Melanie Bell

Author, Writer, Editor

Tag Archives: editor


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The Reluctant Author’s Guide to Revisions

So, you’ve finished the first draft you were writing. Congratulations! It takes a lot of effort and discipline to get this far. Take time to acknowledge the work you put in, celebrate its completion, and take a break in order to give yourself some distance from the work.

Maybe you’ve done this. Maybe that break has taken a little too long now, and you’re reluctant to get back to work on your project. Maybe you’re scared to begin editing it, or you aren’t sure how to start.

That was me not long ago after I’d finished the first draft of a manuscript. Even though I edit and write as my job, I got stuck this time around and wasn’t quite sure what to do next. It took time to get moving, but this is what I did, and these are some of the things that worked for me. Maybe they’ll work for you, too.

  1. Get feedback: If this is your first book, or if it’s a different type of project from the ones you’ve written before (like this manuscript was for me), feedback from an objective outside source can be especially helpful to give you a sense of your book’s pros and cons. I recommend reaching out to people with expertise in the area you’ve written about and asking them to review your manuscript. Both written and oral feedback can be helpful, as is getting multiple opinions—one person will catch issues that another person misses. It can also be useful to find a reader or readers who aren’t as familiar with your subject. These people can point out areas that are confusing, where your writing will benefit from further clarification.
  2. Get focused: What’s your book about? Do you know your project’s topic and key messages, or have these changed while you were writing? Feedback can help you see what others perceive your book’s focus to be. Another way to get a sense of this is to reread your book and write a summary or blurb about it, highlighting the main points of what you read. If the book you’ve finished is different from the book you set out to start, your revisions will need to either build on the new focus or build a bridge back to the old one. If you’re writing on contract, your book might need some revisions to make sure that it still follows the focus you were asked to write about. Either way, there are ways to make a change of focus into an advantage.
  3. Take out unnecessary things: As you were reviewing your book’s focus, you or others may have found that parts of it distract from the main idea. If something seems off-topic and doesn’t add to the point you’re making, it may not belong there. Make sure you save your draft, and once you’ve done that, don’t be afraid to cut the unnecessary bits. These might be chapters, topics, or sentences.
  4. Boredom-proof your book: Are your readers bored at any point? When you reread your manuscript, are there places where you’re bored? Your intended audience is interested in your topic, but that doesn’t mean that you will automatically have their attention. A book still needs to be engaging and relevant. A boring section might be overly dry; if that’s the case, liven up the language and try adding examples. It might mean that an explanation is too long—if so, condense it. It might be confusing—if so, work on clarity. Ask yourself why this section reads as boring—and rewrite it until you’re interested in reading it again.
  5. Add more when needed: Just as rereading and getting feedback can show you where you need to cut things, it can also show you places where you need to expand. Identify these places and then identify what they’re missing. Do they need more explanation or more examples? Do some of your ideas need to be connected more closely? Do you need to do more research? Once you know what you’re missing, work on adding it in.
  6. Check spelling, grammar, and flow: Once you’re happy with the changes you’ve made to the content, take a look at the technical aspects of your manuscript. Use a spelling and grammar checker, along with your own eyes, to ferret out typos. Work on smoothing out your sentences. If you have an editor, they will help a lot with this too, but they’ll also be thankful if you take the time to reread your manuscript and edit out the errors and clunky bits you spot!
  7. Vary your writing routine: Sometimes a boring routine is a factor that gets in the way of writing. If that’s the case for you—if you’re dreading sitting at that same old desk where you wrote your first draft, for example—try something new. Put on music that creates an enjoyable space for writing, whether it’s energizing or calming. Write in a different place, whether that’s a café, a quiet retreat, or a room full of other writers working simultaneously. Write at a different time from the usual. Try printing out your pages, rereading them, and editing them longhand. Sometimes changing the way you write is all you need to get into that editing headspace to make your writing the best it can be!


Revising your book can be an anxiety-inducing prospect, but it doesn’t have to be. The tips above will help you complete a book that brings your ideas clearly into the world and puts your best foot forward.


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5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Editor

You’ve invested time, effort, and skill in a writing project that matters to you. You’ve taken your idea from inspiration to a complete draft, with all the hours that it’s entailed. Congratulations! Not everyone has the tenacity and productive habits to finish a project. It’s truly something to be proud of. As happy as you are to have completed something, though, you know that it can be better. Maybe the structure, phrasing, and grammar would benefit from an external eye. With this in mind, you’re wondering if a professional edit would be a good investment.

Here are five things to consider before getting in touch with an editor.

1. Is your work as good as you can make it on your own?

First drafts are usually messy. This is where writers work out their ideas on the page; subsequent drafts are where they iron out the kinks. If you’ve only written one draft, it’s useful to take some time away from the page, and then come back to it with your own editorial eye. Look for any problems and try your hand at fixing them, a process which may, in some cases, take several drafts. Beta readers and critique groups are also valuable sources for feedback as you self-edit. If you take the time to edit your own work as best you can, you’ll know that it’s as strong as you can make it. If you then seek input from an editor, they’ll be providing insights that you couldn’t think of for yourself.

2. What type of editing are you looking for?

If you’ve taken the self-editing process as far as you can, an editor can be an excellent investment. Not all editing is identical, however. The key is to start the process with a good sense of what type of input you’re looking for. If you’re interested in having high-level input on your manuscript, dealing with topics such as structure and logic, look for a developmental edit. A manuscript assessment (usually an in-depth report rather than a full edit) is a good choice if you primarily want an opinion on whether your work is publishable at this point and what will get it to that stage. Line editing and copy editing focus on refining your manuscript’s language. If spelling and grammar are difficult for you, or if you want to prepare your manuscript for self-publishing, you might be interested in a proofread. Proofreading isn’t editing, per se, although it’s a similar service. It’s all about catching errors rather than changing content, so it’s a good investment to consider if you’re just looking for that final polish.

3. What’s your timeline?

Some editors have faster turnarounds than others, depending on their schedules. Make sure to negotiate timelines up front. You don’t want the editing to be a rush job on either end. Editors may also need you to be available for back-and-forth input. Make sure that you have the time to commit to the process.

4. What are the editor’s qualifications?

As you do your research on available editors, look into the experience they bring to the table. Some editorial services may come cheap, but how qualified are the editors? While a lack of qualifications doesn’t necessarily equate with a lack of ability – some excellent editors are just starting out – there is an element of risk involved. I’ve had clients approach me because they were disappointed with previous editorial or proofreading services, and they ended up paying two professionals where they could have hired one. Look for editorial experience, client lists, testimonials, and other signs that the people you’re researching have a track record of good work.

5. Do you require additional services?

If you’re looking to self-publish after editing, you may want further professional help to make your manuscript into a book. Most editors aren’t graphic designers, cover artists, or publicists. However, they might know and be able to recommend people who offer these services. There are also companies that offer package services, with editing, design, and publishing assistance. As always, be sure to research, look for experience and quality, and seek a personal fit.

Getting a manuscript from draft stage to its final form takes lots of careful handling. You don’t have to do it alone. The internet is full of experienced editors whose skills can help your work shine!


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The Myth of the Solitary Writer: How to Build a Support Team

Think of a writer. You’re probably picturing a lone figure with a laptop, right? A big part of being a writer is the writing itself, an activity that’s usually done in solitude by a single individual. However, the work of a writer involves collaboration at multiple levels, even for the most introverted of the bunch (raising my hand here)!

This March I attended the Scottish Association of Writers’ 2018 Conference and witnessed this firsthand. Making connections with other writers offers a peek into just how interconnected we who work on a blank page or screen are with myriad others, seen and unseen.  

Books (and blogs and articles and poems…) don’t exist in isolation. They are influenced by years of reading habits and inspirations. Think about anything you’ve written and you may be able to trace ideas back to things you’ve read or seen, or identify texts that have influenced your style. Reading is what gets most of us interested in writing in the first place, which means that writers inspire other writers.

Look in the acknowledgments section of a book and you’ll find a list of names who have helped the author more directly. Critique groups and individual readers have often given valuable input into what works and what doesn’t. Editors have polished the manuscript to its full potential, and publishers have brought it into the world. Friends and family have offered support through the process of writing and publishing.

It can be motivating to hear others’ perspectives on our writing, and also a good reality check. Critique partners and beta readers approach your manuscript with fresh eyes and can give a first-hand opinion on which aspects appeal to readers and where your manuscript might be strengthened with changes. It’s most helpful to find early readers who enjoy your genre and style, as they’ll want to read the best version of whatever it is you are working on, rather than turning it into something else. They can also let you know if the words on the page convey the things you intend in your head. Once a book is published, the words are out there and people will interpret them in ways you may not have intended. Early readers can point out gaps in understanding and help you clarify your meaning.

If you’re looking to build a support team for your own writing, here are some places to look:

  • Get to know other writers. They’re working towards the same goals as you, and can offer understanding and support.  
  • Seek out critique groups and beta readers to get input on your work. You can find these in person or online.
  • Find books and learning resources that will keep you up to date on the area in which you’re writing.
  • If you’re looking to traditionally publish, reach out to agents and publishers when your manuscript is ready. Publication involves a whole team working to bring your book into readers’ hands.
  • If you’re looking to self-publish, you’ll be assembling that team yourself. Find an editor to help with structure and flow and a proofreader to check for final errors. Unless you’re an artist, you’ll likely want a cover designer as well.
  • Get to know readers! This can be one of the most rewarding aspects of being published: seeing the impact of your (yes, often solitary) work on others.

There are lots of other forms of collaboration that can be helpful for writers. I’ve touched on just a few here. Do you have a favorite?


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Nine Roadblocks to Editing Your Writing (and What to Do About Them)

Anyone who writes knows the challenges of editing. You’ve gotten your ideas down in that “shitty first draft.” Now you must look at your work with fresh eyes, fixing messy sentences and filling in plot holes. It’s useful to get help from others, whether they’re peers or professionals, but ultimately we have to edit our own work too. Some of us love polishing our writing, but for others, it’s an uphill slog. Our personalities stall our progress and throw roadblocks in our path. Here are nine that you might encounter during the editing process, along with tricks for dealing with them when they arise.

1. Perfectionism: If you’re a meticulous type of person, editing might come naturally to you. You enjoy reworking problem areas and finding the right word for the job. You might find, however, that your perfectionism sometimes leads to paralysis. The temptation to fix what you’ve written, again and again, makes it hard to know when your piece is done. Set yourself a “no more editing” deadline, or seek out encouraging others who will help you get your work out there and call it a day.

2. Focusing on Others: As much care as you put into your writing, you also devote a lot of attention to the people in your life. If this sounds like you, you might find editing to be a challenge. It seems selfish and daunting to block out time to improve your work. All of a sudden you need to help Grandma wash her car, or put in extra hours at the office. You get wrapped up in doing stuff for others while your draft sits there. Try getting others involved in the editing process, using their feedback as fuel.     

3. Goal Orientation: You have big ideas about what you want your writing to do. You envision an impact bigger than the day-to-day grind of editing, which can make it hard to sit down at your desk with your red pen (or its digital equivalent). Maybe you’ve written with a market in mind, or dream of shortcuts to take your project where you want it to go. But quality takes time and authenticity. As you edit, look beyond results to the truths you want to convey. What do you have to say, and what’s the realest way to say it?   

4. Introspection: The more introspective among us use emotions to fuel their writing, but those same feelings can get in the way of the editing process. You look over your draft and see only flaws. You wonder if your writing is any good, and if it’s worth putting in the time to edit. These thoughts are discouraging. Seek out reality checks about your work’s pros and cons, and work steadily, a little at a time, to polish it.  

5. Intellectualizing: If your writing has an intellectual foundation, you may find yourself focusing on the ideas as you sit down to edit. The resulting work may be well thought out, or it may get bogged down in analysis. Look beyond intellectual concepts at other vital aspects of your writing. It might be helpful to have a list of criteria about clarity, structure, reader interest, and other elements important to your genre.

6. Committee Mentality: Some of us have a hard time seeking the necessary feedback to improve our work, but if you tend toward the opposite, asking all your friends and mentors for their opinion, you’ll find yourself listening to a lot of competing voices. Resources about writing and editing can also be expert opinions that confuse with their disagreement. Filter others’ ideas through your own goals: are they right for your work or not?

7. Distractibility: It was so much fun to write your first draft that you want to start something new again! Why spend time on a boring editing process? Or maybe you should change what you wrote so it’s completely different, make it much more interesting… Without focus, it’s hard to polish your work to its potential. Keep in mind how exciting it will be to have your project finished, and inject novelty into the editing process. Instead of working on new writing, edit in a new location, or intersperse editing time with other activities.

8. Impatience: This writing has been so much work that you just want to be done with it. Isn’t it good enough already? You’ve said what you had to say. Sometimes a light touch is wisest, but there are generally areas to improve that you’ll find with a further read-through. That in no way diminishes the impact or power of your work. If you’re fed up with it for the time being, set it aside, but give yourself a deadline to come back to it.   

9. Inertia: You find it hard to summon the energy for editing. It’s hard work, it’s not pleasant, and it’s not part of your daily routine. You might intend to edit, but find that hours have passed and you’ve spent them puttering around the garage, or checking Facebook. An Internet-blocking program might help if digital inertia is an issue for you, and a new environment might give you fresh energy. If it’s novelty, build editing into your routine, so your inertia will work for your editing process rather than against it.    

There are many roadblocks you might run into while editing, some of which are related to your specific project, rather than the personality-based ones I described above. If you’re looking for coaching through the editing process, or help from an outside editor, I offer both services and often provide them together. Feel free to reach out to set up a Skype call, or offer your own ideas in the comments. Happy editing!