Trey French

I'm not afraid to admit that I'm a slow editor, but I don't believe that clients should have to pay more just because I'm taking my time to provide better work. I've learned over the years that reading the text slowly, carefully, and multiple times yields better results. I read through manuscripts three times before I'm comfortable sending my work back to clients. The first read is to simply take in the story, learn about the characters, and understand the plot. Unless I come across an obvious error that's easy to fix, there really isn't any editing being done at this time. No style choices are made. I might make a few notes on my style sheet, but that's the extent of it. I've found that doing this preliminary read is helpful because by the time I get to the next read, where the heavy editing happens, I'm already familiar enough with the plot and characters that the new revelations of the story don't distract me from my task of editing. That first read is the fastest of the three passes, whereas the second read is the slowest because that's where the bulk of the actual editing is done. Finally, I read the entire manuscript a third time as basically a final proofread of my work. Here I ensure my style changes are consistent, flesh out any comments I've left for the client, and obviously see if I missed anything. All of this is a lot of work that takes time, but it's what I've found to work best for me and results in a manuscript I am proud to return to my client. The amount of time it takes me to do all of this (usually about a month per manuscript) is also part of the reason why I don't charge per hour. I charge based on the word count. To me, this is the simplest, most straightforward way to do things. A client can tell me their word count before they even send me their manuscript and I can immediately give them a price based on that word count. If I charged per hour I would have to estimate how much time it would take me, and if I ended up going over that estimate, that could result in an unhappy client. Then there are other factors that could determine how many hours are required to do the editing. You can look up a past post of mine that talks more about this, but an example would be if a manuscript is in a much poorer state than expected. This would automatically increase editing time and result in the price increasing, which isn't fair to the client. The last thing I want to do is take advantage of my clients. I am thankful for every person who entrusts their manuscripts to me, and part of what I strive to give them in return is a clear price for the work. No surprises. This has been the reasoning to why I charge per word instead of per hour. I believe the majority of editors do the same, but I'm always flummoxed when I do see people charging per hour. To me, the per-word rate is by far the better way to go, and I don't see myself ever changing my mind about that. Timothy #amediting #writingcommunity #editing #proofreading

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"it’s important to remember that there are no rules, and we can choose who we are and what we do every single day. Something I’ve noticed since starting my new job as a writer is just how diverse the label “writer” is. When most folks think of writers, they think of journalists who cover different industries and break the news on stories. But even within the narrow scope of “journalists,” there is so much variety. Some journalists cover finance, and within that, markets, and within that, venture capital and public equities and commodities. Other journalists cover sports, business, politics, and pop culture. Some writers, like me, apply a layer of commentary to the news. More often than not, I’m not telling readers what happened as much as I am why it matters. Some writers are pure essayists. Some are fiction novelists, others write biographies and histories. Some writers are equity researchers and hedge fund analysts, while others are copywriters, crisis comms strategists, and marketing executives. The scope of “writing,” as a profession, is infinite, because writing isn’t a profession. It’s a skill. And fine-tuned skills are valuable in a variety of “jobs.” Replace “writer” with teacher. Investor. Coach. If you only think about your career in terms of the job you do and other jobs that immediately progress from your current role then, yes, there are “rules” on what you may be able to pursue. But if you think about your career from the perspective of which skills you have developed and where else they might be applicable, you’ll realize that opportunities are near-infinite. Journalists can become investors. Corporate executives can become authors. Even in the case of the most rigid disciplines such as law and medicine, nothing is stopping you from going back to school right now, if you want to change course. You can reinvent yourself tomorrow if you’d like. The only “rules,” if any, are those that exist in your head. They’re self-imposed." No Rules: https://lnkd.in/d74EmhwW

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This is an excerpt from E. Prybylski's insightful post. If you are considering an editor but wondering about the cost, I recommend reading it. Editing is an investment that can help your book transcend into something truly special that speaks to readers. "I want to remind people that, above all, when you’re working with an editor, you are working with a human being. Most of us are deeply passionate about writing and editing and about our professions. Most of us are not wealthy at all (many are barely middle class, if that). Many editors come from backgrounds like disability or neurodivergence. We have studied our profession out of that deep passion I mentioned before, and we truly love what we do... Editors are your cheerleaders, your companions, your friends, and your mentors. And we need to eat, too." - E. Prybylski If cost is a factor you are balancing, consider focusing on one round of editing (developmental, line, copyediting) or an editor who offers a combination service to help you be cost-effective. Note that editing is a time-intensive process, and editors will acknowledge that combination service won't be as effective as both a developmental edit and copyediting pass, but sometimes it is what your budget, your book, and your readers need. Not sure what is right for your book? Ask an editor! Posts like these exist because we genuinely care and want to help you succeed, even if that means we are not the right fit editor for you. We can advise you on what type of editing your book needs to succeed and what might be optional. Feel free to reach out for a sample edit and an opinion! I (and we) are here to help.

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One space makes all the difference. "I can't eat any more." >>> I'm full. "I can't eat anymore." >>> I'll never eat again. #amediting #writingcommunity #editing #copyediting #proofreading

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Let’s continue with last week’s theme of Spider-Man (and then throw in a little Buffy the Vampire Slayer later). A few years ago, this appeared in a Spider-Man comic, and I actually laughed out loud when I read it—it’s rare that my work and personal interests intersect so perfectly! Ironically, in Spider-Man’s first appearance ever (Amazing Fantasy #15), the title page says “Spider-Man,” but the very first mention of him in the text says “Spiderman.” 😆 When it comes to superhero names and hyphens, there aren’t any hard rules—it’s really just up to the creators, so you get some names that are hyphenated (Spider-Man), some names that are open (Iron Man), and some names that are closed (Iceman (Spider-Man’s Amazing Friend! 😉)). Hyphenating names in real life can be a bit flexible too. Most commonly, the reason for hyphenating a name would be to join two last names upon marriage. Traditionally, the man would keep his name as is, while the wife could take his last name and add hers with a hyphen afterward. So, if Peter Parker marries Mary Jane Watson, she could become Mary Jane Parker-Watson. But these days, people don’t feel the need to follow tradition as much, so she could go with Mary Jane Watson-Parker instead—or both Peter *and* Mary Jane could adopt either Parker-Watson or Watson-Parker as their last names (an option that’s becoming increasingly popular). Britain also has an interesting tradition involving hyphenated names. For all my fellow Buffy fans out there, remember Wesley Wyndam-Pryce? I always thought it was odd for a man to have a hyphenated last name, since (as of his mother’s generation, anyway), typically only women had hyphenated last names, and if they had children, those children would inherit only the father’s name. But in Britain, it all has to do with nobility. The tradition of hyphenated names started in the 15th century. Let’s say the Pryces are a family from a long line of nobility, but then they only have a daughter (the shame! 😯), Anne. Since they don’t want their family name to die out, when Anne Pryce is ready to marry Edward Wyndham, the Pryce family can stipulate that the couple uses the combined name Wyndham-Pryce, which would then be passed down to their children. Combing names like this was also common for people from equally noble families (basically as a way to show off just *how much* nobility they had) and in instances where a man married a woman of higher social standing. Because hyphenated names were associated with nobility, people later started using hyphenated names just to seem higher class. So, who knows—maybe Wesley Wyndam-Pryce came from a long line of nobility… or maybe, somewhere down the line, an ancestor was just following a trend.

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What's the future of the freelance writing industry for the second half of 2024? I hear people bemoaning the fact that AI now exists; and worrying that Chat GPT has taken over the job of writers. But I don't think that's true. I've heard it said that "writing is thinking slowed down." And I believe that's true. AI writes quickly, but it has no original thoughts. It only gathers old information, reconfigures it, and spits it back out. Don't get me wrong; I'm not anti-AI. I've found it useful for making lists and starting outlines. But I have yet to see it produce content that passes muster. I believe: 1. We are on our way out of the freelance writing slump that started in 2023. 2. Opportunities for quality freelance writing services will continue to expand, thanks in part to the federal non-compete law set to take effect in August. 3. Niching down to a specialty area where you have expertise as a writer will be more important than ever if you want to be a high earner. What do you believe? Are you optimistic about the state of freelance writing?

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Exciting news! In one week, I'll be teaching on self-editing for suspense at a sentence level! This is basically what I taught at PENCON 2024, but this time I'll be speaking to writers, not editors. In the upcoming workshop, we'll dive in to narrative suspense and simple ways you can improve your prose to heighten suspense at a sentence level. It will be a jam-packed session, so be sure to be ready to take notes! Plus, there will be a live Q&A at the end, so you'll get to ask questions and get answers! When: June 6, 2024 Time: 7 p.m. Eastern time Where: Online at The 540 Writers Community Zoom session Cost: Free! Want to join? Head to https://buff.ly/3VeHiYm and sign up to the newsletter! Will I see you there? ✒️✒️ ✒️ Hey there! I'm Claire Tucker, a copyeditor and proofreader who works with authors to achieve excellence. I have experience editing a wide range of genres, including fantasy, YA, Southern fiction, and suspense, as well as Christian nonfiction, devotionals, and short stories. If you're a first-time author looking to publish with confidence or a veteran looking for a fresh set of eyes to catch sneaky typos, I could be the editor for you! Leave a comment, drop me a DM, or visit my website EditWithClaire.com to learn more.

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🌱 What questions do you have about how to edit your book or major creative project? I’m making a guide specifically for people with “big picture” developmental questions. So far, based on asking folks in workshops, a question that keeps popping up is “what is the best way to edit my own work? Is there a structure to editing that is best?” It's a good question. I’ll answer in the guide. Any other burning questions? #editing #developmentaleditor #editor #book #askaneditor

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It's quite amusing and contradictory how we #contentwriters are told to write for humans, not search engines, yet we're provided keywords based on search engine data. For instance, if tasked with writing about prefabricated homes in California, one might naturally incorporate the term “prefabricated homes in California.” However, the given keyword might be “pre fabricated homes california,” reflecting common search engine queries. Balancing these requirements is a unique challenge we content writers face, but it’s key to creating #content that resonates with both readers and search engines. Do you also face similar challenges while crafting content? Let me know! :)

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Many new writers ask, “What is a story arc?” That’s easy to answer. A story arc is simply the way a story develops and changes over time. It includes the events and stages characters go through, usually starting with a beginning, followed by development, a climax, and a resolution. Story arcs can apply to the whole story, a subplot, or a character’s journey. Here are some examples of different types of story arcs: https;://https://lnkd.in/gT9ZrNgf

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Prediction: The publishing industry is gonna come full circle again. 💥 In the beginning: writers wrote, and published themselves. They had to have a patron or be a certain level of wealthy. 🚪 In the middle: traditional publishers mushroomed up and began to gatekeep who would and would not be read. A lucky few saw their names on the covers if their faces fit. 🌊 In the end: mass self-publishing democratised writing. Anyone can and does publish, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing… Only, with the rise of AI, we’re already seeing a flood of absolute heinous robot bullshit hit the online shops. And so… 💌 In the future: anyone can and will publish, but those who are successful do things worth writing, put in the work, publish themselves, and use their OWN platforms to do so. Leaving everyone using AI to drone on and sound, as Ash Ambirge puts it, like a toilet bowl. *** Hi, I’m Vicky and my mission is to help you sound less like a toilet bowl. You up for that? DM me “toilet bowl” and let’s talk. #writingadvice #publishing #writers

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When people hear I'm a writer, there is almost always a follow-up question: "Oh? What do you write?" I usually end up answering, "Everything." I'm not trying to be glib; it's hard to whittle down a long writing career to a sleek answer. If there's more time in the conversation, I add detail. I say I write web content, magazine articles, brochures, ads. You know, marketing stuff. (I often get a blank stare and a nod. Yes. Marketing stuff.) "I also write fiction." That gets a spark of recognition. Even those who don't read for pleasure at least know about the practice. Just as my portfolio is widely varied, so is my pool of influence. Did I say pool? I meant ocean. The human brain creates gorgeous nets of association, and lately I've been pondering how fitting that is, because none of us live in a vacuum. We are connected to our world in unexpected ways, so why shouldn't our brain reflect that? Case in point: my current bedside table book is "Movement Matters" by Katy Bowman. She's a biomechanist. Her essays are sometimes poetic, sometimes technical, but she invariably makes me ponder the connections between seemingly disparate things. If you're looking for a healthier view on life, or some creative inspiration, I'd recommend reading this book.

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The four key principles of copyediting. The very first for me is to always double check. A good copyeditor is an eternal student, always ready to doubt themselves and learn.

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Anybody else going (gone) through this? Trying to join a ... not sure what it is but they need freelance writers. Signed on, gave them some info, took an English proficiency test which I aced -- I am a native speaker after all -- and now the last bit is to take a writing test. But first ... I get bumped over to this site where I have to add some kind of code, but the thing is they text it and I don't have a cell phone and they can't be troubled to send it via regular phone or e-mail. Then I get bumped over to another site where they want all kinds of info, like my banking information even before this place takes me on. And then I check my e-mail and the original people are so happy I passed the proficiency test and all I have to do is take the writing test and I'm in like Flynn. So when I finally find the website for the writing test I add my e-mail address and they don't have it on file.... To make a long story short -- they're not paying enough for me to go through all this. And I'm not sure they're on the up and up. And yet they crop up frequently in my jobs list so I figure they're looking for freelancers. If they can get them. But I'm jolly well not going to hand out my banking information when just getting hired is this chaotic. Any suggestions????

Some of the most talented writers I've met still haven't published a book. And I think it's down to one simple reason: They're always working on something rather than putting themselves out there. In some of my writing critique groups, I've seen some really impressive stuff. There is prose out there that absolutely deserves to be published. But if I ask many of those same writers what they're up to? —"Yeah, still workin' on it, polishing it..." —"I gave up on that thing, I like this book better..." —"Been busy lately, life got in the way, you know how it is..." And there's nothing wrong with any of that. If getting published isn't that important to you, anyway. But what if it is? Before I got my book deal, my approach was simple: —Write as good a book as I could —Polish it as best as I could —"Okay this is as good as I can do, let's see what happens" —Send it out to as many agents as I could —If it failed, absorb the lessons I could glean and start on the next one I failed plenty. But because I was learning something new with every round, I stacked the mini-skills that added up to a published novel. So can anyone. But you have to get out there. Publishing is slow enough. Don't crawl your way there.

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These are such great tips to help writers self-edit. One of my favorite thing to do is to change the text I’m looking at. I go back and forth between sans/serif fonts and change text size, color and spacing as I’m working. I also highlight facts, quotes and pronouns that I need to make sure to double-check for accuracy before the final version. #writingtips #freelancewriter #contentwriter #writinghacks

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No one wants to admit that their baby is ugly. That’s also why a messy first draft is so embarrassingly painful to bear. Writers often see their manuscripts as their children, having taken the time to birth each sentence with love and care. It’s only natural to want to view it as perfection—after all, it came from you, and you can do no wrong. Right? Well . . . People aren’t amazing overnight. The best people in the world had to learn and grow into the people we admire today. Same with your ugly baby manuscript. It’s not perfect—it’s a baby! Babys are messy and difficult and complicated and, yes, sometimes very ugly. That’s okay! Getting the baby into the world is only the start. Now is the time to edit and nurture it into something better than you could have ever imagined. No first draft is perfect. Neither are babies. === How do you handle the challenge of seeing imperfections in your work? === I’m Jeanette 👋 a copyeditor and self-editing instructor whose aim is to demystify the editing process. In my spare time, I’m a content writer and fiction writer, and my nonfiction mermaiding book (Modern Mer) is available on Amazon. Follow my profile or #Jeanettediting to see more of me in your feed! #writer #writing #editor #editing #writingcommunity #creativity

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