So, I’m making progress. It’s been about 5 months since I got the offer on my book, and it’s about 15 months until it hits the shelves. I’ve finished the major revisions, and now my editor has mailed me a new copy of the manuscript with minor revisions. It’s called a line edit. To give you an idea of what that is, I’ve scanned in a sample page from my manuscript complete with notes and edits. But first, let’s dispel a few myths:
1. Writers are good at grammar. Not all writers. Or maybe, all writers but one. (Namely, me.) I never realized there were so many rules to using commas. I just thought they looked pretty in certain spots.
2. Not all editors use red pen. This was a happy surprise. My editor uses green. Otherwise, my pages would look like a bloody mess. :-)
3. You have to write the perfect book to sell in today’s market. You don’t have to write the perfect book if you find a patient editor with lots and lots of green pencils.
So, here is a page with Editor Stacy’s notes. If you click on the type, I believe it will get bigger and easier to read. If not, give me a shout out and I’ll try to reconfigure. Oh — and you’ll see a line at the top has been highlighted. That’s my note. As I go through and make corrections, I highlight spots that I’m not sure I’ve nailed on the first try. That way, I’ll be sure to go back and take a second look. I’m working through two chapters a day and planning to finish by the end of the month. After that, who knows. Teeny tiny line edits?
Fascinating!! Thanks for sharing!