Happy first Insecure Writer's Support Group Wednesday for 2013. Thank you again to Alex J. Cavanaugh, the creator of the group. The first Wednesday of every month is dedicated to this group of supportive writers. If it's something you're not familiar with, then please click on Alex's link above for more information and to sign up!
As I finish my final edits for SUSY Asylum (finally in the home stretch!), I'm preparing for a re-release of Provex City. I've already compiled a list of corrections and small edits for a 2nd Edition of my debut novel. I know I'll never find every typo and mistake, but it drives me crazy every time I come across one. I want to make it as good as I can, knowing I can't reach perfect...but I can strive for it.
One of the reviews I received during my blog tour, though it was a good review, mentioned that self published books typically need more editing and general cleaning up, but it wasn't a big problem with Provex City. My tunnel vision zeroed in on the word "big." So it wasn't a big problem, but it was a problem--it was noticeable enough to warrant mentioning. I know I shouldn't read that much into word choice and the reviewer probably meant the comment as a compliment. And then I found a typo in one of the excerpts I gave to a blogger for another stop in the tour. I was furious when I read it. I had just cut and pasted from the Word document I'd submitted to Createspace--so if the typo was in the excerpt, then it was also in the book. I went and found it right away. Damnit!
Again, I know I won't find all of the mistakes, but I can correct the ones I've found, and that makes the extra work worth it. And I can refocus my obsessive tendencies on the next project, and finally start writing again. Hopefully, next month I will be able to say I am somewhere into Book 3, bringing new adventures to life.
How was your January? How is your year shaping up? As always, thank you for reading!
(Wednesday)
Typos happen even in the big publishers' books. My publisher has graciously fixed a couple in my first two books, but I've never gone back through either one after publication because I know I would see a typo and it would make me nuts.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're in the home stretch with the next book!
LOL we had the same thought today.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alex. I actually just put down a book (traditionally published), in which I found two typos, plain as day. It happens. I know what you mean about letting one little word (in this person's comment) get to you. But try not to read more into things than the person intended. I know, easy to say, hard to do. I applaud you for going back in and correcting typos. Congrats on your new novel's progress!!
ReplyDeleteI too recently found typos in one of my books.
ReplyDeleteI would never point other people's but not all people are the same, I think many of us have got to get thick skinned over remarks.
Yvonne.
I don't think typos can be eliminated completely. I have ran into them in published books often. Make your best to find them but don't let them drive you crazy.
ReplyDeleteTypos will happen. Assholes jealous of your success will point them out. True readers won't care. That's just the way it is.
ReplyDeleteArgh, typos are enough to drive anyone crazy, but it sounds like you have a good plan to deal with 'em. :)
ReplyDeleteI always miss obvious typos. That's why I need a second set of eyes to look at it when I'm done!
ReplyDeleteAllison (Geek Banter)
I feel your frustration, Michael, for it is mine also. On the other hand, I find as many typos and mistakes in books by big publishers as I do in most self-pubs.
ReplyDeleteI found typos in my blog posts before, and I'd get so ticked. Then I'd fix it. LOL But I know, they happen.
ReplyDeleteI've found typos in all kinds of books. Not just the self-pubbed. DON'T beat yourself up over it. Good writing always trumps a few typos, in my eyes :)
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, I would have done the exact same thing with the "big problem" comment. I agree with everyone else though, I find typos in traditionally published books as well, I think it happens to everyone. And for the record I didn't notice any typos in Provex City when I read it!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend coming up. :)
I think it was a bit mean to even mention it in the review, when as others have said, typos occur in even big publishers' books which have had countless sets of eyes over them. The story's the important thing! But yeah, it would bug me too. Best of luck with Book 3.
ReplyDeleteHow frustrating! So sorry, Michael. But really, 99 % of us look past any kind of typos and enjoy the story for what it is. Nothing can ever be *perfect* ---and while I think it's great to strive for being as perfect as possible, it's also okay to know it never will be! I'm excited for you, Michael. Keep pushing! You're doing great things. :D
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about wanting to have the most typo-free product to send out to others. But please don't be too hard on yourself- everyone makes typos. When I read a story, I focus more on the general content than anything else.
ReplyDeleteI read typos all the time. I'm a very forgiving read as long as the story keeps me interested. People that feel the need to say something are either too anal and they can't help it or they have sour grapes. Either way, like all criticism, take it with a grain of salt and keep moving forward.
ReplyDeleteHope that helps, Michael. :)
Yes, it occurs in all books, I made finding them in mine a contest at my book launch. It helped to be upfront about it, because some readers take such delight in pointing them out.
ReplyDeleteDon't stress -- you find them in all the popular books!