Turn Good Writing Into Great Writing: Why Hire an Editor?

When writers self-edit their work, it can be difficult to identify common writing mistakes. After all, you tend to become familiar and comfortable with your work as a writer, which can make it hard to properly evaluate your manuscript without the help of an experienced editor. Often times, writing errors are hidden in plain site or writers may have a blind spot when it comes to their own writing.

Commissioning editors and literary agents often provide great insight into the kinds of mistakes writers make when it comes to self-editing their work. By understanding the common pitfalls, writers can better equip themselves with the knowledge and tips necessary to improve their work and make it stand out in the publishing market.

Editing your own work can be tricky. You might be tempted to rush through the process, or you might be too attached to your own words to make necessary changes. Whatever the case, it’s important to take a step back and objectively review your writing to ensure the best possible product. Below is a brief rundown of some of the common mistakes writers make when editing their own work, and how you can avoid them.

Miranda Jewess, commissioning Editor at Viper Books says that the most common mistake she sees from writers submitting their manuscripts is a lack of self-editing. According to her, “It’s clear that they haven’t been through their work themselves before sending it to us.” That’s why it’s important to take time and space between each draft, so that you can come back to your work with a fresh eye. Or better still, hire an experienced editor.

According to publishing industry expert, Angela Rhodes, one of the most common mistakes authors make when self-editing is not properly taking the time to proofread and edit the finer details. “Often authors are so eager to finish their book that they forget to take the time to fully review their work. Details like spelling, grammar, and punctuation are often glossed over, which can completely detract from the value of their work in the publishing industry.” It’s important for authors to keep in mind that the little details can make a huge difference in the way their work is received by the public.

Another mistake authors often make is failing to edit the piece for flow and structure. According to literary agent Christopher Rose, “Many authors fail to think about the story arc or how their narrative is constructed. When there are holes in the narrative or narrative missteps, it can significantly detract from the overall quality of the piece.” It’s important to make sure that any narrative elements are properly balanced, consistent, and engaging.

One of the most common errors writers make is failing to cut unnecessary words, the dreaded ‘killing your darlings.’ “The one thing writers seem to have in common is a love of their own words,” says Literary Agent, Carly Watters. “It’s a hard task to cut the things you’ve labored over, but ultimately, it’s necessary to make your work stronger.”

Authors should also review their work for accuracy and consistency. Patricia Kenny, an experienced commissioning editor at Harper Collins, believes that this is an area where writers commonly fail to properly self-edit. “It’s incredibly important that authors take the time to review any names, dates or locations to make sure they are accurate. Issues with accuracy can become a major roadblock in the publishing process and detract from the overall enjoyment of the piece.”

If you decide to self-edit your own manuscript, it’s important to take your time when editing your work. Take breaks between drafts, cut unnecessary words such as flowery prose, boring backstory, filler, info-dumps, adverbs, clichés, stilted dialogue, redundancies and passive voice while you proofread. If you’re concerned about missing errors, sending your manuscript to a professional editor who is trained at spotting errors which are obvious to the editor while the author may be oblivious to them.

Authors should also ensure that their work is properly formatted. According to publishing expert Steven Gadd, “Formatting mistakes are a major problem for authors when self-editing. It’s important for authors to know the standard submission format for their genre of work and make sure that their manuscript adheres to those guidelines. Failing to properly format the piece can often prevent agents from properly evaluating the work.” Your story may be amazing but if its poorly formatted, it could be rejected on that basis.

Self-editing can often be a lengthy process that many writers shy away from, but by avoiding these common pitfalls, authors can save themselves a lot of time and frustration. With the right knowledge and diligence, authors can take the necessary steps to properly evaluate their work and make sure that it meets the standard of quality in the publishing market.

Most authors are great at writing original pieces of work, but editing their own work can be a different story altogether. From grammar and punctuation errors to developmental aspects such as structural and flow issues, even the most experienced writers often make costly mistakes when editing their own work. Hiring the services of a professional editor from Writerful Books can quickly help writers identify and eliminate mistakes, refine their manuscripts and create more engaging and compelling and writing.

Don’t let your own blind spots hold you back. At Writerful Books, we’ve got you covered. We get that even the best writers overlook common errors when editing their own work. We are here to help you create a polished and professional manuscript. Our team of experienced editors have a keen eye for detail and will provide you with constructive feedback and guidance to help you bring your writing to the next level.

Further Reading: Why Work With Us?

Submit Your Manuscript