The Internet has been beneficial for corporations and professionals for decades. Authors and writers aren’t the exception. They use technology in their favor to write and self-edit their own manuscripts every day. Today, authors can easily promote their books just by posting them on their social media or e-commerce platforms.
Millions of people surf the web daily, so the entire world can learn about your stories with just a click. Basically, the Internet has made it simpler and easier to perform different tasks. Editing manuscripts isn’t excluded from this. For today’s post, we will go over the pros and cons of editing software.
Advantages
Since editing is something many authors tend to struggle with, some of them have benefitted from editing software that is available on the web. Artificial intelligence analyzes the text and provides fast fixes to basic grammatical issues. After the long process of penning down their thoughts on blank pages, the next step is to perfect what they have written before it’s placed on the bookshelf. Here are some advantages.
Efficiency
Technology, especially editing software, seemingly simplifies the process of manuscript revisions. Editing covers reviewing grammar, punctuation, and syntax. It might take a couple of hours to go sentence by sentence to correct some pesky mistakes you didn’t notice when you were writing. Besides, you can literally edit a whole paragraph in a couple of seconds just by clicking and selecting the appropriate option.
While we are not proponents of editing software, we will admit that it saves writers time to catch basic issues. Essentially, the software is designed so that you cover more work in less time. Life gets busy, and you might tend to focus on finishing other tasks before the due date. You know you need to edit your manuscript before sending it to be printed, but you know it’s a time-consuming activity. Therefore, editing software is a lifesaver that allows you to do more in just a couple of minutes or hours.
Inexpensive
Some editing programs come with a free trial or limited version so that you can explore and apply self-editing basics for free. Free versions are also known as freeware. Before using freeware, there are some things to take into account. These include the availability of programs in your country and the functionality of the software with your device. Some freeware is strictly meant to be used online, but others can be downloaded to your device. Keep in mind that some editing software is also designed for specific operating systems.
While it might be tempting to use freeware because it allows authors to analyze and decide if the software is worthy without forcing them to buy it, we caution against it. Users aren’t forced to update their free program version, which means that updates to the software are not automatic. Because you are essentially using AI to edit your manuscript, you might miss out on important fixes to the program when using the free version.
User-Friendly
The success of any software program is based on its approval and acceptance by consumers. Some editing programs are designed to be straightforward. Their layout is well-organized, adding quick access to tools and commands. In addition, the interface is simple and requires minimal explanation about how to use the program.
We do not deny that there is a necessity for technology to perform everyday tasks. Software developers are conscious of writers’ demands to have friendly, fast, and attractive products. With that in mind, developers create easy-to-download-and-run programs with simple installation. If you have to use editing software for your manuscript, be sure it is easy-to-understand and doesn’t require too many steps to make or undo changes.
Disadvantages
Even though editing a manuscript is a time-consuming task, there are numerous disadvantages to using editing programs. Here are some of them.
Specific Operating Systems and Computer Performance
Compatibility is an issue you might come across with when using editing software. Some programs have different versions for specific operating systems. It’s common to find that a version for Windows doesn’t have the same tools as one made for Linux. Some of these issues can be small, such as being unable to change the font, or troublesome, including not being able to open the program without another software or a previous version.
Plus, you need to consider your computer’s performance. Paid software programs are routinely updated, so you need space on your hard disk for the extra storage. The CPU is, in general, the most powerful part of your computer, and your computer’s functionality depends heavily on it. If your device cannot handle the additional storage space being used up, you might want to think twice about downloading editing software. The difference is especially noticeable in laptops that have slower processor speeds.
Human Skill
Technology, regardless of how advanced it is, cannot replace human skill in certain areas. It will never replace a trained professional’s capacity to assess and analyze written text. A professional editor always keeps two people in mind when going over a manuscript: the reader and the writer. Understanding the meaning or message of each sentence is a task that takes time and skill. The tone and voice of your manuscript vary in each story you write. Because of these things (and more) editing software is lacking; it simply does not have the capacity to understand the author’s goal and expectations for each manuscript and edit accordingly.
Communication and interaction with the author matters. Getting in touch with the manuscript author goes beyond receiving the work. The editor needs to notify authors of the changes or decisions made regarding manuscripts. It’s like a wheel of communication where all parts interchange information. But the communication process doesn’t stop there.
Feedback
Feedback is vital when reviewing a manuscript. It complements communication with authors. Editing software gives you limited feedback about changes being made. The AI doesn’t advise or coach you about ways to improve your writing. Feedback plays a crucial role for writers because it allows them to understand how their texts come across to readers.
Type of Editing
In a previous post, we discussed the different types of editing for authors. As a first-time author, you should understand the different types of editing available. Keep in mind that most editing programs will give you suggestions about how to fix your sentences or changes you should make to words used in a text. However, there are different types of editors who can do this at varying degrees based on your needs and writing style.
Removing unnecessary sentences or words to make the message clear and communicating ideas properly is a task that can best be performed by a trained professional. AI cannot ensure a good understanding of plot twists, redundancies, or character functions in your manuscript. Do not skip these things before you send your manuscript to be published because the success of your story is at hand.
Takeaway
The editing process consists of a series of steps. Although technology is advancing by leaps and bounds to make everyday tasks less time consuming, it is unable to rationalize nuances in language when it comes to editing a manuscript. Editors take the place of the reader and help shape the intended message of your story. Unlike software programs, they have the ability to identify with characters, empathize when necessary, and shift their thinking to suit the narrative. Also, professional editors have special training to ensure that your manuscript is polished and ready for print.
