Is editing a never ending process?

[Mark Hoffmann]

Do you ever read through your manuscript and think the following? OK, that's done. I didn't change a thing on this read through and now I'm 100% happy.

Or do you just make fewer and few changes each time but never finish and eventually have to stop because you have acute editors-wrist and just can't go on any longer?

[rewh2oman]

I do it constantly to my little stories. Perhaps that's why I keep on getting rejections. Or, maybe I have other problems. I think they're pretty good, but my vote doesn't count. 

[Jo Bannister]

I'm like your second example, Mark.  I do a lot of changes in the first edit - fact-checking, weeding out repetition, clarifying where needed, even moving whole bodies of text.  The second edit is much quicker, but I always pick up things I'd missed before.  Ditto the third.  At some point - usually when I find I'm changing things back to where they were before I changed them the first time - I decide it's time to stop.  There'll still be chances to pick up issues - editor, copy editor, proof reading etc - and if I waited until I was totally satisfied I'd never see it in print.

[Mark Hoffmann]

Thanks, Jo. That's a relief. I think I'm at the changing stuff back stage.

I've spent more time editing than I did writing the first draft and I'm keen to finish as I have an idea for the next book in the series and would like to crack on with that.

[Gyppo]

Mark.

Even after it's printed you'll find stuff you'd like to change.  But you have to live with that.

As Jo said, when you find yourself changing things back to the original is probably as good a time as any to stop.

Gyppo

[Mark Hoffmann]

Re things you'd like to change. I spotted on the apple reader that one of the books in my library had an update available. It made me wonder if electronic books like Apple, Kindle, etc, (I'm doing a kindle version) get updated if the publisher submitted a new version.

[Gyppo]

I believe they can/do.  Some of the more interactive writers, in a 'thank you message' to their readers  positively encourage them to point out errors so they can be corrected.

How well and how often this happens I have no idea.

So far I have resisted pointing out to a prolific writer I otherwise enjoy that resting your rifle barrel on a solid object, such as a wall or window frame doesn't help with accuracy.  It's odd because he gets the more archaic factors of sniping correct.

Bench rest shooting with a small sandbag or similar, or a hand between the solid wall, tree branch, or whatever works okay.  But a solid rest really interferes with recoil and messes up the necessary predictability of the whole action when you pull the trigger.

The classic bipod rest looks solid as hell, but it moves a little, sometimes a lot.

But I enjoy the rest of his stories, it's just that one little niggle. 

Gyppo  (Who isn't a perfect shot, but understands the physics involved.)

[rewh2oman]

Does anyone use editing tools like GRAMMARLY?

[Gyppo]

Grammarly has it's uses, but if you've been writing for a few year and have developed a 'voice' of your own, a personal style of storytelling, you'll find times you disagree with it.

As creative writers we sometimes bend or even break the rules for effect.

Take for example a strict parent, sounding out a warning one word at a time.

"We.  Don't. Do. That.  In.  Our.  Family."

The reader will get the message, but Grammarly will have a fit. ;-)

Gyppo

[rewh2oman]

 

Thanks, Gyppo

I agree. I just tried Grammarly myself. It did find some errors (when I couldn't see the woods from the trees) but also screamed at "my style". I'm also looking into buying some "writing" books to help with my "show" instead of "tell" and also engage the Reader.

I'm still plugging away.

[Mark Hoffmann]

I use it and agree with Gyppo.

I read all of Grammarly's suggestions and ignore the vast majority. But it's worth the money for the issues it does catch.