I was hunting around google for editors I can't afford to hire and editing software I can't afford to purchase when I found this wonderful little gem of web-based text editing analysis FREE!
http://prowritingaid.com/Free-Editing-Software.aspx
I thought to myself, why would this be floating around free in cyberspace?
I still have no answer to that question. But I haven't tried to figure it out too hard because I've been too busy editing my manuscripts with this awesome text analysis.
It finds all the sticky sentences, all the repetitive word use errors, all the instances of was, had, could, should, would, and that....that need to be reconsidered or removed from your manuscript.
It does not edit for you, but it is teaching me to look at my own material like an editor.
Does that mean I can get away with using this and not hiring an editor at all? Probably not. Will I try it anyway...probably. I have a tendency to learn things the hard way.
Travis
http://www.twluedke.com/
http://www.wattpad.com/story/1785055-the-shepherd
Nice, and free to boot. Guess it'll be on my computer shortly! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt is very easy to use, unfortunately, its web-based, so you copy and paste your text into their program and it spits out a ton of reports highlighting all the various things you should probably fix or at least be aware of.
ReplyDeleteIts a tool to help you see your own writing with an editor's eye.
Hi, Chris here, Product Manager for Pro Writing Aid. Glad you're liking the site. We're working on a MS Word plugin at the moment so hopefully you'll like it even more. Please get in touch if you have any suggestions helloATprowritingaid.com
ReplyDeleteRegards
Chris
I tried this out myself a few weeks ago. Very impressed. The MS Word integration would probably make this a must have for me. Like you it helped, but an editor's eye would still be necessary.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. An editor's eye cannot be avoided for evaluating the plot, characters, and whatnot. A copy editor and proofreader are also a very good idea. What I find with this tool is I can clean up my own material fairly well before I toss it out for beta-readers and critiques. :)
ReplyDeleteI'll give it a try when the Word plugin is available. I don't like the idea of pasting my text online.
ReplyDeleteWell ... my vampire thriller erotica is pretty good stuff. I suppose I should be afraid they might steal it.
DeleteBut then I remembered I can't afford the gajillion dollars for the copyright violations attorney to sue for pirating or plagiarism. So what the hell?
Sounds quite useful! I'm going to try this out. Thanks for the tip Travis!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds very interesting. I've bookmarked and will try it out later, probably with a short story first.
ReplyDelete