Some Thoughts On Editing

Why edit? What I write doesn't need any editing. No one can know my writing like I do. Editing will change what I want to say. I won't subject my writing to someone who isn't familiar with it. Your story is yours. You know what you want to say, and how you want to say it. You feel good about your efforts. Still, you feel something is not quite right. You recognize what you've written might benefit from some editing, but your reluctance to let someone else go over it is holding you back. Why edit? Because editing can make your story better.

You've made the decision yo have your story edited. More questions await. What do you want from this editing? How extensive are you willing to let this editing be? Who do you want to edit your story? Editing takes commitment, from you and you editor. Are you willing to listen to your editor's suggestions? Editing takes commitment, from you and your editor. With this commitment, your story may indeed become better.

There are editors who can help with spelling and punctuation. And editors who can help with the body of your story, offering suggestions that go to the building or improving character, and aiding the overall clarity of your story. There are editors who can look at phrases, paragraphs, or longer passages, and will suggest where you  you might cut, add to, or  re-position them with the idea of making your story more  understandable. But, where do you find an editor? There are freelance editors you can hire. Asking a friend to edit for you is, I believe, a valid option. You can act as your own editor, at least in some areas. Whichever way you choose, editing your story can can help you achieve success as a writer.

Some Thoughts On Self Publishing

Why self  publishing? Because I see it as a legitimate alternative to the major publishing houses. It may lack the prestige of a Doubleday, or any of that breed, but self publishing is a good way  to go. For Some, but not for all.

Self Publishing services and Print On Demand offer interesting choices. So do other forms of electronic publishing. Of greater appeal to me, and offering the flexibility a writer might want, is forming your own publishing company. If you prefer running things yourself, and operating on your own schedule, you may find having your own publishing company is for you. Being your own publisher can be challenging, and the commitment is takes can be daunting, gut if you feel up top the task, the challenges can be diminished. And that's good. It can be the difference between something  enjoy and something that gets the better of you. If you are familiar, or wish to become so, with being your own editor, self publishing can pay dividends. Edit well. You wouldn't want to publish anything that you don't feel right about.

You've made the decision to have your own publishing company. Now what? You can, at least in the beginning, publish you own work. It's what you know best. You can ask yourself these questions: Is this what I'd like others to read? Do I feel good about this? If the answer is yes, then you're on you way.

In educating myself on the various self publishing and and print on demand services available, I am coming to the conclusion that these are good choices. They will most likely lead you in the right direction. Different services are provided, like editing, which you pay for. I think being your own publisher gives you the most control over what you publish. You can publish when you and how you want. I'm not sure there's such a thing as total control in the publishing world, but I believe being your own publisher comes close. I also believe the writer is missing an opportunity if he or she dismisses self publishing out of hand, or is told by others, and listens to them, that self publishing should not be considered.

There are good reasons to self publish. You might be dissatisfied with trying major publishing houses.Or with contracts that might deliver less than what they promise.You may be frustrated with rejection after rejection. It may seem you can't find anyone willing to buy, or appreciate, what you've written. There's good news, and I believe it is good news. This same self publishing that might have been looked down upon by writers and the publishing industry alike seems to be finding respect. It may take awhile before both feel comfortable with it. My hope is this comfort will come sooner rather than later, assuring self publishing of its legitimacy. The truth is self publishing has been with us for a very long time,  predating the inventions of movable type and the printing press. Acclaimed writers have self published. Advances in the computer, from desktop publishing to the worldwide web, have given self publishing great accessibility This presents the dilemma that, while many can publish, should they?The question is an intriguing one. If everything in you says Yes, if the thought of not publishing leaves you feeling empty inside, it would seem you have the answer. Having your name among the published can leave you with a very good feeling, If you car about what you publish, your answer would seem to be clear. The answer, clear or not, may come down to how serious a writer you want to be. If your writing efforts center around family and friends, that's okay. Depending on their knowledge of writing, they can give you valuable feedback. Why not give them the opportunity to show how helpful they can be? Why not ask them some questions? They may welcome the interest you've paid to them. Can they follow your story? How well is your story developed? How are your characters presented? Does your story make sense? These are questions, in my opinion, you should be asking yourself. Allow them to feel a part of your writing process. If your desire is to publish for family and friends, that's okay. You can consider yourself a publisher.

I feel self publishing is a valid form of  publishing growing in respectability. If your choice is to self publish, I believe the choice is one you can feel good about. If your desire is to be a  published author, self publishing can be a smart way to go.

This is a space to share what I feel about writing not only the short story, but the novel as well. Even the best writers see things they can improve upon. They can grow in their perspective, or change it entirely. A writer's satisfaction with his work may become greater than when he started out. He may become more skilled in his writing, a very good thing. Developing is the best word to use here. It is what separates the good writers from the not so good. 

I have heard many times that a writer should write for the reader, or a variation on that statement. I will not diminish this, but I disagree with this being the only reason to write. Write for yourself, in the sense that you should strive to be pleased with what you produce. If you can say this, and say, "I feel good about what I've done," you've done a very good thing for yourself. You may find others agreeing with you, and this may spur you to be a better writer. 

I wouldn't be surprised if many a published author writes, in part, for themselves. Being proud of what you do, with having your name associated with a your work, whether novel or short story, is a good thing to strive for. There's no reason you can't help you editor along by letting him or her see a polished manuscript. You can write as if you were the editor, a challenge worthwhile. There are benefits to writing for yourself. Be careful, though. Published writers have readers. Your first reader just might be that editor you're hoping will look favorably upon your story or novel. Followed by the reading public. Keeping your potential reader in mind may be a good way to proceed. You want to publish. These ways, plus others, might help you to get there, and are additional challenges that may be worthwhile. 

What if your goal is not to publish? Yes, you heard this right. Expressive writing is a truly meaningful type of writing. It is where writing for yourself has a firm hold, casting no shame upon the writer. Expressive writing is personal writing. Emotional writing. And, in the case of the victimized, writing that  heals. It is also non-judgmental, where the purpose is to help the writer. I firmly believe in this type of writing.