Melanie Bell

Author, Writer, Editor

Tag Archives: self-editing


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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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How to Switch Between Your Writing and Editing Hats

Writing and editing are complementary skills, two sides of the same coin. When you write, it’s helpful to develop your self-editing ability so that you can polish your prose (or poetry). Having done both writing and editing professionally, I’ve found that switching between the two isn’t always easy. In this blog post, I’ll take a look at the differences between writing and editing your own work. Here are some tricks I’ve discovered to hone both skill sets and move between them smoothly.

When you’re writing:

  1. Let your creative mind have free reign. Writing your first draft is the time to experiment, follow tangents, and get your ideas and impulses out on the page. Keep on going, perhaps scheduling yourself so you write regularly whether you feel like it or not. Just show up and get things down. When you’re not writing, let the project live in the back of your mind. You might find that ideas come to you at unexpected times, perhaps when you’re out and about or about to fall asleep – keeping a notepad or note app at hand can prove handy. Leaving room for inspiration is especially useful for those of us who write by discovery, figuring things out as we go along. (All of us do this at some point.) Have fun with it!
  2. Plan if it works for you. Some of us are plotters and outliners. This can be useful for generating ideas and giving ourselves a map so we have a sense of where our writing is going. With fiction, I used to get stuck in the middle of my projects, but have found that an outline guides me in having ideas for what to write next. Don’t be afraid to veer off script, though if a more interesting idea comes along than the one you’ve planned. Whether you’re more of a discovery writer, an outliner, or a blend of both, either technique is great to the extent that it helps you get your writing done. The key is…
  3. Don’t self-judge. It’s all too easy to let the editorial voice jump into the writing process. This is valuable at times, such as when it has a plot suggestion or catches an error in your sentence. At other times, the voice can get harsh and critical, becoming more of a judge than a guide. If this happens, remind the voice that you’re on your first draft, the one where you’re hashing everything out, and will address its concerns later. You can even save that critical feedback in a separate document to consult when you’re editing. (Save the things like “Fix plot hole with spaceship in chapter 3,” not the things like “You suck.”)


When you’re editing:

  1. Get to the point. Editing is worlds away from writing in mindset. This is where we look at our draft critically and make sure it’s got all the essentials. Take a good, hard look at structure and clarity. For each important element, ask yourself: Would your readers (or your reader self) like it? Would they get it? Does it need to be there? Make sure the beginning, middle, and end all flow together and make sense.
  2. Check spelling and grammar. This is what a lot of us picture when we think of editing because it’s a vital part of the job, even if it’s not the only important one. If this isn’t your strong suit, a computer program such as a spell checker or Grammarly can help you out. I’ve found that repeating words, homophones (similar-sounding words like “to,” “too,” and “two”), and words that sound or look similar can be as tricky, if not trickier, to catch than typos. You might also try reading your work aloud. Do this carefully so you can catch any “the the”s or “ladies” that are supposed to be “ladles.” The read-aloud technique has benefits beyond spelling, too. Some fiction writers swear by this as a way of hearing whether their characters’ voices ring true, and if you find yourself getting bored in the middle of reading, you’ll know this is a section you need to liven up or cut down.
  3. Polish those sentences. Along with addressing content, spelling, and grammar, sentence-level editing or line editing is a big part of what professional editors do. First-draft sentences are often choppy, overly long, or unclear. Once you’ve done structural work on your draft to a point you’re satisfied with, take a look at each sentence individually and in context of the larger piece. Does it flow? Does it sound nice? Can readers follow it easily? Does it help achieve the pace and tone you’re going for?


As you can see, writing involves a lot of creating. Too much doubt can stop us in our tracks, feeding the inner critic and getting in the way of finishing the project. Editing is the opposite: it’s all about questioning. Instead of building something from scratch, we “renovate,” improving our writing by addition or subtraction. The great news is that I’ve found working with each skill set improves the other. When writing, we learn how things should sound, how to structure our work, and what gives a piece energy. When editing, we learn where to cut back or expand, how to speak to readers, and how to communicate clearly. Learn to wear both hats flexibly and your writing will shine!