Editing Terminology

No one should publish a book without having it edited first. Some authors may know an editor they want to use. However, you may also need to know some of the terminology in the field in order to find the type(s) of editing you need. Here is a list that might help:

In a manuscript assessment, you'll receive several-pages of feedback looking at the big picture and evaluating your manuscript. It will explain what is working, what is not, and why these are true.

Developmental editing looks at structural issues in the book. It checks things like character arcs, how the content flows, and whether or not the book reaches your goals.

 

Line editing addresses content problems, such as word choice, sentence and paragraph flow, and sections that are too wordy. It should also offer some suggestions for improvement.

Copy editing is concerned with grammar, spelling, wrong words, and inconsistencies.

Format editing makes sure the manuscript is formatted correctly for publishing. It looks at things like fonts, colors (where applicable), titles, margins, indentations, and headers and footers.

Remember, you can ask for several different forms of editing. Do whatever you need to make your book the best it can be. 

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 Some Christian Troublemakers

That's an oxymoron, isn't it? Christian and troublemakers should be opposites. They certainly don't go together. As Warren Wiersbe says in Be Mature, "It is a serious thing to be a troublemaker in God's family" (kindle loc. 1402). Yet, some "Christians" do just that. They are turning to their wisdom and not God's. They justify their actions by telling themselves they're right.

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them (Romans 16:17).

Most churches have to contend with a troublemaker at some point in time. It's important to use God's wisdom and Word in dealing with them, and not our own. Our natural inclination is probably to tell them what we think, but that only brings us down to their level. God commanded that we treat everyone with love, even the troublemaker. He made no exceptions.

These things I command you, that ye love one another (John 15:17).

Several years ago, I was teaching an adult Sunday school class. One of the men in there took exception to some of what I said, and often tried to start an argument. For example, when I was teaching the Great Commission, he said he didn't think we should go into other countries, because there was enough that needed doing right here in America. I asked why we couldn't do both, but I kept my voice tone pleasant. Later another member of the class asked me why I allowed someone to challenge me like that. I tried to explain that I wanted to act in kindness no matter what others did. I knew in my heart I was following what God wanted me to do.

But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matthew 5:44).

There was a member of another church who became obsessed with politics, and one of the political parties seemed to be his religion. He took exception to what the pastor said, because the minister tried to be unbiased in pulpit and didn't overtly favor either party. The man stood before the congregation and called for the pastor's resignation. The people unanimously supported their minister.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another,,, (Hebrews 10:25).

Another time, a man got angry with his pastor and church and declared he would see that the church closed its doors. Declaring war on God's church seems awfully scary to me and is certainly not a wise thing to do. That church is still holding services years later, by the way.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

God doesn't want his people behaving like this. When they do, they're not loving others as themselves, but putting themselves and what they want first. In fact, when a believer makes trouble, he or she is outside of the will of God. He calls us to be peacemakers, not troublemakers. Let's heed that call.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9).

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 Action Tags

If you use "said" too much in writing a novel, it becomes redundant. If you use other words that might be considered synonyms for "said," it sounds awkward. So, what's a writer to do? Use action tags. They can help move the story, provide more information, and enliven the story.

Action tags describe a movement or give an action right before or after the speaker says something, letting the reader know who is talking. Here are some examples:

Ellen gripped the chair arm. "I don't know what you're talking about."

A slow grin spread over his face. "Darling, you don't know what you're asking."

"Connor is back in town." Kaylee tried to keep her voice as normal as possible. Had she succeeded?

The writer may still need to sprinkle some saids throughout the story, especially in a long conversation with more than two people, but they can be used sparingly by also using action tags. In addition, the story will become a whole lot more interesting.

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Obeying

And keep the charge of the Lord my God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest and whithersoever thou turnest thyself  (1Kings 2:3).

Most of us don't like to think of obeying someone, but it's crucial to obey God. He's our Heavenly Father, and we owe Him obedience. The Bible tells us to obey God over and over again. Doing so makes for a more satisfying and abundant life.

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to harken than the fat of rams (1 Samuel 15:22b).

There are many incidents of people disobeying God in the Bible, and there are always consequences to sin. Abraham and Sarah had to face unnecessary problems because they failed to wait on God to give them their promised child. Lot's wife was turned into a pillar of salt when she didn't obey God. Moses didn't get to enter the promised land because he struck the rock God told him to only speak to. Sampson ended up chained and blind because he let earthly pleasures take precedent in his life. Jonah almost lost his life because he ran from God instead of obeying. Naaman almost remained a leper because he wanted Elisha to give him some great miracle instead of being obedient and washing in the Jordan River. These are just a few incidents in the Old Testament, and the list could go on and on.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22).

What if ...
Adam and Eve had always obeyed God? 
Mary and Joseph had not obeyed?
Noah refused to believe he should build an ark?
Moses hadn't gone back to Egypt?
The disciples had refused to follow Jesus?
Saul (Paul) had refused to change?
How much would this world be transformed if everyone obeyed God?
Will you choose to obey through love and the Holy Spirit?

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Ending Romance Novels

The ending of a novel is important. A reader has invested their time and probably some of their money to read the book, and they deserve a satisfying ending. This is especially true in romance novels, a genre where readers expect happy endings. If a reader is not satisfied when they finish the book, they aren't likely to choose that author's work again.

However, the ending in a romance novel can be a difficult balancing act. On one hand, the ending shouldn't be too saccharine, melodramatic, or sickeningly sweet, which may turn off many readers. At the same time, it shouldn't be stale, dry, or just told without emotion. I have read too many novels with both of these extremes.

The best romantic endings involve the two main characters and show their emotions. Loose ends should have already been tied up. Normally, what is going to happen to them in the future isn't important. The reader wants to be in the moment and feel the happily-ever-after along with the characters. There are exceptions, of course, but they should be rare, because of some other factor and not a random choice. In a nutshell, the ending should make the story worth the readers' time and money.

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In Unity


There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ  Jesus (Galatians 2:28).

In the early church, once hostile Gentiles and Messianic Jews were united through Christ. No matter our cultural or worldly differences, we have more in common if we have Christ. Brothers and sisters in Christ should never be enemies. Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we need to present a united front to combat the evil in this world. That's such a huge task, Christians should never be combative to each other.

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 

Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:2-3).

Jesus is our example. He exuded a hundred times more love and peace than he ever showed anger. He welcomed those that others rejected. He even washed Judas' feet at the Last Supper, although Christ knew the man would betray Him. He humbled Himself before this enemy and treated the betrayer with love. 

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment (1 Corinthians 1:10).

As Christ-followers, we need to focus on our commonalities instead of our differences within the Christian community. We need to unify to fight the enemy who seems to be gaining more and more followers in the world. As Helen Keller once said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." Let's serve Christ together.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity (Psalm 133:1).

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Dependence on the Internet

My internet has been going out too much lately, and it's been a stark reminder of how much I depend on it as a writer. Recently, I wanted to finish the last chapter in the rough draft of a novel I'm writing set during the Revolutionary War. I couldn't look up the words online to make sure they were used in that time period. I couldn't check maps for needed geographic information or do other research. I couldn't find a quote to go under the chapter heading that went with that chapter, and the list goes on and on.

I respect those early writers who had to do it all by using their own books, going to libraries, or visiting other physical sites. No wonder it took so long to write a book then. It is easier today and has allowed more people to become authors, but that has both a good and bad side. With self-publishing, we get books covering a broad range of qualities being released. Most of them have editors, but not all.

I started off with a traditional publisher and published five books with them. They taught me the importance of using online sources to promote and market books -- another authors' use of the internet. I was frustrated when my internet went out during a day I was guest blogging on a well-known author's page. As an author, I feel handicapped without it for so many different reasons.

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Why Pride Is a Sin


In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them (Proverbs 14:3).

When believers realize who they are next to God, they can't help but be humbled. Pride erases this. Pride puffs us up and tries to tell us we are better than we are and deserve more. It causes us to become self-centered and inconsiderate of others. No one can follow the Golden Rule as God meant and hold onto pride.  Can you begin to see the sin that comes with it? 


Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).

Lucifer was evicted from heaven because he was prideful and arrogant and wanted to usurp God's place. Adam and Eve were convinced to taste of the forbidden fruit because they were told they would become like God. And many since those have wanted to be elevated. It's a human weakness. But Pride is a destroyer and causes much evil.

Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom (Proverbs 13:10).

Many divorces as well as many dysfunctional families can be traced back to pride. It destroys joy, for it is hard to be content and happy if you feel like you are underrecognized and deserve so much more than you receive. In fact, the proud can also become easily angered or else become braggarts because they want everyone else to realize how great they are. Christians need to follow what the Bible teaches and make a special effort to avoid pride.

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love (Ephesians  4:2).

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves (Philippians 2:3).

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