5 Steps to Surviving an Edit

[eowyn_315]

5 Steps to Surviving an Edit is great blog post I saw linked at start_writing. It's directed toward professional authors who submit their manuscript to a freelance editor, but I think it works just as well if you go through the whole thing, change the word "editor" to "beta," and apply it to fanfic (except for the part where betas don't get paid, of course!).

Comments

[moscow_watcher]

Exactly. I was reading the post, thinking of you, and our endless discussions of characters' behavior in "Black Magic". I remember arguing with you over one particular phrase and then realizing, at the last moment that you're absolutely right. :)

[eowyn_315]

Hee, well, that's certainly good to hear. :)

[shinybaum]

I can't edit grammar for poop, but I often have to tear people's work apart and it isn't an easy thing to do without hurt feelings and tantrums.

[eowyn_315]

Very true. (And, you know, in betaing fic, the grammar is the easy part, because there are rules, and it's pretty hard to argue with them.)

[shinybaum]

Well it is definitely hard for me to argue against rules I didn't know existed. I'm a submissive wimp and just fix whatever I'm told to :D

[slaymesoftly]

Good stuff! I'm going to put a link in riters_r_us if that's all right with you. If not, let me know and I'll just copy/paste your entry and credit you with the find.

[eowyn_315]

Link away!

[moscow_watcher]

Thank you for linking the post - great read!

I need beta more than other ficwriters, because English isn't my native language. In a way, it's my excuse not to feel bad when my betas point at my (numerous!) blunders - "hey! I'm writing in foreign language!" Actually I try to work with two betas: one for grammar and style, one for plot and voices. I was very lucky to find excellent betas. *knocks wood*

[eowyn_315]

Oh, definitely, a beta is essential when writing in a foreign language. But it's pretty impressive that you can do it at all, so I think some mistakes can be excused. :)

[silk_labyrinth]

Followed the link from riters_r_us to this posting. Good stuff! Thanks.

[eowyn_315]

Glad it was helpful!