Hard Copy Edits
For some reason I always wonder if I can skip this stage. Then I convince myself I can’t. I go ahead and print out my ms, and boy, am I embarrassed I ever thought I could skip the hard copy edits.
My eye definitely picks up new things looking at print. It isn’t so much the fact that its on paper, I think, but that it is simply a different medium. Looking at the ms backwards on the computer, starting from THE END and working your way back, would also throw up a lot of nits to fix, but I like doing it chronologically and getting the same result, if I can, because chronologically also shows up continuity errors. And for some reason, with the ms I’m revising at the moment, I get the feeling I’m too abrupt with my scene endings.
What’s your view on hard copy edits. Must do? Could take ‘em or leave ‘em? Waste of time?
October 20th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Copy Edits, so important! Printed out on paper? Man, I can’t do it. That’s SO MUCH paper! I think the trees would haunt me, LOL! I’m neurotic about paper. We’ve got it down to about two pieces of mail a week, and we’re entirely paperless aside from that.
This was only achieved because I didn’t take my printer with me. When I moved, I had to go through PILES AND PILES AND THOUSANDS of pieces of paper that Glenn had printed out and stuffed around his room. He’s addicted! It’s crazy! It took me weeks!
October 20th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I do the paper, too. Like you, I find so many errors. I think about going backwards sometimes, but don’t for the same reason you do. I could do both, backwards and paper, but that’s too anal for me.
October 20th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Gotta do a hard copy when editing. There’s something about having the ms in hand that does help you to find errors. Never thought of doing it backwards, though. Don’t think I could.
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:15 pm
I don’t do hardcopy edits. For me, it’s a waste of paper and ink cartriages. Perhaps someday when I’m paid enough to do hardcopies, I will. But in the mean time, waiting weeks between revisions works well for me in terms of finding mistakes.
October 25th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Very true, Natasha. I only use paper made from sustainable forests, to mitigate it a little.
October 25th, 2009 at 10:48 am
LOL, Edie. I agree. One or the other. Not both. I’d probably hate the ms by then if I did that.
October 25th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Liz, I think my brain was just trained to read paper in a different way to the computer screen. Things really jump out at me that way.
October 25th, 2009 at 10:50 am
It does help to leave it for a while, Marcia. But for some reason, even doing that, I STILL find errors on the hard copy I never saw on the screen. Just the way I am, maybe.
October 26th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
I always do hard copy edits on anything important. As easy as it is to make changes on a computer screen, sometimes I just need to have something tangible before me.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:47 am
Oh man, I waste way too much paper. You guys are making me feel guilty. LOL
I print as I’m going on the rough draft and then sit down and read it in one long sitting before starting revisions. And then during revisions, I print each scene after I’ve revised it. Sometimes three or four times. I just don’t pick up things on the computer screen. I even have to print out crit partners chapers to really give them a good crit.
I do use the front and back of the paper and I use recycled paper. But still, I waste a lot.