Writer Wednesday: Others Smell Your Stink More Than You Do

You know the saying. "The one who smelt it dealt it." In my experience that is rarely true of a person's malodorous behind. And when applied to the world of writing, I boldly assert that it's never accurate.

When it comes to our writing, we can rarely appreciate the full extent to which our prose reeks. While it is certainly true that we need to be our own first editors (and the better you become at editing, the more exceptional your writing will be), we cannot rely on our own eyes and minds to be the sole arbiters of the strengths and weaknesses of our work.

So let us be clear and establish Law #1: Every manuscript we produce MUST be read and commented upon by someone other than the writer.

Having accepted this law, we then must seek out a person or persons to critique our work. I recall clearly that at my first writer's conference back in 2009, I heard ad nauseam of the need to be in a critique group. The sounds like sound advice given Law #1 and many newbie writers run around with their hair on fire seeking out the perfect critique group.

The truth is that finding a critique group can be difficult. Many are closed to accepting new members. Still others are not a good fit. Many writers have never been in a critique group, and their writing has not suffered for it (possibly due to the constraints of a critique group/partner that I'll point out below). 

If you are in a critique group and it works for you, great. But I urge writers also to consider getting an "outside" opinion. Pushing yourself to receive feedback from a completely unbiased and skilled freelance editor may help you kick your writing up a notch.

Time for another bold assertion. Your critique group partner(s) and beta reader(s) are only slightly more able to parse out the true extent of the rotten parts of your manuscript than you are.

Why? Because they are not disinterested. Anyone that is in a relationship with you will be unable to provide an unbiased opinion.

You're not going to accept my bold assertion without argument, are you? Good. You shouldn't. I submit two pieces of anecdotal evidence for you to consider.

First, people in a relationship with one another consistently hold back the whole truth in order to preserve the relationship. This is human nature. When you ask your partner, "Do these jeans make your butt look fat?" how many would say yes even if said jeans make your ass looks like a hippo's butt stuffed into denim? The answer is very few. Any partner that said your ass looks like a hippo's butt would be considered an asshole and thus be putting the relationship in danger (whether he/she knows that or not).

We lie to the ones we love and care about to preserve their feelings, especially when we value the relationship. I submit that this is an aspect of human nature that we cannot escape, even in a critique group.

Second, people abhor conflict. Especially women people. I know this because I worked as a divorce lawyer and mediator for nearly twenty years. Time and time again, I saw people (especially women people) in relationships that did not work for them; agreeing to terms that were not in their best interest; and otherwise doing and saying things that went against their own truth simply to avoid conflict. And we doubly especially want to avoid conflict with people who we are in a relationship with. Thus, it is highly likely that your critique partner will hold back on pointing out just how smelly your MS is in order to safeguard your feelings so that, 1) You won't hate them and thus continue to be their critique partner; 2)To avoid conflict with you; so 3)The preserve the quid pro quo relationship that you've established to trade critiques of each other's work.

Now if you're okay with getting feedback that points out perhaps 50% of the smelliness factor in your MS but holds back a bit in order to guard against bruising your ego or perhaps ending the quid pro quo, then disregard this post entirely.

BUT, if you have the sense that maybe at least some of what I'm saying is true, then I suggest you do the following with your current manuscript:

HIRE A FREELANCE CONTENT EDITOR.

Paid editors are not in a relationship with you. They are not your friends, family, co-workers, critique buddies or avid readers of your work. They are interested only in the words on the page (and being paid) not your vivacious personality or quid pro quo.

I have had critique buddies, beta readers and paid editors. Without question, even the worst paid content editor delved deeper into my MS and pointed out more funk than the best critique partner or beta reader. And good content editors have helped me elevate my writing to new levels with their laser sharp focus that doesn't let me get away with anything.

Another thing I should mention that is a factor here deals with paying people for work. If you rely on free advice (even if it's quid pro quo), the fact is that people are busy with things other than your manuscript. Your MS is of the highest priority to you but no one else. 

When you hire a paid editor, your MS becomes her priority for a time because it's her job. You got moved up the priority list for her, and you're top. That means that the paid editor has more energy, time and focus to devote to your MS.

As I said, I've hired quite a few freelancers over the years. Some have been very expensive and frankly not worth the money. Others have been very expensive and worth the money but, well, very expensive and thus not affordable to use over and over again for each new work.

But one company stands out and I'm going to give them an unsolicited plug here: Red Adept. I've used Red Adept three times now and each time I've been placed with a different content editor. All three have exceeded my expectations and I've always felt that the service was worth more than what I paid. How often does that happen in life?

I recently hired Red Adept for a content edit of my current manuscript, H.A.L.F. The content edit took about two weeks, and I received back nearly 2000 comments on my manuscript plus a 21 page, single-spaced letter with feedback. The editor pointed out things that I've done well and my strengths to build on. But she did not hold back in pointing out issues with plot, sub-plot, pacing and characters (as well as other issues).

I'll be honest. When I get the content editor's notes back, I often feel despair. After all, when I sent the MS I felt happy with it and thought it was nearly good to go. But when I get it back and see a comment in nearly every sentence? Well, it induces a desire for chocolate and wine (not necessarily in that order and hopefully both together).

But I let it sit for a day or two. When I go back to it, I realize that nearly everything the editor pointed out is something that I had already considered, but perhaps wasn't sure if it really needed changing. Or I was stuck in my old way of thinking about it and thus unable to see how to change it. The content editor's suggestions spark my creativity, and I'm off and running, my excitement for the story invigorated as I rework the problem areas.

To be clear, a content editor will NOT rewrite your manuscript for you. She will not take your pile of poo and rework it into a masterpiece. But she WILL point out the obvious and not-so-obvious flaws in your work and often make suggestions for how you can rid your manuscript of its stink and make it smell lovely.

Another Note: Do NOT hire a content editor to critique your first draft. That is a waste of your money and their time. DO work on the MS until you feel that you've gone as far as you can go. DO run it through Grammarly so that it's as free of typos, misspellings and grammar issues as you can make it so that your content editor can focus on the big picture. If you do this, you'll get more out of your content edit.

Finally, if you're not yet ready for a content editor but would like the assistance of a second pair of eyes, you may also consider a paid beta read. I provide affordable beta read services to writers (see my page about it here). This is NOT A CONTENT EDIT but it will be an unbiased read and critique of your MS.

Do you hire freelance content editor(s) for your work? If so and you can recommend them,  leave the name and website address in the comments for others to consider.

Next Wednesday: What to do with your content edit/paid beta read when you get it back.

Writer Wednesday: 3 Editing Tips for More Polished Prose

I am frequently asked to read and review books published by other Indie Authors. I'm happy to help other writers out. I love meeting a new story for the first time, and I'm in awe of the creativity of today's independent authors.

But I'm going to say something honest. It's a  truth that is mostly left unspoken.

Most self-published books aren't done baking yet. Authors rush to hit the upload button before the manuscript has received the attention that it deserves. The result: books that read like a unpolished manuscripts and fail to inspire readers. Readers may not finish such a book and if they do, will likely either not review it, not recommend it to their friends or worse, give it a negative review.

You may think this doesn't apply to you. Odds are, it does. Sorry, but statistically speaking, this probably applies to you.

I have downloaded over 200 samples of self-published works on my Kindle since I got it (about 2.5 years ago). Of those samples, I've been moved to purchase only about 10% and of those purchased, I can recommend only a handful to friends, family and other readers.

Lest you think me a book snob, understand that my unscientific stats of my  purchasing habits jibe with the habits of the general reading public. Like other readers, I'm drawn in by the covers and clever, well-written descriptions. I'm excited about the story and download the sample. But most of the time, generally within the first three chapters, I'm unwilling to continue.

Why? It's not for lack of interesting story or creativity. We Indies ooze creative ideas.

The problem, my writer friends, is not the pitch or the plot but the lack of punch to the prose. Okay, sometimes it's the plot too and the ubiquitous telling rather than showing (I feel another post coming on).

But even when the plot is kicking and the characters don't annoy the shit out of me, most Indie books lack polish. Before you roll your eyes at me and tell me how polish is overrated and doesn't matter, allow me to bitch slap some sense into you and tell you that polish does matter to readers. Passive voice, head hopping, inconsistencies, redundancies, typos, and poor grammar weigh down your story. The reader tends to lose their steam for an amazingly creative story when the lack of polish continuously jolts them out of the storyline.

Before you accuse me of being a self-righteous bitch, let me admit that I am guilty as charged. I published Emily's House, my first book, without taking it through the polishing phase that I now apply to my manuscripts. If I had taken the time to apply to Emily's House the tips I'm posting here today, it would have been a stronger book from the start. I'm not saying it would have been perfect or hit the NYT Bestseller list, but it would have been a more enjoyable read for anyone who was drawn in enough to purchase it.

But one of the truly wonderful things about self-publishing is that you can fix your mistakes. I first published Emily's House almost two years ago. Since then, I've written three more novels, gone to more writing workshops, worked with several more editors, and read and studied many more books both on my own and with writer pals.

I've learned a lot and grown exponentially as a writer. To honor that growth, I recently applied the editing and revision tips I've learned to Emily's House and uploaded a new edition (complete with a new ending!).

BUT, I don't recommend doing it that way. You only get one chance for a good first impression. It takes a lot of effort to find a reader and once you have them you don't want to squander the opportunity and end up turning that reader off, maybe forever, to your writing. Give readers the absolute best book that you can the first time. Take a few more weeks or even months to polish your manuscript. The result will be a much more successful book. I guarantee it.

If I've made you feel insecure and worried, good. That's the way you should feel. Somewhere inside that feeling like you've been punched in the gut lies the testament of your devotion to your craft. If you didn't care, you wouldn't hurt so much you want to puke.

After you cry in your coffee, wallow in your ice cream and decide that writing a novel is a crazy, foolish vocation for someone far more nuts than you, pull yourself up out of that pile of melted Phish Food and get back to work.

Before you hit the upload button, take a step back and apply these tips and  polish your prose. If you do, you will be rewarded with an eminently more readable, a.k.a. enjoyable, book.

And that, my writer friends, makes for happy readers. And as we all know, happy readers come back for more of your work, and that makes for happy writers.

Let me know if you use any or all of these and how it worked for you. And if you have editing tips, please leave your tip in the comments. Need an incentive? I'll choose one random commenter to win a nifty prize :-) Make sure you leave your e-mail address in order for me to contact you about your prize. Prize will be announced on my Facebook page and the winner will be e-mailed on November 13, 2013.

1. The Find Function is Your Friend

This is a super easy thing to do but time consuming. It's perfect for a day when you feel brain fried but you have time and will feel guilty if you don't work on your novel.

Use the "Find" function in your word processing program to seek out superfluous words. I've got my own list but feel free to add:

• Just
• Even
• Then
• Began
• Start(ed)
• Now
• Some
• -ing

Example: 

I fried a whole package of bacon then drained it on some paper towels then began to eat the entire pile of greasy, smoked pig.

Let me try that one again:

I fried a whole package of bacon, drained it on paper towels, and ate the entire pile of greasy, smoked pig. 

Do you see the difference? Do you agree that the second sentence flows more smoothly?

Did you notice the -ing in my list above? That -ing means that you should root out and eradicate as much passive voice as you can. I've lately been driven nearly insane by the passive voice in self-pubbed books I've picked up. There are appropriate times to use passive voice. But if every verb in every paragraph ends in -ing, you are using too much passive voice. Try this. Take one paragraph from your manuscript that's loaded with passive voice. Rewrite it  in active voice. Have a friend or family member read both out loud to you. Which sounds better to your ears? Which flows better?

Now imagine that you have cleaned up your entire manuscript this way. This incredibly simple step will tighten your prose and make it more enjoyable to read.

2. Grammarly

It seems to me that we now have two camps of writers when it comes to grammar. The first camp is made up of curmudgeonly grammarians that take pleasure in knowing each and every archaic rule of grammar and in pointing out to others when they have gone astray.

If you are a Grammarian, you can skip this tip. It's not for you. It's for those of us who are mere mortals (and who likely have not studied grammar since, you guessed it, grammar school).

The second camp contains writers who flip off the Grammarians as they happily write run on sentences, squint their modifiers and gleefully dangle their participles. The camp two Grammar Rebels think that grammar rules are terribly outdated and, for the most part, unnecessary. "Hey, as long as they know what I'm saying, who cares?"

And you know, the Grammar Rebels have a point. What is the point of grammar rules if not to ensure that all who read your work can understand what you're saying?

But listen up Grammar Rebels, grammar rules still matter. Yes, there are some that you can ignore because to follow the rule will make you - or your character - sound like a pompous ass (unless you want your character to sound like a pompous ass in which case apply as many old-school grammar rules as you can when writing their dialogue). The rules that can be kicked to the curb are the exception, not the rule.

"Is the grammar and spell check in my word processing program enough?" you ask.

No.

If you have been out of grammar school more years than you've owned your current car and you're not a Grammarian, I highly recommend that you invest in Grammarly.

Grammarly will not only point out grammar errors but it will tell you the rule and give you examples of both the correct and incorrect use. I found this very helpful to not only clean up my draft, but also to learn how to do it better next time. Trust me, after you've been told that you have squinting modifiers about a hundred times, you start to get the drift. I have found that using Grammarly consistently has helped me to avoid some of my most common errors in the first place.

But the program also checks not only for spelling errors, but it will also point out places where you can sauce up your word choice. For example, the program highlights the word "good" and suggests more descriptive words you could use instead.

Neat, huh?

Grammarly has a plug in for Word for Windows. If you use Mac, you'll have to cut and paste the text you want to check into the web-based program, make your changes, then cut and paste it back into your document.

After you've applied tips 1 and 2, time to move onto Tip #3:

3. Story Time

Have you ever read your entire manuscript out loud? If you haven't, I highly recommend you try it. Even after all the revision, tweaking, editing and re-writing, you will be amazed by how much you change as you read aloud.

As you read and speak at the same time, your editing brain is engaged in a different way than when you are merely reading silently. Things that have slipped by you (and maybe even an editor or two) will jump out at you. You'll find typos but you'll also notice redundancy and inconsistency.

Are any or all of these tips news to you or old hat? Do you have others that you recommend? Please leave your comment below :-)

Sometimes Editing can Kickstart the Muse

You've been working on a novel for about three years.  You finished it and put it away for a while as you began your next project.  Then you pulled it out, revised, tweaked, revised, got feedback then revised some more.  You've been doing this for about six months now and think you've gone as far as you can without professional help.

Then you pull a book on writing off the shelf and start reading a chapter about editing and revising your own work.  Two pages in  you realize you're not done revising.  And as you read the instructor's advice you see revisions that you need to make spring to your mind's eye.  And suddenly you even see a new end to your novel, and that leads you to see how to polish the first chapter.  Now you're juiced because you weren't content with those two paragraphs - you thought you could do better - but couldn't see how to improve them.  But now you do and you found it on your own and isn't that amazing.

So you put on music that fuels your fire and you grab the large mug of coffee and get to the keyboard.  Your fingers are like lightening across the keys.  You can't type fast enough to get it all down but you do your best.  You create and fill the pages with new and better material.  You write for hours not paying attention to the clock or the hunger in your stomach or the tiredness of your eyes.  You have to get it all down in that magic moment that is so elusive.

Now it's time to put it away again, at least for a few days.  No need now to worry about puncutation and spelling and grammar.  It's not necessary to fret over word choice or voice or pacing or any other element.  Just open the decanter and let it breathe for a while.  Let the pages swirl around in your subconscious while you go about the business of your life and your writing.  Plenty of time to come back to it later and see it once again with fresh eyes.