Previously
Yesterday, we have seen why we love to hate our editor. So today, it is time to give him full credit for his work.

In addition to checking the manuscript for typos, spelling and grammar mistakes, a literary editor has to check a long list of other aspects of the novel.

Each of these aspects has to be perfect before we even think of publishing, so keep in mind that the editor has to follow a multi-track checklist while editing. As opposed to the writer, the editor does not know the story from the inside. He sees it from the outside and has to ensure that both the view from the inside and the view from the outside are the same, or as close as possible.

Here is a list of the different aspects of editing

                                                              i.      Strength of characters

                                                            ii.      Position of the narrator

                                                          iii.      Narrative rhythm

                                                          iv.      Inner consistency of main plot and subplots

                                                          vi.      Relevance of subplots

                                                        vii.      Factual accuracy

                                                          ix.      Unnecessary writing

                                                            x.      Unclosed questions

                                                          xi.      Typos, spelling and grammar – This is rather self-explanatory and does not require further explanation.

Actually, the last point is also the last one chronologically, as the writer should address all the problems identified by the editors and rewrite the book accordingly. Only then is the typos, spelling and grammar check relevant, since writers usually do insert new ones during the rewrites, and yes, it is rewritten plural, as the odds are, we won’t get it right the first time.

Each of these points deserves to be fully understood, so, in the course of the following days, we will examine them one by one – except for the last one, since we all know what that is J

When that is done, and we know what is needed to have a publishable manuscript, we will examine more in-depth the different aspects of the actual publishing stages.

 Lots of information forthcoming. Stay tuned!