Penny Carroll

Writer & Editor

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Introducing my handy editing decision tree! 🌵

Introducing my handy editing decision tree! 🌵

Why have I made this exciting and fun graphic? Well, talk to any editor and they’ll tell you that their most common enquiry goes a little like this:

“I have recently finished my first novel and I am now looking for an editor to complete a proofread.”

Problem is, most of the time, these lovely authors don’t realise that a proofread is the last thing they need. Literally.

Editing is roughly divided into three stages: structural (big-picture editing), copyediting (sentence-level changes), and proofreading (the final read before printing). So, if the most editing you’ve had involved your mum giving it a once-over, a proofread is unlikely to be what your novel needs. (Sorry, Mum.)

Proofreading is designed to catch typos, consistency errors and typesetting issues as a last-chance-saloon-style step in the publishing process. Often, when people ask me about proofreading, what they really mean is a copyedit, where an editor makes sentence-level changes that clarify meaning, polish grammar and heighten the impact of their prose.

In an ideal world your book would go through all three levels of editing, but if you’re self-pubbing or submitting, that might be beyond your budget, and I totally respect that. Still, if you’re just getting started, it can help to know how the different levels of editing fit together so you can choose which will serve you best.

And if you’d like more guidance than this flow chart can offer, shoot me a DM and we can set up a chat.

#editing #proofreading #amwriting

How does the idea of editing sit with you? Scary?

How does the idea of editing sit with you? Scary? Intimidating? How about inspiring?

For a client I worked with recently, it turned out to be all of the above.

It’s easy to assume editing will be a process of correction or judgement (which is so obviously off-putting), but really it’s about collaboration and encouragement, leaving you as the author in the driver’s seat. Once you unlock that reframe, editing feels *so much more* appealing.

For this client, overcoming her editing nerves has replenished her energy and inspiration for her writing. Where her pile of unfinished projects had previously felt overwhelming, she now sees a world of possibility.

Isn’t that the best?! If you’re also on the fence and wondering what it’s *really* like to work with an editor, get in touch for a free sample edit. I’ll mark up 1000 words of your WIP so you can see how editing can enhance your story (and refresh your mindset). ✨

#editing #bookstagram #amwriting

Happy International Women’s Day to my always ins

Happy International Women’s Day to my always inspiring and ever-powerful writing community 💜

#IWD2024 #womensfiction

Let’s finish off the week with a bit of this or

Let’s finish off the week with a bit of this or that... Which or that edition!

This is a really easy one to confuse, because we use which and that in similar ways. But when you know how to use them correctly, you’ll never be left wondering where your whiches (t)hat goes again. 🧙‍♀️ OK bad pun, but honestly, it’s a good feeling.

Here’s the rule: that is used for defining clauses (info essential to your sentence’s meaning) and which is used for non-defining clauses - non-essential detail additional to your main point.

Swipe through for a simple example and a quick tip on punctuation when using which.

Got a question for me about which vs that? Fire away in the comments below! #editingtips #grammar

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