"CLEAN UP YOUR ACT"

 

                                       

                                                   The Importance of Editing

 

I’ve heard many times; cleanliness is next to Godliness. It’s not scriptural, so you won’t find this imprinted in any bible, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true.

I don’t need to tell you the importance of a tidy presentation. Growing up in a large household, each of us kids had chores that included cleaning something, whether our rooms, ourselves or whatever classified as untidy.

The same goes for your manuscripts. Now I understand for most writers, there’s no need to voice the obvious. Still, there remain a few misguided individuals who feel editing is unnecessary.

Now, if you fall underneath that heading, this show is for you. So, I feel I must voice this announcement. No one is perfect. Therefore, no manuscript, letter, news article, or anything printed for others to view falls under the no editing requirement category without first being proofed.

Even the bestselling authors worth their salt with earned titles needed an editor to perfect their work. There’s no way around it, folks. Not if you want to be taken seriously.

I understand editing is pricey, even for writers with unlimited budgets. First of all, in the real world, unlimited only applies to the riches of the rich, and I’m pretty sure most of them aren’t writers or independent authors.

So those of you who happen to be rich and are writers feel free to stop listening and leave the room. But for those who feel exactly what I’m saying, please stay and hear me out.

Editing is an essential part of every finished project, big or small. Not every word you write will make the cut. Even trees and flowers require pruning because it enhances their beauty plus helps them to grow and flourish. Most importantly, it ensures they will be around for a while.

The same applies to editing manuscripts. Think of it as necessary surgery, in this case for words. I understand how painful this sounds, but any great surgeon knows removing the bad places aids in healing.

Editing is crucial and, in some cases, if it’s done right, creates pivotal moments for rising stars. It works as your calling card. An announcement to the world that professionalism is what you’re all about.

Don’t you just hate it when misspelled words and nonexistent punctuation fill a document? Yeah, me too. And the reason for this long spiel about editing.

I’m not alone in this, and if you were to search the importance of editing, the more extended dissertation will bore you to tears.  However, it justifies my point.

In closing, a class act or the cleaned-up version is thoroughly vetted and edited to an acceptable level, if not perfectly.