How To Edit Fantasy V

The Final Proofreading: Once the manuscript has been completed, reviewed and re read by the author, it is time for the final proofread. At this stage, the author should find time and space to work uninterrupted. A printed copy of the manuscript can be useful for visual corrections and for reading aloud and backwards.

Read for Point of View: The author should read each scene and determine if the best point of view is used. It is not too late to improve a scene, draw the reader in deeper, by changing the point of view. Remember to only use one point of view for each scene, preferably each chapter.

Read for Descriptions: Is the reader shown how people are reacting rather than being told? Look for the words that lead to telling and try to alter sentences that do not give the reader insight into what is happening through action, expression or dialogue. Remember to describe scenes and emotions using the senses. How do things sound, smell, feel and appear.

Read for Flow: When reading aloud, correct and simplify any sentence that does not flow, is ambiguous or does not add to the story. Now is the last chance to remove redundant phrases, overused words, clichés or slang. Read aloud once for flow. Read backwards for spelling and punctuation errors.

Read for Content: Read the manuscript for content. Now is the time to make sure every sub plot, plot and plot device is used correctly and every puzzle solved. Are there characters that do not achiever their goal? Can characters, scenes or dialogue be omitted without losing the story? Simplify everything possible in this edit.

Read for Continuity: The author can at this stage still change the order of chapters, scenes and action sequences. Continuity is vital to keep the reader hooked to the last page. At this stage, the author should double check for any hints, foreshadowing, plot foundations. These must be in the right place.

If every read through can offer no chance for improvement then the manuscript is ready to have a synopsis written and a query letter sent off to a publisher.