Aspiring novelists come in many varieties. While some write when the spirit moves them, others choose to move the spirit, whether it wishes to take a vacation or not. Regardless of which kind of writer one is, a difficult task for many is getting from one draft to another because when a book is complete, it feels so finished.
Despite this feeling of accomplishment, writers must realize that what seems like a great story embodied in a text of even better prose may be a rough draft in need of cuts, revisions, more detail, and other changes. This is where a good copy editor comes in.
Copy Editing Versus Proof Reading
Some writers think of hiring a copy editor for $25 an hour (or whatever the rate is) and say to themselves, 'I can check for capitalization and commas.' But that's not copy editing; that's proof reading. A proof reader is usually the final one to look at the product before it goes to print. Upon inspecting the proof, he or she notes minor errors and corrects them.
A copy editor reviews the copy of a work and notes these small errors as well as those in continuity (is the tense of the story consistent?), clarity (does the context make sense to readers?), and other major issues a work might need.
How to Find a Copy Editor
Copy editors are not hard to find. The Editorial Freelancers Association, for instance, allows writers to contact professional editors who are looking for work. They come in a wide variety of skills with different backgrounds.
While some might prefer to work on non-fiction, others like horror. Some are writers as well, and others wouldn't know much about getting a book into the marketplace outside of making sure one looks good beforehand.
What to do if Hiring a Copy Editor is too Expensive
For those who cannot swing the cost of a $250-1,000 manuscript makeover, there are always friends and family. The question is, will they give constructive feedback, and do they like the kind of story that is written?
If a writer was to give a manuscript to 10 people, he might receive a large amount of feedback from two, some feedback from six, and the remaining two will not have had the time to read it. These numbers aren't bad and when they come back the suggestions may open one's eyes to other better changes the work might need.
Regardless of how one goes about improving a manuscript, it needs to be done. It is a very rare occasion when a first draft is the last, and one that must have taken many more hours than other drafts of its kind.
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