Do you need some help with editing? I ALWAYS do. In fact, I'm a firm believer in editing a book to death.
I have an amazing friend and critique partner who has recently begun to offer her services professionally. Now, I have worked with a number of people over the years, but Rachel is by far THE BEST. She specializes in sci-fi and fantasy, but has been kind enough to branch out to historical, and even dabbled in romance for my sake. (You're the best, Rachel!) I swear the woman never stops reading, and her understanding of the whole story process/balance is mind-blowing. She's the first person I want digging through my mess of a manuscript, and the last stamp of approval I want before sending it out the door.
Right now Rachel is giving away
1. A fifty page edit
2. A ten page edit
3. A 2-round query help
So how do you enter the giveaway? Hit her site and share word about the giveaway by tweeting, blogging, or leaving a comment about the contest. --But you have to hurry. Her giveaway ends on June 8th.
And that leads me to a point of curiosity. How many edits do you go through before standing back and calling it good?
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| P.S. She didn't give me permission to use this picture, but I wanted to use a personal rather than professional shot. |
Right now Rachel is giving away1. A fifty page edit
2. A ten page edit
3. A 2-round query help
So how do you enter the giveaway? Hit her site and share word about the giveaway by tweeting, blogging, or leaving a comment about the contest. --But you have to hurry. Her giveaway ends on June 8th.
And that leads me to a point of curiosity. How many edits do you go through before standing back and calling it good?
I think it depends on the story, but it's fair to say a LOT. Off to check out Rachel's site!
ReplyDeleteAmen to that. I'm on the 98th draft of one book. Granted, some of those edits were only partial edits, but I tell you what, every one made me a better writer.
DeleteI'll tweet this for you both!! Can always use more editing help.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Thanks, Sherry.
DeleteGreat giveaway!! I'm always on the lookout for editors to refer writers to. As far as drafts and revisions--I do at least 3 or 4. I just finished revision #5 with my agented novel, and there's at least one more to go. :)
ReplyDeleteCrystal, you've won the book TOUCH on my blog giveaway! (I have to tell you here 'cuz there's a No Reply for your blog profile address) Email me with your address, please! artzicarol [at] gmail [dot] com
Carol, that's power editing. I want to be like you when I grow up. =D --And thanks for the pointing that out. I didn't realize the switch had been flipped on my blogger profile. *grumble, grumble*
DeleteLOL, like me when you grow up. ;o) Yeah, I think knowing how to rewrite is often more important than knowing how to write a first draft...
DeleteI thought after 15 edits I would be done with my book, but that hasn't been the case. I'm starting to wonder if I have a problem, but people keep asking to read it and they have good feedback, so... yeah. I should find a stopping point soon. Haha :)
ReplyDelete15 is nothing. ;) I've finally come to the point where I believe it will never be perfect, so after 100 edits I should just stand back and let it be.
DeleteHow many edits? Well, once I get something finished, I'll tell you.
ReplyDeleteNice to hear of another editor. If I ever finish anything, I'll need her services.
LOL. I look forward to finding out.
DeleteIt feels like I'm always editing!
ReplyDeleteRight? It's like dishes or laundry. ;)
DeleteWasted on me I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteThe giveaway, or editing in general? ;)
DeleteRachel sounds like a great person to know!
ReplyDeleteYou can say that again. :)
DeleteHi, Crystal,
ReplyDeleteGood luck to Rachel with her new venture. Tweeting your post.
Hard to say how many rounds I go, but generally when I feel I want to pull my hair out if I read the ms one more time, it's time to quit.
LOL! That's a good guideline. I've hit that point before. =)
DeleteI don't really keep track of edit rounds. It's all one big continuing effort for me. But maybe three or four? I write pretty slowly and deliberately the first time through, so it usually isn't a huge mess to go through when I'm done.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome. That's the way I used to do it, but the truth is, no matter how pretty the draft is, there's always something that can be improved. I guess if you take enough time on the first draft though, most of those issues should be minor, eh?
DeleteWhat an awesome giveaway! I'm working on my first novel and I'm currently going through the 3rd round of edits. I'm not sure how many rounds it will take. I think it depends on the story. Some books will need more, some less. I know I'll need at least one more round of edits, maybe two before I call it quits.
ReplyDeleteFirst novels are tricky. I think my first one went through about 15 edits, and I'm going back to it one day to completely alter the target audience. It's amazing how much your writing style can change in just a couple years. :)
DeleteI go through three or four edits before calling it all good.
ReplyDeleteYou must be a pretty tight writer.
Deleteawesome! could always use a pro's advice! thanks!
ReplyDeleteFor you, Tara, any time. ;)
DeleteWhat a great way to get your services out. A giveaway. I love editing and wish her the best of luck as she takes her services public.
ReplyDelete