Having a great idea for a book doesn’t automatically trigger great writing skills. Everyone can learn to write well, but it takes time and that may already be one of the reasons you’re not getting started – not enough time.
However, not being a brilliant writer doesn’t mean you can’t write a good book. As long as you’ve got a sound idea for the concept your book is going to present, you can put all the information together. Then all you need is a good editor.
There are different kinds of editor.
- A copy editor will look at your manuscript and make suggestions for where it needs more information, or possibly where some bits might be better in a different place in the text. They’ll also tidy up the spelling, grammar and punctuation as they go.
- A proof editor (or proof reader) will do the final tidy up before the book goes to print.
- A development editor will take raw material and shape it into a book.
- Ghost writers usually work with you by gathering information verbally, possibly along with notes or other information you provide and then write the book on your behalf.
Quite often you’ll find a copy editor that also does development, but proofreading is a different skill and generally done by someone other than your main editor. Ghost writing is something different as the author doesn’t do any of the writing.
So, if you don’t think your writing is ‘good enough’ find yourself a development editor, who will work with you on your manuscript and create a book you will be proud of.
