Devereaux Court: Author: VS Naipaul

Editing Tips You Probably Already Knew

- Adapt.
- First draft = first draft. Just write it. It doesn't have to be perfect - yet.
- Be Specific!
- Spell Check Is Our Friend
- Details - always details.
- Just because it's a big word, doesn't mean it's the *right* word.
- Always ask questions of your work. If you're confused, so are your readers
- Be consistent! Continuity errors annoy everyone.
- A story can be believable, even if it's set on another planet. Make sure your universe *works* within its own confines.
- Mind your tenses.
- Mind your homonyms.
- When it's finally finished...ignore it for a week or so. *Then* read it over. You catch more that way
- Read it aloud. How does the prose flow? Many things sound better in your head than out loud.
- Always leave plenty of space in your margins for comments.
- Remember: an editor is not out to personally attack you - and you don't have to always follow what they say. Ultimately, the choice to revise is yours.
- Know your audience.
- Read. Read everything. Watch how the published authors do it. See for yourself what works and what doesn't, and then make it your own.
- It's your baby - but even babies need to grow. Don't be afraid to let go of ideas that don't work