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.