tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119615232600399164.post2726466004872459960..comments2023-09-20T15:14:58.778-04:00Comments on Carmen DeSousa: Editing. How important is it? #AmWriting #BlogCarmen DeSousahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14802237651430170152noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119615232600399164.post-56042178601678456142014-12-03T10:26:22.957-05:002014-12-03T10:26:22.957-05:00Personally I'm less concerned with errors like...Personally I'm less concerned with errors like these-which are obvious mistakes, and more with the use of incorrect words that sound similar (I.e. the wrong there/theyre/their, affect instead of effect, etc). Those errors seem more like someone who doesn't know what they're doing. I know we're all guilty of those too, but if a book is peppered with them, well... It doesn't bode well. And it throws me out of the read. AimeeLSalterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17763596557256341788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119615232600399164.post-36385531147090430392013-09-21T07:09:07.639-04:002013-09-21T07:09:07.639-04:00I'm working on three interviews right now and ...I'm working on three interviews right now and heading on a week long ghost investigation, but when I return, I'll you the questions. You're the best!!Marie Gilberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07275544861810872122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119615232600399164.post-40783604928057703202013-09-20T13:50:33.241-04:002013-09-20T13:50:33.241-04:00I will have to look into Audible; I've been he...I will have to look into Audible; I've been hesitating to do so, because I've had disappointing voices ruin the book for me in the past. Maybe I'll try again...My TBR list is growing faster than I can ever hope to read. <br /><br />Thanks for letting me post my editing site link. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02926136864714556577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119615232600399164.post-72813985453830876832013-09-20T11:10:31.431-04:002013-09-20T11:10:31.431-04:00Wonderful! That's pretty much what I do. Unfor...Wonderful! That's pretty much what I do. Unfortunately, I don't help future readers, as I just can't bring myself to finish a book with too many errors. My TBR list is literally three-years long, and I find 'must reads' to add to it daily. I confess that I've really come to appreciate Audible, as it's allowed me to add almost a book a week. Although, it is difficult to attest to proper grammar when listening, so I always swap back and forth between Audible and Kindle so I can write a review. <br /><br />Thank you for adding your link. I hope you'll pick up a few authors via this post. :)Carmen DeSousahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08835462755654747169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119615232600399164.post-42869651293121073752013-09-20T11:02:39.060-04:002013-09-20T11:02:39.060-04:00Hi Carmen,
If I keep stumbling over errors (spelli...Hi Carmen,<br />If I keep stumbling over errors (spelling, grammar, punctuation) in the same chapter, it is unlikely I will make it through the end of the book. However, I have come across some really great writers that have kept me hooked despite the errors. It pains me to see such potential so poorly shown. Makes me want to offer my services for free (almost)! It really depends on the plot. I rarely give one-star reviews just for a poorly-edited book. I do take away at least one star for editing.<br /><br />Here's my website for more information about me and my editing services: http://www.soundcopyediting.com<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02926136864714556577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119615232600399164.post-11734547447401794022013-09-20T09:18:03.022-04:002013-09-20T09:18:03.022-04:00Thank you, Marie, for seeing through my clever dis...Thank you, Marie, for seeing through my clever disguise. LOL! I know my title implies that editing may not be important, but that's just to get people to look. :) However, I sill believe some readers are entirely too harsh on Indie writers who don't have a team at their behest. <br /><br />Yes, I may let a simple error go in my novel if it's not glaring, but if several readers came to me and complained, I'd fix it. I've always edited my own novels, but I'd like to think I've done my homework well and am able to produce a readable novel. I do, however, always recommend a proofreader, as it is near impossible to spot all your own snafus. <br /><br />Absolutely, I'll do an interview with you. Just let me know when. <br /><br />Cheers!Carmen DeSousahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08835462755654747169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119615232600399164.post-2856054470254389882013-09-20T09:11:06.920-04:002013-09-20T09:11:06.920-04:00Thank you, Lyle. I feel the same way, and as Josep...Thank you, Lyle. I feel the same way, and as Josephine wrote above, if it yanks me out of the story, I'm more inclined to move to another book. Forgetting a comma with a direct address is the one I see constantly, and it drives me crazy. If there is only a couple, I don't mind. But if I see it is a writing style, I can't accept it. Isn't that one of the first rules they teach us. And who can ever forget the meme "Let's eat Grandma." Yikes! Commas save lives. :)Carmen DeSousahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08835462755654747169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119615232600399164.post-70691301826833045202013-09-20T06:58:57.660-04:002013-09-20T06:58:57.660-04:00Carmen, this was such a helpful article. I've ...Carmen, this was such a helpful article. I've noticed that you never preach when giving helpful hints and this is so refreshing. I just had the novel that I'm working on edited, and right now, I need to make the suggested changes. I intend to self publish and think this would make a great interview to do. I would love to interview you on your thoughts about traditional vs. self-publishing. Marie Gilberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07275544861810872122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119615232600399164.post-55545795195127769482013-09-19T23:22:12.608-04:002013-09-19T23:22:12.608-04:00I find that I'm a lot more forgiving of other ...I find that I'm a lot more forgiving of other people's errors than my own. I've read a lot of books, professionally published ones that must have passed through several editors, that have grammar and spelling errors. <br /><br />I can deal with a strangely worded sentence, but if I think a paragraph is missing or I can tell where a cross edit happened, I put the book down. A couple typos are fine, but if they are happening all the time then I will put the book down. <br /><br />This applies to self published books, too. Oddly, I've been running into this more with the traditionally published stuff lately. Lyle S Tannerhttp://lylestanner.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119615232600399164.post-34501687205751190632013-09-19T20:21:10.836-04:002013-09-19T20:21:10.836-04:00Thank you, Josephine. And I agree; I do want to re...Thank you, Josephine. And I agree; I do want to read a novel free from annoying errors. <br /><br />But...what's your cutt off? At what point do you throw in the towel? If I can get through a chapter without stumbling, I'm usually okay. <br /><br />But...I've seen reviews where readers gave a book a one-star review after reading only the first page because they didn't like 'how' the author wrote the scene. Of course, we all know that there are just as many false one-star reviews floating around as there are five-star reviews. <br /><br />Personally, I cannot fault an Indie author as easily as I can fault a NYT bestseller, but sadly, I don't believe that's the case with most reviewers. <br /><br />I also promote books, and I only promote 4+ rated books, so I have to read many reviews. I'm amazed at some of the trivial comments I read. Especially when it comes to Amazon errors, not the authors. <br /><br />Thank you for stopping by. If you have a moment, just because I know many Indie authors will read this, please give us your insight, and a link to your editing site is more than welcome. <br /><br />Cheers!Carmen DeSousahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08835462755654747169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119615232600399164.post-18012542674720677732013-09-19T20:08:58.707-04:002013-09-19T20:08:58.707-04:00Thank you, Samantha. I'm glad to see that ther...Thank you, Samantha. I'm glad to see that there are authors who are just as convicted as I am about having the best possible product out there. If I know there is an error, there is no way I could let it stay out there. <br /><br />One of the reason I self-pubbed my last book was so I could have complete control in my new series. <br /><br />However, I read a book from start to finish the other night by a NYT bestselling author, and yes, there was an error. I highlighted it, hoping she is one of the authors who cares and will check what her readers are highlighting, but I doubt it. Sadly, I do believe--even though we don't have as many resources--that Indie authors try harder. <br /><br />I'm glad to hear that you take pride in your work too. I'll make sure I check out your books tomorrow. :)Carmen DeSousahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08835462755654747169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119615232600399164.post-27295433590056492232013-09-19T19:49:06.271-04:002013-09-19T19:49:06.271-04:00I wholeheartedly agree with you, Samantha. Even th...I wholeheartedly agree with you, Samantha. Even though I may be a bit biased being a copy editor, I strongly feel that taking pride in your work means doing all you can to make sure it is as error-free as possible. I am an avid reader and stumbling over errors not only yanks me out of the story, it lowers my respect for the writer and makes me hesitate to try more of their work. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02926136864714556577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9119615232600399164.post-34087453718236974632013-09-19T18:21:12.258-04:002013-09-19T18:21:12.258-04:00I, for one, am appalled when I read my own writing...I, for one, am appalled when I read my own writing (whether it's a blog post, an article, an email or a novel) and there's an error. And when I read a published book - indie or traditional - I'm even more appalled. I think indie authors owe it to themselves and the public to be even more diligent to raise the status of indie publishing.Samantha Hoffmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02689498125987433143noreply@blogger.com