Rules Vs Style

Recently I was part of a conversation on editing and the differences between editing with the grammar 'rules' and the grammar style. For me this hardly made a lot of sense, as an editor I look for grammar errors following the basics.

That is until I got claification. Every person who looks at a manuscript will edit it to a certain degree. Its hardly abnormal, however, what one person may see as being correct and concise may not always follow the preset parameters that we've followed since forever.

A grammar style is what makes the paragraph, passage read nicely. Does it flow, do you get the images that are persented? Can you fall into that scene? For some doing editing this is important, and others are die hard - by the book editors, that focus on structure, grammar, correct usage of periods, commas, etc. Its a tight rope we walk as an editor. Of course a client can say that 'They've written in their style,' and I have no isse with that. What I do disagree is using grammar style to shirk the rules.

Rules that, depending upon where you are, vary greatly. British grammar varies from Canadian, which varies from American, and so on. Style belongs in writing, in editing, but in my  humble opinion not to the exclusion of proper grammar - which gets mangled in dialogue anyway.

Tips on Editing

For most authors starting out editing is one thing that can drive an author crazy. How do I edit something I've written? What can I do to help myself learn how to edit before I get help with it?
There are many self-editing tips that you can use that will  help you develop your skills for when you want to have it polished or just make changes without sending it to an editor. As an author, one of the things that I've learned that has been invaluable is time.

Time is the key to editing your work. While for some this may not work due to the dreaded deadline, for me its been a valued tool. You don't have to wait weeks or months either. I've set a project aside for a week, seven short days and moved onto something else to clear my head of any thoughts associated with that project.

When I go back to it, my mind is clear, prepared for to look at it impartially and I'm more likely to find any errors that are there. Once I've looked through it, changed what I wanted or  needed to then I've shelvedit for a few more days, gone back and read through it aloud and then if I'm pleased I will send it to my editor, a publisher, or a writing partner. Its amazing what you'll catch before you send it out to have someone else look at it.

Our new and exciting promotion

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For more details or to submit your FREE five (5) page sample to us, simply send an email to editor@scarletscribeedits.com and we will get back to you within 24 hours.