Proofreading is one of the hardest stages of writing for me. I love drafting and editing, but to read each word and sentence and analyse it’s components is difficult. It’s too scientific for my creative brain, but an important process that needs to be done before considering publication.
Back in August last year, I devised a checklist to tackle the final proofread of Visions of Zarua. My original post was here.
Looking back, I’m quite pleased with it as a ‘how to’ guide. It worked brilliantly for me, but I do have to warn you that a couple of tiny errors still slipped past this stage (slap wrist). Luckily with KDP & Createspace it’s a simple matter of updating the corrected file and within 24 hours the revised book is on sale. However, we should all aim to produce the best book we possibly can from the start and there really is no excuse for letting those errors slip past. My biggest advice is don’t skim at this stage. Focus and stay alert to stop those pesky mistakes from ruining a readers experience.
Proof reading Top 10 Checklist
- Use a hard copy – it’s too easy to skip over errors on the computer.
- Read aloud – but make sure the neighbours can’t hear you.
- Read it slowly, word by word – at reading pace your brain skips over words it expects to see and doesn’t pick up the errors.
- Use a ruler or blank page to highlight the line you’re reading – this ensures you don’t get ahead of yourself.
- Keep focused and hydrated by drinking lots of water – this helps keep you awake, and the trips to the toilet provide plenty of short breaks.
- Use a colourful pen to highlight the error, mark the sentence in the margin and fold the corner of the page over – triple insurance against the error being missed when updating on the computer.
- Avoid all distractions – escape from the phone and the internet.
- Keep a notebook handy – it’s great to make notes of any last minute niggles you need to sort out.
- The main edit should already have been done at this point so focus on errors with grammar, spelling, punctuation, word choice and spacing.
- And finally, there’s no harm in resetting the computer spell checker and giving it one last go.
Used with my Editing Search & Destroy Checklist posted during the E challenge, you should catch most of the errors.
Have you got any proofreading tips to share?
Good luck!
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Quality close ups I want to share.
Check out previous a-z posts here
Suzanne Rogerson Fantasy Author 
A big help for me. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you.
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Sometimes it’s good to take a day or so off before proofreading. If you’re re-reading something soon after editing it it’s easy to miss something.
I like the tip on keeping hydrated. It’s so easy to get distracted from doing that.
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I try to leave a few weeks between printing the final copy and proofreading. Gives distance but also builds up the anticipation!
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Good and helpful checklist.
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Thank you.
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Do you get to the point of absolutely HATING your book by that stage?? I did. Like you, I read mine aloud, walking around the room. The cat gave me odd looks but the neighbours didn’t hear! By then I was on my umpteenth edit though and I was sick of the whole thing!
Enjoying your posts!
Amanda (popping over from http://www.amandafleet.co.uk)
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I was beginning to feel that way, but now that I haven’t had to read through it for a few months, I sort of miss it! I was wondering whether to read it in paperback form, but I’m scared I’ll want to change loads.
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Great advice! I printed my draft as well and it made editing a little less painful. Plus I love to cross things out with a red pen 🙂
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Yes, it feels go to rework a sentence and see how much better it is. I’ve just found a purple pen in my bag and I can’t wait to start editing with it! Will have to wait until after the A-Z challenge is over though.
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Great tips but I’m also at the stage of hating my book! How do you get over that???
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Focus on the good bits and the dream of finishing it being within your grasp. It also helps to have a new project that you can’t wait to work on.
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Reblogged this on Memoir Notes.
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Thanks for sharing.
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Pingback: Proofreading Top 10 checklist – Holton's Horror
Thanks for sharing, I hope it helps.
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Reblogged this on ARHtistic License and commented:
A big thank you to Suzanne Rogerson for this wonderful article, which appeared previously on her own blog.
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Thanks for sharing. I hope people find it helpful.
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