editing

“Writing is like riding a bike. Once you gain momentum, the hills are easier. Editing, however, requires a motor and some horsepower.” Gina McKnight

“Editing. It’s like dieting; except a lot more violent.” Leya Delray

https://foxprinteditorial.com/my-books/ FYI: new Tiffany Yates Martin book out today. I know a lot of us have found her previous book Intuitive Editing invaluable. This looks like another essential addition to the writer's bookshelf.

Yesterday I dug up the first short story I ever wrote, back in 2011. I loved it at the time. It is a hybrid between real experiences from my life, and some necessary fiction to move the scenes along. I'm not sure if it constitutes creative non-fiction, but something of that nature. I wrote it in...

“Editing might be a bloody trade, but knives aren’t the exclusive property of butchers. Surgeons use them too.” Blake Morrison

Hello! Some of you were lovely enough to critique a 700 word flash piece I did recently. Along with the incredible feedback from yourselves and others, and a desire to expand it to a 2-3k short story, I am struggling with keeping the essence of the story in while trying to expand it out. I've...

Antony Horowitz is a prolific author and writer for the large and small screen. He has been told to edit his latest manuscript to remove certain thoughts, phrases and expressions that may cause offence. He said - “What is happening to writers is extremely dangerous,” he continued, “where...

I have 5 grammar hacks that I use quite regularly when I write and edit - especially the 'by zombies' trick with passive voice and switching in pronouns in instances of who/whom. What grammar hacks do you find yourself using all the time? (I might add them to my list too!).

You've written the last line of your book, and you have that expansive euphoria that comes with a job well done. An almost uncontrollable urge to share your accomplishment with the world washes over you. You want to show your new book to your friends, agents, publishers - or, God forbid...

Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone had any experience of, or recommendations for, any professional UK editors, or editorial agencies? Additionally, what are peoples' thoughts on the manuscript assessment that many such websites offer? Ta

Fellow Litopians, lend me your ears... I have set up Final Polish Editorial Services to help authors cross the finish line, to ensure all your hard work is given the best possible chance of success, because we all become word blind to our work. I'm a long-standing member of Litopia (back to...

This isn't a plug for writing software, but I thought some of you might find it useful because it lists many things we can do by hand when we edit our own work. :) Request Rejected

I've purchased the premium version of ProWritingAid, for use with editing my work, and found the desktop version (on a Mac) is extremely slow. Has anyone else had similar experience, or views on the software in general?

After five years of on and off writing, and re-drafting, with the creative excitement of plot twists and suspense, then a year of editing down 'til it bleeds, I'm left with no objectivity. Is it still a unique beautiful, tragic, story, or is it nothing? How do you gauge what you're left with...

When working at editing and reworking your writing, does anyone else become overwhelmed with doubts that it is all tripe, balderdash and piffle, unreadable fluff?