Wednesday, June 30, 2010

How do you like to edit?

I like to edit.

My favorite way to edit is to print a chapter off at a time (or entire manuscript if it is a picture book), and read over it. I find so many more errors on the printed page than on the computer screen.

When we're going places, my husband usually drives, so I will take my printed pages with me and edit while in the car.

Or, like this morning, I will take it with me when I go for a walk and read and edit while I walk. It is especially nice early in the morning before the sun gets too hot. Just remember to watch your step! It makes the walk go a lot quicker, too. Getting out in the sunshine is much better than sitting and staring at the computer.

My pages I took with me this morning are filled with lots of chicken scratches. I am now ready to retype it on the computer.

How do you edit?

On another topic. I recently celebrated a birthday.

My son presented me with this. . .


It is for $50 and I am now doing a happy dance. So many books. . . any suggestions?

11 comments:

  1. What a great gift! He knows you well.
    How do I edit? Well, I read it over and over again and then I read it backwards. And I still miss things.

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  2. Well, Jan, when it comes to editing...I'm like Becky...and I usually always make changes.

    Andrew is such a thoughtful son, and a great nephew. He will make someone a great husband...someday.

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  3. Happy belated Birthday! What a thoughtful son. I never have money to spend on clothes, it seems, but I always have money for books! Editing? Endless. I <3 revision!

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  4. Hi! I just found your blog through another one. Editing... well... I'm not there yet with any of my "real" wips (especially since I just started a new one), but I take after my mom when it comes to being a stickler for grammar in my writing. Hopefully it will go well! Good luck with yours! Happy birthday and enjoy your booky $! Yay!

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  5. Happy belated birthday, Janet. What a wonderful gift.
    The way I edit is by letting my mother read my work. She's great at catching mistakes.

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  6. Great gift~and Happy Late Birthday! I like to print off sections to edit, too. I think my brain 'fills in' less when it's on the page instead of on the screen!

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  7. Happy belated Birthday! I love gift cards to book stores. Hope you enjoy your week.

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  8. Happy belated birthday. I like to use a variety of editing techniques from reading it aloud to printint it on paper. I recently tried color-coding the manuscript. It was an interesting exercise.

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  9. Janet,
    Just dropping by to see if you're having a good summer and doing a lot of writing. I hope all is well with you. Have a great day.

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  10. Happy Belated Birthday!

    I edit as I write, which slows me down some. When it comes to PBs, I see things clearer when I print them up, so I edit the same way you do. I'm working on a MG now and I've found it's really hard for me not to edit as I go.

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Thank you for your comments. I love comments!