Tell me if you’ve heard this one… A chef and an editor walk into a bar…
What could these two people have in common? Let’s talk about copy editing using an analogy we all understand—food. Bon appetit!
What exactly does a copy editor do?
Copy editors review and edit written content or “copy” to ensure it is clear, concise, and consistent—copy editors are like butchers who select the best “meat” of your work.
Your copy editor’s main objective is to highlight and suggest corrections to syntax (word and phrase arrangement), grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. In short, this behind-the-scenes person makes your writing the best “plated” version of itself.
Additionally, a good copy editor checks copy for continuity, eliminates redundant sentences, and tightens phrasing to streamline your story or message.
As a result, your copy should flow—your sentences and structure seamlessly lead your readers on a fabulously delicious journey.
Understanding the Different Levels of Copy Editing
There are four main courses of editing:
- Developmental editing (helps with story outline, plot, and character development)
- Substantive editing (evaluating the overall scope of your finished draft, reorganization or formatting of passages, clarifying language & intention, and tweaking style)
- Copy editing (correcting minor spelling, punctuation, flow, tone, and grammar errors)
- Proofreading (a final review of your formatted or designed project to fix minor mistakes before publishing)
What makes a good copy editor?
You want to work with a copy editor with a discerning palette and meticulous attention to detail.
Your copy editor should know your subject matter and articulate her edit recommendations clearly and efficiently. Then, with a pinch of rephrasing or grammar revisions, your copy editor refines your content project or “recipe” to perfection.
What traits should a copy editor have?
The following are the top three traits of a good copy editor:
- Detail-oriented, ensuring consistent details, timing, descriptions, settings, and characters. Your copy editor needs to be able to follow threads, find correlations, and connect the dots.
- Intuitive, creative, empathetic, and able to look beyond the box to understand story plots and character arcs.
- Respectful of your story idea, effort, and creative voice. The last thing you want is a copy editor to disrespect your investment and creativity by completely rewriting your work.
Note: Copy editors are not copywriters or ghostwriters.
What things should you consider before investing in a copy editor?
Before you engage a copy editor, review your work. First and foremost, spellcheck! How does your copy “taste” to you? Then consider the following:
- Is your sentence structure in a logical order? For example, do the sequence of events, locations, and timeframes make sense?
- Is there a smooth flow of ideas from one thought to the next?
- Are facts and details consistent?
- Are your characters, locations, and other details “alive,” allowing readers to connect deeply?
- Do you maintain a consistent writing style and voice?
As a writer, you’re the chef. You create the tempting meal, and as copy editors, we plate it up pretty. How much work we must do depends on your “dish’s” complexity and how neatly you hand it off.
You want a “sous-chef de copy cuisine” who understands and respects your vision and can detect any bitter bits to refine your masterpiece.
Get in touch to discuss how Boss Copy Editing can help you present tasty, well-blended, and engaging content to reach more fans, supporters, and clients.
