Use Critique effectively

Recently, I got some excellent critique from a professional editor who is familiar with current trends. This was on the opening of a novel that had already been critiqued and revised multiple times and had achieved final approval from writers I respect.

The story is about a group of friends and takes place over decades, so it is important to establish the depth of that friendship immediately, but the professional editor pointed out that the current preference of publishers is to focus on action and dialogue because, in a world of instant information, readers have little patience for lengthy narration.

Other elements of her feedback were spot on, so when she suggested a narrator to work in backstory, my first impulse was to try and decide what character could act as a narrator. Then I got home and revisited the manuscript. I decided there were two problems with the input:

• The examples she gave of books using a narrator were science fiction, and my book most definitely is not.

• My book will most likely draw older adults as readers - many of whom don't participate in media that gives bites of information and they may prefer an older style of writing with more narration.

So, I'm compiling a list of books written in the last 5-10 years that use a narrator. I'll read them and note how it's handled and whether any are in this book's genre. Then I'll decide if I really want to have a narrator. I will of course also look at popular books in this genre that have been published recently - looking at writing style and hopefully finding some comps.

However, the feedback was spurred by the writing - the editor felt the opening was too slow due to too much backstory in narration, so I'll also go through the opening chapters to make some decisions about backstory:

• Does the reader ever need to know this? If not, cut it completely.

• When do they need to know it? If it can wait, cut and work it into the story later.

• If it can be worked into dialogue in a natural exchange, do it.

The final word? To use critique effectively, it's important to listen for the reasons suggestions are being given, to know your genre and audience, and to be ready to use the critique to improve your writing accordingly. Writers revise.

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When It's Okay Not to Revise or edit

When is it okay not to revise or edit? When you are the only audience. If you are writing a diary or journal, and have no plans to share it with the world, there's no reason to be obsessive about your grammar and spelling unless it matters to you. Since you're the one doing the writing, you will probably understand your train of thought easily, though if you read it again years from now, you may shake your head and wonder. But it's all yours, so that's okay.

It might be okay not to revise or edit if you're pulling together a memoir or a book you always wanted to write, and you're just going to print a few copies for friends and relatives. In that case, you don't have to worry if it's rough reading - as long as you don't mind putting them in the uncomfortable position of having to lie or risk hurting your feelings with the truth.

If you have published a book after intensive editing and revision and you find a few typos scattered through hundreds of pages, you may decide to revise and upload a new file (especially if the errors are in the first pages) or you may decide it's okay to leave it alone. Traditionally published books by famous authors often have one or two typos. It's okay not to be perfect.

However, if you are going to self-publish and have your book available for sale, you are hurting every self-publisher when you put out work that is poorly constructed and clearly not edited. You make it less likely readers will try new, independent authors.

If you don't want to take time to revise, if you just want to get it done and into print, please, just work with your local printer to get a few copies made instead of pretending to be a professional.

Amazon's CreateSpace used to allow people to upload files and buy author copies without "publishing"- so no one else can purchase the book. We did it for a K-8 yearbook and I helped a woman do it for her dad's book that he'd worked on for decades, but was not suitable for publication beyond family and friends. CreateSpace is gone and Amazon now does print books with KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing). Currently, it's not possible to get author copies from KDP without publishing except for PROOF copies - so labeled with a big banner. There's some discussion about KDP going back to allowing author only printing - if they do, I'll let you know.

Levels of Edit

There are different levels of edit. Before you hire an editor, make sure you know which kind of editing they are going to do - and whether or not your manuscript is ready for that type of edit. Insist on a clear explanation, because the types of edit are somewhat fluid.

If you're not quite sure how to tell your story or present your non-fiction work; or you're stuck part way; or you're finished but not quite satisfied with the project as a whole, a coach or consultant may help.

Developmental editors, substantive editors, structural editors, content editors, and book doctors may provide that type of global recommendation, but be clear if that's what you want. They also do closer developmental work, where they zero in on problems and offer solutions. They may do some line editing to demonstrate how revisions should be made. They may do major revisions or revise the organization of your work. (This is still primarily using your words, not creating new material from scratch like a ghostwriter would do.)

Line editors come in when you're satisfied the manuscript is shaped the way you want it. They work at the sentence and paragraph level to improve style and language. You might hire someone specifically as a line editor, but more often this kind of editing is done by the developmental editor once major revisions have been completed or as part of the copyediting service. Just don't assume it's being included - ask.

Copyediting is the nitty gritty detail work - spelling, grammar, punctuation. Ask if they include checking references and/or accuracy. Do they create a style sheet to keep the manuscript consistent throughout? Do they make corrections, or give notes for you to do that? Do they review the file in publication format?

Proofreading is a final check for typos and other errors. It should be done when the project is in publication format. It's best if they are familiar with publishing and genre conventions. If you're self-publishing, repeat proofing when you have a physical "proof" copy, before the book is released for purchase. If you're working with a publisher, ask if you can have a proof copy before the publication date. Sometimes errors that are missed on a screen pop right out once they're on paper.

Make your manuscript your best work. If you self-publish, make it every bit as good as a traditionally published book.

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