helped to keep the weather, date, order of plot points, etc., straight. This is an especially helpful hint for editing.
Good manuscript advice: Don't worry about getting everything correct on draft one. Write the story with a sense of freedom with the understanding that you'll be spending a lot of time finessing it later.
If I'm giving advice, I'd add to make sure each paragraph and chapter has a reason for being included, whether moving the plot forward, developing character, planting a clue ... attempt not to ramble, information dump, or pad with filler. I'd add to focus on the paragraph and chapter you're writing at the time and not to be concerned with the entire manuscript. It's almost magical how the story all comes together in the end.
As for the worst editing advice I've ever received, I honestly can't think of anything. Every editor I've ever worked with has had the best interests of the manuscript at heart and we've worked together to improve the final product. Some editors have been better than others at catching all the errors, alas, but there's not one thing I can point to in regards to advice.
Editing is a time-consuming, meticulous endeavour that doesn't get easier. I've learned that even when I believe a piece of writing is as perfect as I can get it, there's always something to improve once I have another read through. It's all part of the sweat and joy of creating, and that's okay by me. After all, if it was too easy, there'd be no challenge and no feeling of accomplishment when all is polished and done.
Website: www.brendachapman.ca
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