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The Write Software: Editing

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Oh No! I said it! Editing Software! Editing Software! Editing Software! Okay, I’m done being silly. Seriously though this list is in no way a guide to replacing a professional or human editor. These are just a few ways to help catch basic errors and possibly save a few bucks in the editing process.

Free Software

Hemingway Editor– I personally haven’t tried it but many of my writing peers enjoy this program immensely. It’s not as flashy as Grammarly, but it does have a desktop app.

Basic layout but functional

Grammarly– Yes, I know that Grammarly offers a paid subscription to access their full features, but if you write short stories and don’t mind using a web browser to edit your work, the free version is just fine.

Fancy layout but similar features as Hemingway

Paid Software

Grammarly Premium

I have a premium subscription and “I put that ish on everythang!”. No, seriously. I have the keyboard on my phone, the add-in for MS Word, my browser, and email. When you are supposed to be a professional writer, you can’t let them catch you slippin’ in these streets.

Pricing
  • Monthly Subscription $29.95/month
  • Quarterly Subscription $19.95/month billed as one payment of $59.95
  • Annual Subscription $11.95/month billed as one payment of$139.95

For a detailed review and a 20% discount on the premium version, check out Grammarly Review 2019 by Brian Collins on becomeawritertoday.com

Fictionary

Photo from https://prowritingaid.com

Fictionary is meant to be an extra editing layer between your self-edits and a professional editor. I found it to be a little cumbersome with a slight learning curve even after watching the provided tutorials. Otherwise it’s the only program I know where you are actually editing for content and not just line editing.

The best feature: Being able to see your plot points in graph form.

The worst feature: Only able to work on one project at a time.

Pricing
  • Offers a 14 day free trial no credit card needed
  • Monthly Subscription $20
  • Annual Subscription $200

For a detailed review of Fictionary Click Here

AutoCrit

Biggest Claim to fame is being able to compare your work to Best Sellers in your genre.

Best Feature: Whatever algorithms they use, it actually works! I got lots of positive feedback from my beta readers and editor after submitting a short story I put through the program.

Worst Features*: It’s a web-based app so not good if you have slow internet or a computer with not enough functional memory. I have issues with it lagging or freezing up when working with larger documents (close to their 50K max word suggestion). Also no reliable autosave, have to manually save before switching tabs otherwise your editing progress will be lost.

Pricing
  • Basic Plan $10/month No comparison feature and limited to 1000 words at a time
  • Professional Plan $30/month Comparison Feature, genre preference, customized report
  • Elite Plan $80/month adds an author spotlight and writing courses to the Professional Plan
  • Deals on Membership: 14-day Trial for $1 if you sign up for the professional or Elite plan. NaNoWriMo 2018 deal $45 for three months (what I am currently using)

Check out this article by TechRadar for a detailed review

*Update 5/20/2019: I can’t honestly recommend AutoCrit as I had a terrible customer service experience with the billing department. Was over charged several times despite paying for several months in advance. I was refunded but cancelled my subscription because I rather not have to worry about random funds being pulled from my accounts.

WhiteSmoke Writing Assistant

WhiteSmoke is another option that I have just started playing with. I haven’t used it much but it seems to be comparable to Grammarly and Hemmingway just without the fancy platform.

Features

  • Online, mobile, and computer based software
  • Grammar checker
  • plagiarism checker
  • Translator
  • Tiered Subscription Plan

Pricing

  • Essential (online only) $8.33/month billed as $49.95 for the year
  • Premium (online and software download) $13.33/month billed as $79.99 for the year
  • Business (online and software up to three computers) $22.99/month billed as $137.94 for the year

Mobile App can be included with each for an additional $1

So that’s it for the editing software that I am aware of. If there are any others you use or have heard of feel free to put it in the comment section below!

The Write Publishing: Traditional vs Self Publishing

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Probably one of the most heated debates in the literary world. Which one is better? If you ask the writing community across social media, you will find many strong opinions about both. In this article, I will try and give an objective list of the pros and cons to help you decide for yourself.

Traditional Publishing

Pros

  • The backing of a company
  • Cover design, formatting, finding an editor all taken care of
  • Initial marketing push
  • Implied Prestige and legitimacy
  • More/easier access to brick and mortar stores
  • Advances and multiple book contracts

Cons

  • Deadlines
  • Less control over your work
  • Low royalty rates
  • Long process
  • Rejection
  • Contractual obligations

Self Publishing

Pros

  • Complete creative control
  • Produce and publish on your own schedule
  • The possibility of higher royalty rates
  • Flexibility in content (niche markets)

Cons

  • Covering production and marketing costs
  • Imposter syndrome
  • Harder to get into brick and mortar stores
  • No advances
  • Competition

Not all authors choose between the two. A lot of traditionally published authors self publish works for niche markets not represented well by traditional publishing. On the other side of it, many self-published authors still send out queries and pursue agents to traditionally publish their work at some point. The writing world doesn’t have to be one or the other.
It all comes down to what makes sense for you and your work.

The Write Process: Wait

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I know what you are thinking, wait? You found the perfect idea, crafted an amazing outline, and bust out that first draft like a boss. You are immensely excited about your work and want to push it to the finish line! That’s great but now you need to take a step back.

You might be tempted to jump into editing your masterpiece, but taking the time away will give you a fresh set of eyes. You will come back to your draft able to see more small errors and plot holes when you are less familiar with the piece.

I’m not asking you to wait a super long time. Give yourself a week to rest and mull over exactly what you want out of your completed manuscript. I like to read a book or binge on all the shows I missed while fussing over the start of my work. Then when I am fuzzy on the details, I get back to work.

So wait! Maybe check out and Subscribe to the Serpentine Creative Channel on Youtube. Then check back here next week for the first steps in the editing process.

Random Poetry

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I randomly felt like writing a poem. If you follow this blog you know I attempted a ten day poetry challenge last year with mixed results. I swore off posting poetry from that time on but hey it’s a new day. I hope you enjoy!

NaNoWriMo Wrap-Up

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NaNoWriMo has come to an end. It’s a bittersweet moment for me. I am glad I chose to participate and proud of the amazing output I was able to maintain throughout the month. This month of writing has given me both the inspiration and the confidence to push myself in not just writing but many other aspects of my life. Thank you to everyone who followed along with my journey and I hope you will all stick around to see what’s next in the Stellaverse.

Happy Writing!

NaNoWriMo Day 28

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Community is Key

brass ornate vintage key on black computer keyboard
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Day 28 of NaNoWriMawesomeness! I was able to sit down and attempt to write for most of the day. I did more planning than writing to begin with. really hammering in my plot goals for each arc so I could get to the fun part of filling in the gaps. Again I cannot express the importance of having a solid group of writing friends. Even when I feel like I couldn’t possible write that day or even week, my group is there to cheer me on. While I have abandoned reaching a second 50K draft for NaNoWriMo, I haven’t given up completely on writing for the remaining days. I set a new goal of 15K words for the next couple of days and I am proud to say its looking to be quite possible.

 

Total Words By End of Day

11,411

NaNoWriMo Day 27

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Back to Basics

 

adult beard blur brainstorming
Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

 

It’s Day 27 of NaNoWriMo and I must admit that after hitting my 50K goal in the first couple of weeks I got a little over confident in my writing ability. I’d vowed to complete an entire novel draft in the remaining time without factoring in writer fatigue, mental burnout, and family time over the holidays. I’m certainly nowhere near completing a second draft but that doesn’t mean I’m not still pushing to get as many words in as I possibly can this month. To get my writing mojo back I ventured out to a local write in and thankfully it was the perfect atmosphere to get me back in the writing spirit. I added another thousand words to my draft and got to mingle with a few new writers in my area. I guess the moral of this story is never give in to the funk.

 

Total Words by End of Day

7,901

NaNoWriMo Day 22

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photo of assorted food hanging on gray metal railings
Photo by Min An on Pexels.com

It’s so close I can smell it! I’m not just talking about the yummy Thanksgiving Meal I’ll be enjoying later today. Just over one week until the end of National Novel Writing Month! If you haven’t reached the 50K word goal yet, I encourage you to keep pushing. Even if you don’t quite make it or are far from that mark. You deserve a round of applause just for trying your best to get there. NaNoWriMo is definitely a challenge where participation awards are just as valuable. How many times as writers have we heard from friends and strangers “I wish I could write a novel” but they’ve never actually tried? So many I wish I got paid every time. So bust out that laptop, tablet, notebook, pen, and paper and get to writing!

NaNoWriMo Week 3 Wrap Up

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silver stock pot with liquid substance and lemon
Photo by Jens Mahnke on Pexels.com

Thanksgiving is coming up fast and NaNoWriMo is officially in its second half! I had a swell time busting out the first draft of Ferocious and I can’t wait for the editing period to start. I like to take at least a week break from my first draft to clear my head and get a real fresh look at my draft for editing. Although it’s tempting to start on it right away and make a push for a New Year release. I know that for the sake of my readers I need to take this seriously and put forward my best work. Even if it takes longer than my excitement deems necessary. With that being said, Ferocious is the first book in a new series so I have plenty of storylines left to keep me churning out words for the rest of NaNoWriMo and beyond. Will I make it to another 50K in the next half of the month? Keep checking in to find out!

NaNoWriMo Day 17

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healthy person woman sport
Photo by Gratisography on Pexels.com

I’m sure you have seen my enthusiastic posts across all of my social media. I have reached the 50K word count goal. I have also buckled down and finished the first draft of the novel I’d chosen to complete this November. That doesn’t mean I am done writing! Since I was able to get so much done and accomplish the first draft in just 16 days I figured I’d go for broke and double the fun. So starting Day 17 I will start the next novel in the series I’d planned. Wish me luck as I attempt to complete another 50K word first draft in the last weeks of NaNoWriMo!

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