Who Needs Editing Services?
For some writers, revision is a difficult but necessary part of the writing process. Checking for grammar, spelling, and punctuation feels like a big hassle. Reviewing the text for syntax and readability is a nightmare. Just how many ways can you rearrange the words in an effort to say essentially the same thing, but in a more compelling way?
It has to be done. Ideally, as a writer, you’ll be able to find someone — a second pair of eyes — to go over your piece and make sure it is both correct and readable. Are there typos or grammar mistakes? Do the ideas flow smoothly and make sense? What could be improved?
Unfortunately, not everyone has a well read friend or associate who can provide regular feedback. Editing services may be the solution.
A professional editor will review your written material to check for correctness and will also provide alternate wording and suggestions for rearranging, cutting, or adding different sections of text to make the entire piece flow more smoothly.
Should You Hire an Editor?
Editing services are not recommended for writers who are looking for an easy way out. If you’ve sped through a first draft and don’t feel like cleaning it up, but want to publish or submit it for publication, then you should take the time to rework the piece yourself. At the very least, try to get through a few drafts before you hire an editor.
Why? Because editors can only mark up your piece of writing with so many corrections before it becomes illegible. The cleaner the copy you submit to the editor, the better the revisions will be, and the stronger your piece will become.
Give an editor your first draft and you will get back a second draft. Give the editor your third, fourth, or fifth draft, and you’ll get back a polished copy, ready for publication.
Editing Services
Here at Writing Forward, I offer editing services for creative writing as well as for business (sales and marketing) and technical documentation. Editing includes proofreading (check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation) as well as revision for improved word choice and better flow of language and ideas.
To learn more, visit the editing services page or contact me to get a quote for your writing project.
> The cleaner the copy you submit to the editor, the better the revisions will be, and the stronger your piece will become.
I think you nailed the formula for success.
Every once in a while, I get a client who requests editing or proofreading, and it’s obvious that the writing is shoddy because they figured “I’ll just let her clean it up.” That’s fine with me (after all, it’s my job), but it’s really not a smart way for a writer to approach revision. The best practice is to polish your own writing, then submit it to an editor or proofreader. Never turn in a rough draft!
Hi Melissa .. thanks for those thoughts – I need to come back and read some of your posts, which I will do in the next couple of weeks .. something else first, but I’ll come over and read the blog daily. JD’s summarised your thoughts well – and that helps me for now.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
Hilary´s last blog ..Queen and Red Arrows!
Thanks Hilary! Do come back soon. You can also subscribe through RSS or via email. Check out the subscription options in the box near the upper right hand corner of this website. New articles can be delivered directly to your email.
Thanks Melissa .. just got to work out what to do .. so for the moment I prefer to do one thing at a time, at least I can see what’s what! I know some of my posts aren’t 100%, but they’re pretty good. The challenge is the loose style, which suits the blog, but makes it tricky to take over elsewhere. Again something else to work on ..
Thanks Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
Hilary´s last blog ..Tea containers?
Totally agree, revising and editing your work is so important. Not only is it important to get a second pair of eyes to look through your work, but it also helps to print out your work and read it from the copy rather than the computer screen, as you are more likely to pick up on mistakes.
Danielle Ingram´s last blog ..How to write a press release (PR) – Part 2 – SEO Friendly Content
I hear this a lot — that writers prefer to print their work to proof and edit. I used to feel the same way, however, I found that with a little practice, you can teach yourself to proofread and edit on the screen. There are a lot of reasons to do this: saving money on paper and ink, saving the trees, and protecting the environment. In any case, it’s true that revision is essential and the best route is to get a second pair of eyes. Thanks for weighing in Danielle.