How Do Manuscripts Change During the Editing Process?
During the editing process, manuscripts often undergo significant changes, either gaining or losing length depending on the feedback received and the nature of the edits. Understanding these changes is crucial for authors and editors alike to ensure the final product is polished and engaging. This article explores how manuscripts typically evolve during the first round of edits and offers insights from experienced authors on the common outcomes.
Shortening the Manuscript
In many cases, manuscripts get shorter after the first round of edits due to the elimination of unnecessary content. Editors often suggest tightening the prose, cutting repetitive sections, and removing any fluff that distracts from the flow of the story. This is aimed at improving pacing and clarity, ensuring the narrative is as concise and effective as possible.
As mentioned by a recognized author, 'You get rid of 10%' during the first edit. This statistic highlights the significant impact of early rounds of editing. Reducing unnecessary words, addressing redundancy, and trimming down over-explanatory sections can dramatically cut the length of a manuscript. Authors who follow this advice generally find that their first edits result in shorter texts.
Lengthening the Manuscript
Conversely, manuscripts can also grow longer after the first round of edits. Editors might recommend adding more detail, expanding certain sections, or incorporating additional scenes and character development. When an editor sees potential in the story that the author hasn’t fully explored, it often leads to a lengthened manuscript.
During this stage, authors should be mindful of maintaining the story's flow. Over-adding detail or expanding too much can lead to a monotonous narrative, boring the reader. The key is to strike a balance: enhancing the story with necessary details without overwhelming the reader.
Editorial Decision-making
The direction of a manuscript's length during the first round of edits primarily depends on the specific feedback provided and the author's response to that feedback. If the feedback is to cut unnecessary content, the manuscript will likely shorten. Conversely, if the feedback is to add more detail and expand certain sections, the manuscript will likely grow longer.
For example, leaving out a scene or cutting redundant information can result in a more streamlined narrative. On the other hand, adding depth through new character interactions, additional backstory, or detailed settings can enhance the story but might increase its length.
Author Experiences
The experiences of various authors offer valuable insights into the editing process. Some see their manuscripts reducing by up to half, while others find necessary deletions and additions fluctuating by a modest 5,000 to 10,000 words. Throwing away entire stories that didn’t meet the desired quality standards can be part of the editing journey.
In a unique writing approach, one author writes as they go, editing concurrently. This method might result in a moderate change, anywhere from a -5 to 5 word count fluctuation, after the initial writing phase. However, when authors opt to write their entire novel first and then edit it, the changes can be more dramatic. Cutting up to half of the initial manuscript or discarding stories entirely can be commonplace.
The choice between these methods often comes down to the author's workflow and the nature of their story. For those accustomed to the NaNoWriMo process, where the focus is on getting words on the page and revising later, the changes might be more moderate. Conversely, for authors who prefer to edit as they go, the final product might see more substantial changes.
Ultimately, understanding the editing process and its potential impacts can help writers make informed decisions about their workflow and the direction they want their manuscript to take.