What is the best editing software?

[Twistedlemon]

Hi all,
I had just published my first short story. Before I put it on Amazon I edited it myself, ran it through three free editing softwares. Wasn't too thrilled with any of them, mostly it just let me know I used my character's name too much. Does anyone have any really good alternatives to blindly finding free software. I'm not afraid to buy a good one, I just don't know which to try.

 

[Ray McCarthy]

Depends exactly what you mean by "Editing" software.
Loads of programs are good for Writing or Editing.
None can replace an Editor or a Proofreader. Few people can proof read their own writing and no program will find the mistakes of perfectly spelled words that are in reality typos.

The Spelling Checker and Grammar checker in MS Word is most suited to business documents and no substitute for Proof Reading even for that, if that's what you mean by "one built into microsoft word"
MS Word is a tool for an Editor person to use (as are many other programs).

 

[Twistedlemon]

I'm defining editing software as a program that searches your document for over used words and passive voice, etch etc.

 

[J Riff]

Personally, I don't like searching and replacing and looking for over-used words, etc. T'isn't a crutch as such, but reading and re-reading is more important. Editing, proofreading. Narrative flow is what it is, and if it breaks a few rules in order to read better, then so be it.

 

[Ray McCarthy]

I'm defining editing software as a program that searches your document for over used words and passive voice, etch etc.

Pretty lacking in value.
Getting a list ordered Max to least of occurrences of each word is easy to do. I posted a macro for MS Word the other day. Didn't tell me anything useful.
MS Word (or any other WP) suggestions about "passive voice" are pointless.

I just use spelling checker. I put the character names and other made up words in a custom dictionary for that story Universe, then I can spot if I spelled them wrong. The MS Word Grammar Checker is a menace. Though you can turn of some of the rules and have it do something useful. Really MS Word is no advantage over Libre Office for a Fiction Writer.

After that I read through on a Kindle. Then read again a few days later and make notes on the Kindle. Then save new version and edit in the changes.

Finally I need to get someone else to Edit and someone to proof read (these can be same or different person). There are three main levels of editing:
1) Fixing up structure, POV etc,

3) Line Editing. Assumes it's actually written more or less correct.

2) Something more than Line Editing, but not totally drastic. Copy Editing.

Then it needs proof read / corrected. Do not then re-write / edit without changes getting proof read again. Fast readers are usually rubbish at this even if otherwise fantastic editors.

Software can't do this.

 

[Twistedlemon]

I completely agree on rereading being important. I know software has its limits, I didn't know where to look for good editors. I just ask relatives really.

 

[Nick B]

MS word LOVES semi colons. I now hate semi-colons. And Word.

 

[Twistedlemon]

My worst thing is spelling a word right and arguing with the word processor that it's another word entirely.

 

[J Riff]

Yes, just turn off everything and pretend it's the previous century and this new-fangled typewriting machine is just pure science fiction.

 

[Twistedlemon]

I like that idea.

 

[Ray McCarthy]

I didn't know where to look for good editors.

Well, they cost money if they are any good, which is fair. So I'm saving up for one. Then 1st book will pay for later books ...
Createspace, the Amazon SP help / resource site works about US$1,200 for a bigger book.

There are some reputedly good editors here of different kinds. I haven't tried them yet myself.

new-fangled typewriting machine

It's wonderful for making changes on copies without carbon copies and tippex. Also the search and replace is good.
The Outline view if you use H1, H2, H3 for Chapers / Headings / Sections etc is good.

Everything else is really irrelevant. Formatting only matters for distribution, submissions, self publishing etc and any WP with named styles is good for that. I don't even use a real wordprocessor till first draft is complete. Up till then I use pure text files in a high powered text Editor that has Regex search/replace, document, all open in tabs, and all in folder etc search or replace modes.