SIGRID MACDONALD: AUTHOR AND EDITOR

"Here's the best way to proofread copy: Get somebody else to do it."
William Safire—How Not to Write

Have you just completed that special manuscript? Months or even years of research, toil, and overcoming roadblocks are finally behind you. Your book is finished—almost!

Every author needs a professional editor before going to print. Even the most seasoned writers no longer have any form of objectivity about their work in the final stages. Staring at a manuscript, day in and day out over a long period of time, prevents us from seeing our own mistakes or stepping back to ascertain flaws in our plot line and inconsistencies in characterization.

Stephen King recommends giving a manuscript to a trusted reader once you’ve reached the point where you've written all that you can. After receiving important feedback from your reader, it's time to hire an editor.

THE ROLE OF THE EDITOR

What constitutes a good editor? It depends on what you're looking for. Some people only want to have their work checked for basic spelling and grammatical errors. Why is that necessary, you might ask, in the age of spell-checkers? A spell-checker can only determine if a word is misspelled, not if it’s being used out of context. For example, if you want to say, "My aunt came over for tea," but you wrote, "My ant came over for tea," the spell-checker will accept that as being correct. Likewise, it will consider both "everyday" and "every day" to be spelled properly. That's true but "everyday" is an adjective whereas "every day" is a noun.

Other people want a more comprehensive copy edit. They tend to use the same words repeatedly yet their work would sound much fresher with synonyms. Some sentences are constructed awkwardly. An editor can turn that around easily.

Lastly, new writers may be unsure about the flow of their ideas. They want a critique of their manuscript. With fiction, they're looking for tips on character development, background setting, and plot resolution. If the book is nonfiction, writers often need a professional opinion as to whether or not their language is understandable, their concepts are clear and their research is up-to-date.

Editors are usually familiar with several different types of English. I grew up in New Jersey so I use American English as my default, but I've lived in Canada for almost 20 years, so I'm familiar with Canadian spelling (e.g., I spelled “nonfiction” the American way. If I were to have written that as a Canadian word, I would have written "non-fiction"). And I’ve edited at least five books for authors in the United Kingdom, therefore, I know British spelling.

In addition, I rely on the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, as well as Collins Gage Canadian Dictionary; generally, I use my own good judgment for punctuation, but I own a copy of The Chicago Manual of Style and use it whenever clients request me to do so.

Good editors care about the outcome of their clients’ books. They take the time to chat with authors on e-mail, on the phone or in person, if possible, to determine exactly what the writer wants from the editing process.

Good editors also empower their clients; they give them confidence and direction, and add polish and professionalism to a manuscript.

WHAT AN EDITOR SHOULDN'T DO

An editor should never change the voice of the author. We all write differently. Just because someone utilizes a style that is completely foreign or even unpalatable to the editor, the editor must correct obvious errors, eliminate redundancies or make developmental suggestions while maintaining the original tone and message of the writer. If someone tells me that their book no longer feels like their own since it has been edited, I suspect that the editor has inadvertently imposed his or her own style of writing on the book.

COMBINATION AUTHOR AND EDITOR

I’m not only an editor; I’m also an author. I know what it's like to work for a year or two on a book and feel apprehensive about giving it over to a stranger. I’ve written two books and numerous articles that have been published in American periodicals such as the Women's Freedom Network Newsletter in Washington, D.C., and the popular magazine, Justice Denied. In Canada, my works have appeared in the national newspaper, The Globe and Mail, as well as The Anxiety Disorders Association of Ontario's Newsletter, and Carleton University Women's Center's periodical entitled 52%. I had an article published in Toastmaster International magazine, which goes out to more than 200,000 people in 90 different countries.

Consequently, I understand the world of publishing and marketing. Writing a book is only half the job! Marketing, networking and promoting comprise the other half.

MY EXPERIENCE

After the release of my novel, I became interested in editing and have since edited 28 full-length books, numerous articles and websites, as well as curriculum vitaes and biographies. I have worked with several publishing companies in North America and England, and am currently associated with Dragon Moon Press, a science-fiction publishing house in Alberta, and am part of the Trafford Publishing talent pool.

Almost half of my clients have English as a second language, thus, I'm accustomed to helping writers to clarify exactly what they want to say in a language other than their native tongue.

I have also worked with the visually impaired, who face a different challenge from those who are fully sighted, and I once edited and published a book of memoirs for a client who was 103-years-old!

I often work with first-time authors who are bright, enthusiastic and talented, and eager to see their self-published books in print. And, of course, I assist experienced authors who know that editing their own material can spell disaster.

MY STYLE

Editing is both an art and a science. Some things are indisputable; words are either spelled correctly or incorrectly. But many other issues related to punctuation, grammar and style are individual.

Technology now allows me to make corrections directly on a document and return it to you via e-mail, and it enables you to accept or reject those changes. That's the wonderful world of Word's tracking program, which highlights any alterations that I make in red, so that you find them immediately, and can accept the spelling and grammatical changes, but perhaps reject a synonym that I chose that didn't fit quite right for you.

CRITIQUES

If you haven't published a book before, you might wonder whether your manuscript has all of the essential elements that traditional publishers are looking for. Even if you plan to self-publish, you want to sell your book, so it has to be on a competitive par with similar books... Is your current manuscript salable? Is it missing valuable components or conversely, does it provide too much irrelevant detail and information? Is it clear or are any parts confusing to a potential reader, even though they make sense to you?

I can do a critique that will evaluate your plot, character development, conflict resolution, setting, consistency and use of dialogue, if your book is fiction. If it's nonfiction, I'll look at structure, organization, flow, general consistency of themes, and how current and credible your references are.

I'll provide you with a detailed report of the strengths and weaknesses of your manuscript, and make recommendations for improvement when necessary.

WRITING COACH

Do you have a marvelous idea for a book but can't transfer the thoughts in your head on to paper? Have you started to write a book several times but deleted your files because you felt lost and without direction? Look no further! I can help you clarify your ideas and suggest the best way to get your manuscript out of your mind and down into your word processor.

If you're writing a work of fiction, I can assist by reviewing your characters to make them strong and unique; discuss your background setting; help to create sharp and realistic dialogue and to resolve plot issues; and ensuring that you have not contradicted yourself or forgotten about certain characters.

If your work is nonfiction, I will help to assure that your references are up-to-date, the work is organized, well-structured and consistent. I generally conduct sessions on the telephone, and follow-up by sending an e-mail summary of what we have discussed.

MARKETING

Now you have your precious book in your hands. You've given birth and you're ecstatic! But how will you let other people know about it? Can you create a blog or a website? Do you know how to drive traffic there—targeted traffic, the kind of people who are apt to buy your book? What's the trick to establishing an Internet presence and increasing your Google ranking?

What about having your first book launch? Where will it be? At your home? At a bookstore? How will you publicize the event?

Writing a press release can be tricky. So can landing an interview on your local cable show or in your town's newspaper. What about doing Internet radio or pay-for-click advertising? Are they worthwhile or a waste of time?

I can answer these questions for you since I've successfully promoted my own two books and worked with dozens of clients, who have published with traditional companies and those who have ventured off on their own.

Marketing information sessions tend to be more successful on the telephone. I get a good sense of what you already have planned, what sounds potentially profitable and what seems fruitless. After a 50 minute chat, I'll follow-up by mailing specific instructions to you on e-mail as to how to best follow through with your new marketing campaign.

COPYEDITING

A basic copy edit includes a review of spelling, grammar, and punctuation, and of course, typos. A more comprehensive edit involves all of the aforementioned and checking for repetitious words, inconsistencies throughout the text, potentially confusing phrases or concepts, and awkward sentence structure. (A page is counted as double-spaced text, size 12, in Times New Roman font.)

FREE SAMPLE EDIT

How will you know if my style of editing is right for you? I'd be happy to do a free sample edit. Please send no more than 400-500 words to sigridmacdonald at sign rogers.com.

HOW TO SUBMIT MANUSCRIPTS

My turnaround time is generally four to six weeks for a full-length book and 10 days or less for articles. I accept manuscripts as e-mail attachments, on CD or disk, or as printed documents and I can edit directly on the manuscript using a tracking program. I can also work on a hard copy of your book, if you would prefer it that way.

Please put something about your book in the subject title of an e-mail, so that it isn't destroyed by my spam filter!

Don't forget to read what my clients have to say in my blog entitled Sigrid's Testimonials. Several of my former clients would be happy to write to you, if you want further reassurance about my work.

CONTACT ME: sigridmacdonald at rogers.com

BOOKS TO THE LEFT

Please note that I have links to several books on Amazon on the left-hand side of my page. Two of those books are my own and the rest are those that I have edited for clients. Some are excellent and I would encourage you to read about them or search inside the book on Amazon.

MY BOOKS: GETTING HIP and D'Amour Road

"GETTING HIP is a personal account of one woman's recovery from a total hip replacement. From the painful deterioration of her joint, to making the difficult decision to have surgery, Sigrid Macdonald takes us with her on her postoperative journey. She discusses preparation for hip surgery, potential complications of the operation, and provides a detailed description of her rehabilitation. Also included are interviews with ten people worldwide who have had hip replacements.

"GETTING HIP is written with wit and candor. It offers useful tips for coping physically and psychologically with hip surgery, as well as important information about how to treat a new hip in order for it to last as long as possible." (Book jacket.)

"After reading this informative and reader friendly book, you will have permission to vary from the expected norms and accept your own rate of recovery."

Wendy Rogers, Physiotherapist (BPT)

“All anyone needs to know about this procedure is here."

Una Holmes, Veteran of a Total Hip Replacement

Read more about GETTING HIP at Sigrid's Recovery http://www.sigridsrecovery.blogspot.com/

D'Amour Road

"Tara Richards is approaching 40. The thought fills her with dread. She is unhappy with her job as a rehabilitation nurse and disenchanted with her marriage, but lacks the courage to make a major life change. When her best friend Lisa disappears, Tara's life is thrown into turmoil. Has Lisa jeopardized her sobriety by going on a drinking binge, or has she been harmed by her partner, who has a history of battering? Tara joins a massive search for her friend in conjunction with the police, her colorful women's collective, and a 24-year-old man, whom she finds particularly captivating.

"D'Amour Road explores themes as diverse as women's friendships, male violence, wrongful convictions, addictions, cultural biases against aging, and infidelity. With pathos and humor, social activist Sigrid Macdonald draws us into the world of a quirky and imminently likable Canadian woman, whose life is about to be irrevocably changed." (Book jacket.)

She Unlimited Magazine Review by Chief Editor, Veronica Marie Kettler

"A powerful book based on a true story, taking place in Ottawa, Canada. Sigrid Macdonald vividly makes us aware of this growing and ignored epidemic. Missing Persons is an epidemic ignored by many, and as this story unfolds, it is amazing how our eyes are open wide shut.

"The title of the book is a masterful description which clearly depicts the pages ahead. It is an astounding book on women's passage in society. One woman's life, but many are still missing. I closed the last flap of the book feeling empathy, and compassion for those unfound and the painful footprints left in those still looking.

"The characters are real and the story is profound. It is original with a roller coaster ride that explores the reality of a social problem everywhere. Macdonald establishes D'Amour Road, the road of love, also a road to tragedy and unsaid mystery as the search begins for Lisa.”

Review by Dannye Williamsen, co-author of IT'S YOUR MOVE! Transform Your Dreams from Wishful Thinking to Reality.

“In an auspicious debut novel, D'Amour Road, Sigrid Macdonald draws the reader into the free-flowing associative thinking of Tara Roberts, whose mid-life crisis is punctuated by a desperate search for her best friend, Lisa, her life sponsor, the one to whom she turns when she trips over life. Lisa's disappearance drives Tara headlong into the complex psychological and social dilemmas that define her mid-life crisis.

"With stunning originality, Macdonald thrusts readers into a non-stop ride that explores both the mundane and the soul-stirring themes that color the human landscape. In a well-conceived metaphor, Macdonald establishes D'Amour Road, the road of love, where Lisa's car is abandoned as the focal point for the search for Lisa as well as the psychological search for Tara. Beginning with doubts about everything, Tara's search ends in certainties that are rooted in love and trust in herself: ­certainties that transform the old age of her youth into the youth of her old age."

Read more about D'Amour Road at http://www.visitdamourroad.blogspot.com/ or click on the link to the left that says Visit D'Amour Road.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Sigrid Macdonald

INTERESTED IN MY SERVICES? SEND AN E-MAIL TO sigridmacdonald at rogers.com.