Over the past couple weeks I’ve had or overheard (well, overheard on Twitter – overTweeted?) conversations with a few authors that have me thinking about revisions. Revisions and editing are an absolutely crucial part of the writing process, and a part that should be done before querying. I think that most writers know this, but I also think that some writers don’t really know what it means. In my life as a book blogger, I have had self-published authors tell me that they have edited their work and fixed all the spelling errors. Okay, so correcting your spelling and grammar? Yes, a very important step, but this is not all the editing that is required before your book goes out in the world.
Do you know your weaknesses as a writer? Do you have a hard time cutting unnecessary scenes? Have a tendency to avoid conflict? Write out of order and have difficult time catching continuity errors? If you know where your weaknesses are, you may have an easier time fixing them. For instance, two weeks ago I was at a book signing for Amy Sue Nathan and she told us that she hates conflict, and so has a hard time including enough of it in her writing. In order to help herself revise, she maps out her story and writes “DANGER!” all over it in red, wherever there is conflict. That way she can see if she has enough, and whether there are areas that need more of it.
If you have trouble identifying your own weaknesses, you may need a critique partner or an editor. There are many freelance editors out there, and if you decide to go that route, try to get recommendations from writers you know. Otherwise you can try to find one or more critique partners. Check out a regional writers’ group, or one in your genre. Your local library or bookstore may have groups as well and many writers find critique partners through online communities or even Twitter.
Whether you are going to query agents, self-publish, or submit to small presses on your own, you want it to be as polished as possible before sending it out, and that means you’ve got to revise, revise, revise, preferably with a second set of eyes.
