How to correct my book?

In today's article we will try the correction of the novel, because as was discussed in his day in 'How to write a book', it must be done several times to get the best result.

After so much effort dedicated to that manuscript, which you think is perfect, it is when it is the turn of corrections. You must be aware that we all make mistakes, but do not overkill yourself, I do not want you to sink because you can achieve your success if you propose it.

That's why we need to take that look before sending it to any editorial, literary contest ...

Source: primeroseducadores.blogspot.com

What corrections can we make?

To start, the spelling is what we most look, however well you know write, we all make a mistake and have to correct it. When writing, we usually do it in periods of inspiration and to take advantage of it we do not notice the mistakes that we may be making, so in general, we usually have some errors. Rereading the text with a critical eye and hunting for these little mistakes will help us perfect our novel.

The structure is also very important, we must look at each paragraph and chapter, since perhaps we can change them of place to give more sense to our history. Often each chapter looks great separately, but maybe the structure of the novel is not the most appropriate and we must establish a change or a new structure. Does the story work? Is there coherence in the plot?

Last but not least, we found the style. We must be honest with ourselves and realize if the novel has the same style from beginning to end. One must take into account that writing takes time, and it is possible to begin by adopting one tone and ending with another. It is precisely one of the aspects that are evaluated and corrected when taking into account the style.

How much time should I invest?

Writing is a long process, and correction as well. It is a way to evaluate your work, to polish those parts that need improvements, to cut or eliminate what is left over or boring. It is a necessary task if we want a decent manuscript.

Rewriting may be for some the tedious part of creating, it is always thought that it is better to respond to creative instincts, but these do not always guide us to make our manuscript an invaluable piece.

As key, at this point we can highlight the following:

1- Give a rest time to the novel, that we can rest from it and it costs us less to eliminate and change things. In this way we will get another different opinion about our manuscript.

2- We must read it without changing anything a first time, let us see how our story sounds from beginning to end. We must evaluate each plot and conflict to see if they fit together well. At this point we will point out everything we see that is not correct.

3- We begin to rewrite all those aspects that we have aimed to give more cohesion to our manuscript and improve it as much as possible.

4- Now comes the second reading, this is much harder, because here we must look at two things mainly. The parties that bore and the plot. It is difficult to value it because it is ours, but we must do it.

5- In the second writing, we must polish those aspects that we had left, give more strength to the limping parts and we will have almost ready.

6- Now that you think you have everything ready, the time comes for Beta testers, readers who can read your novel and give you a sincere and critical opinion without getting hurt. If they detect errors, point them out and try to correct them.

To finish, remember that you will never be 100% objective because in the end it is your creature, you have created it and you will feel sorry to remove some parts. Therefore, it is best to have a professional, someone who can correct it from another point of view and be a philologist to make sure that each word is correct.


How do you correct your works? Do you take them to someone or do it yourself? Do you have other techniques? Do not hesitate to comment with us, we will be happy to read you.