Pre-Read and Editing · 5:31pm Dec 16th, 2020
Once you have a story (or ten) completed, you have to get them ready to publish. Yes, you can just throw them up as is, but creating a quality story probably needs a few sets of additional eyes on it.
This process generally takes two forms. The first is a pre-reader who reads through the story looking at the flow, plot, character development and other higher-level aspects. The second is an editor (or proofreader). They look at the story from a more technical level which includes: grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence/paragraph structure.
The reality is fuzzier. Pre-readers will note missing commas, and editors will comment on story points. But overall, the above distinctions hold true and one should use both, and in the logical order.
I have two pre-readers. One is through the entire series. The other about two-thirds of the way through. They've both been very supportive of the stories in addition to making a variety of suggested improvements. I must say their positive feedback did give me a bit of a false level of confidence.
Enter the editor. We've completed one story, and are working on the second. They are doing an excellent job of ripping the story to shreds. They aren't wrong, but wow, the level of work needed to address issues is notably more than writing it was.
Next week: Cover Art, part 1
