Want to save money this year when it comes time to hire an editor?

Keep in mind that editors often charge by the hour. So the better you can write, the less time your editor will spend going through your manuscript. here are a few quick tips to help you save money when working with an editor.

Start your story with a bang.
Don’t make your editor rewrite your opening because you’ve launched into a wordy intro, prologue, or first chapter. Hook your reader from the get-go. Your editor (and reader) will love you for it.

Cut out unnecessary words.
Editors edit; that’s what they do. Be concise in your writing. A lengthy paragraph about the color of someone’s eyes or the time of day can be cut down to a few succinct words.

Go easy on passive verbs and adverbs..
Editors cringe when they see the passive voice or too many adverbs. The English language is full of exciting, creative action verbs. Use them.

Show, don’t tell.
You’ve probably heard this advice a thousand times. Listen to it. Your readers want you to show them what is happening in your story. Is it a sunny day? Don’t tell us it’s a sunny day; show us how the rays bounce off the hot asphalt.

Three must-have writing tools.
Every writer should invest in three invaluable books and study them: a book on writing well, a good grammar and style guide, a Thesaurus.

Take the time to learn these simple skills. Your editor will spend less time reworking and editing your manuscript, and you will save money.