Unexpected Lessons from the Editing Process: 7 Takeaways to Improve Your Writing
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Unexpected Lessons from the Editing Process: 7 Takeaways to Improve Your Writing
In the competitive world of publishing, discovering the secret to landing an agent or publisher can set an author on the path to success. This Q&A article uncovers invaluable insights from experienced authors, starting with the importance of perseverance and professionalism and concluding with the necessity of refining seven’s unique writing voice. Throughout the article, seven key insights are shared to guide aspiring writers in their pursuit of representation. Each piece of advice is designed to arm authors with the knowledge needed to navigate the complex journey of getting published.
- Persevere and Be Professional
- Seek Referrals from Similar Authors
- Embrace Feedback for Improvement
- Focus on Rhythm and Flow
- Maintain Objectivity in Self-Editing
- Edit for Concision and Clarity
- Refine Your Unique Writing Voice
Persevere and Be Professional
If you have a good book, finding an agent or publisher is about persevering. Pirsig received 121 rejections for his book, Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, before it was accepted for publication. It came to be featured on best-seller lists for decades, selling millions worldwide. Every literary agency or publishing house has its own submission criteria, and so it's important to adhere to guidelines and then engage them with an outstanding cover letter. Pitching your project to the industry in the most professional way you can will increase the chance of the project being considered. An agent is looking to be contacted by a writing professional who is taking things seriously. So, in summary, be professional and persevere.
Seek Referrals from Similar Authors
Writing a quality book is hard work; finding the right publisher or agent is also hard, so be prepared for some setbacks. As a niche-hybrid publisher, almost all of our authors come to Encourage Publishing through referral. I do feel an allegiance to my existing authors to give their referrals an elevated level of attention, but not an automatic acceptance. If they aren't a good fit, I send them off with some helpful direction. If you know or meet an author whose audience is similar to yours, ask them about their publisher and their experience, what they wish were different, what they loved. If you are a good match, ask for their publisher's contact information. If they used an agent, follow this same line of inquiry.
Before you reach out to either, thoroughly check their website. Review their books and authors online. Read the information they provide on their mission, process, requirements, and submission criteria, as well as what genres they are receiving. Respect their time. If you are not a good fit, keep looking. If they accept anything and everything, this may be a red flag. If their catalog doesn't align with your audience or values or the website is poorly managed, pay attention. If you use a shotgun approach, sending your manuscript to everyone without doing your own due diligence, beware. A percentage of those who do respond may very well be predatory. Don't expect a publisher or agent to spend a great deal of time repeating information by phone or email that is available, perhaps even on their own website. They will think if you are too busy to put the effort into educating yourself, you will also be too busy to do the hard work it takes to get a quality book published and then market it well. Every publisher has a limited number of books they can publish and support every year and a virtually unlimited number of submissions. Don't give them a reason to say no before they even look at your book.
Two more don'ts: Don't give up, and don't make excuses for why your book wasn't picked up. Take any feedback you get with open hands and improve your writing, your book, your approach, your platform—then try again. Timing is everything.
Embrace Feedback for Improvement
Feedback should not be feared but seen as a valuable tool that helps to grow and improve writing skills. By listening to others’ perspectives, new ways to enhance and refine writing can be discovered. It is important to remember that critiques are aimed at making the work better, not at criticizing the writer as a person.
Feedback often brings fresh ideas and insights that otherwise might be missed. Take every piece of feedback seriously and use it to shape the final product. Embrace feedback with an open mind and let it guide the journey to better writing.
Focus on Rhythm and Flow
Editing offers a clear view of the rhythm and flow of written work. It helps identify where the text moves smoothly and where it may stumble or drag. This process makes it easier to see how one idea transitions to the next.
Adjustments during editing ensure that the writing keeps readers engaged and the message is delivered effectively. By examining the structure and flow, improvements can be made to create a more compelling narrative. Focus on the rhythm and let it guide your edits to maintain the reader's interest.
Maintain Objectivity in Self-Editing
Being objective is essential for effective self-editing. This means viewing the work with a critical eye, as if it were written by someone else. It is important to detach emotionally and focus on the content and quality of the writing.
Objectivity allows for clear identification of areas that need improvement without personal bias. Self-editing objectively helps achieve clarity and coherence in the final piece. Strive to maintain objectivity to enhance the overall quality of your writing.
Edit for Concision and Clarity
Removing unnecessary words strengthens the writing's clarity and impact. Editing for concision helps the main ideas stand out without distraction. By cutting redundant phrases, the message becomes sharper and more direct.
This makes it easier for readers to grasp and remember the key points. Concise writing is often more powerful and effective. Aim to simplify your text to make a stronger impression on your audience.
Refine Your Unique Writing Voice
Each edit serves to refine and define a unique writing voice. Through the editing process, the writer's style becomes clearer and more distinct. It is a chance to polish the language and ensure consistency in tone and word choice.
Refining the voice helps to connect more deeply with the readers and make the writing more memorable. This unique voice is what sets one writer apart from another. Continue refining your voice to develop a distinct and engaging style.