Morgen Bailey's Writing Forum

I was just wondering if folks still did editing the 'old fashioned way' and used printout and ink pen.

I know I do. Yes, I do a lot of screen editing, but I just don't catch the errors on screen that I do on paper. Maybe it's just me (or folks used to paper from ages of reading), but even after reading and re-reading, even after a week or so away from the piece, I overlook little things that I catch from a printout.

I have a few ideas why, but am interested in other views on this.

I screen edit. When I feel that it is as good as it gets, I make a hard copy. Invariably, it reads differently and I make more changes. I also read my copy out loud when I am editing. Strangely enough, when I read the same copy out loud to someone else (it's getting harder to find a listener) I will pick up on things I didn't notice before. I am interested to hear your ideas on why we are more successful in editing the 'old fashioned way'.

Unless something's huge I prefer paper editing - something about crossing things out with a red pen. It's fine if it's my own work but if I'm doing it for others then I have to scan it in. OK for a short story but track changes in Word is the best option for novels etc.