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I think your command of the language needs no polishing by any other editor. It's quite superb on its own, however, an editor may be able to see some things that could improve the structure or the presentation of the novel. I for one would welcome all the help I can get but I understand your concerns about your own true voice coming through. It may be worth going through the process and then seeing afterwards if you think it has improved the work or killed it in your opinion.
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That's possibly one of the most complementary things anyone's ever said about me so firstly, thanks for that. Secondly, thanks for the advice. You're right - it can't hurt to try.
Now I just need to get enough money to afford one...
JD
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We could always arrange a straight swap. My novel is not edited yet but I'm off to Cape Town for three weeks for some peace and quiet and intend to do it while I'm there.
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Friedegg made a good suggestion. Me and brother do this all the time. We swap our stuff after it's done. He has certain strengths and weaknesses just like I have my own. We balance the other out. Then if you add one or two people into the mix, I think you'd find out right there, you'd have enough editing between those that would be valuable instead of paying for it at the moment. It's the barter system, just trade stories, and the writer of the story gets to pick what type of editing they want you to do. Like for my brother, I find all the description in his stories and that's what I help on. He fixes my grammar and spelling.
Shadowwritr
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You shouldn't worry about it. They didn't put the effort into creating the story. They didn't design the characters. They didn't construct the plot. They didn't feel the life of the characters flowing throw your mind as you put it in your word processor. They were not there when you were inspired. They did not support you when you struggled. They did not push you when you wanted to back off. They did not create the world you story is in. They did not dream about your characters while it was being written. They did not put their soul into the work, you did.
They ARE NOT the author, you are.
Really, who looks to see who were the editors of books? People don't choose books based on the person or company that edits it. When I buy a book, I don't care who checked the grammar and format. I want the story and that is what you do as an author.
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That's a great point of view. I'd never thought of it like that before.
Thanks.
JD
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if you get taken on by an agent or get a publishing contract, an editor would be hired by themto check it over anyway, i believe. An editor you'd have to work closely with when time comes. I dont think there is any danger in hiring an editor (other than the possibilities of getting scammed of course) so if you have enough money, go for it imho :) good luck!
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Strangely enough I think I'd naively believed I could avoid the agent side of things. Having looked into it more I realise how completely at sea I'd be if I tried to do this so maybe the agent route is the best option.
Thanks for all the advice.
JD
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it might be better :) most publishers would mainly consider agented submissions nowadays.
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A good editor is like a magnifying glass or prescription glasses. They help you to focus the writing for the audience. They do not write or create - they tweak. It is all about how it reads and their knowledge of the audience. You should look at the process in this way, not as correction or re-writing of your work. In the end you can always say no to changes they suggest.
I always ask published writers about the editing process (when they do book launches and talks etc) and have not found one that says they do not get changes back from their editor. It is a part of the process.
And sometimes lets face it we are truly wrapped up in the creation process and the little things (copy editing stuff) is overshadowed by that. The editor does not have that worry - they see only what is on the page, not what is in our head.
I think your work has merit (and I am a bit picky in my reading of the genre cos I love to read it and do not write it.)
So, if you have finished the writing and have had a good go at revising it yourself the next step is to have someone else read it - and yes that may mean write on it and change some words around, but that doesn't mean it's bad. In fact if someone takes the time to do an 'edit' on your full length novel then that is even more a testament to how good it is. When was the last time you read a bad novel?
Sorry for the ramble. Hope it all goes well.
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I have had the experience of this. The publisher had my manuscript edited and I voiced the same question as you. Is it still your work? The simple answer as others pointed out, yes it is.
You wrote the story, no one else but you. The important point to remember and the publisher always preached, it's your work and you will have the final say in what is published.
Therefore no need to worry, it's your choice in the end. In saying that, the editor reduced the number of words in my manuscript from 205,000 words to 170,000 and then a second edit to 130,000 words. I was furious, until I read the final edit and saw how much improved the whole article was.
You could tell right away it was much more professional and read a lot easier. So go for it as you can still change it back if you are unhappy with the edit.
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Hi!
I believe that editors will not make your work any less 'pure' they will spot the stones in your writing to make it smoother.
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