What kind of edit does your manuscript need? If you're unfamiliar with the editing process, or can't decide what your document might need, I've summarized the various levels of editing below.  

1. Substantive editing - The editor looks at the big picture, such as the narrative, the plot, character development, and story elements. 

2. Structural editing  - Should the story have more or less chapters? Is it in logical order? What content should be deleted? How sturdy is the story's structure--does it have a solid foundation? 

3. Copy editing - This type focuses on clarity, coherency, consistency, and correctness. It brings together the author's intent and the reader's understanding. In addition to spelling and grammar, a copy editor will look at the usage of numbers, point of view, and inconsistencies. 

4. Proofreading - The last stage in the process involves checking for spelling, grammar, inconsistencies in layout and style, bad word breaks, confusing words, incorrect page numbers, and more. Be sure to notify the editor if there are any unusual spellings in your manuscript. 

5. Fact-checking - Is your information correct? It could be inconsistent and a fact-checker can help. 

Writing is structured with words, sentences, and paragraphs. Why? To help the author organize their thoughts and help the reader better understand the message. 

Transitions indicate the relation between ideas and provide logical connections. Your reader should travel smoothly through your writing and not struggle. 

Create smooth moves by using transitional words, topic sentences, organization, and relationships. 

• Transitional words compare and contrast, they show time, they clarify, and they add information. For example: however, therefore, nevertheless, on the other hand, equally, whereas, and so on.

• Organize your writing like a hamburger. The topic sentence, at the top, introduces your theme. The juicy details are in the middle. The conclusion is at the bottom.   

• Think about the order in which you're going to present your ideas. How can they build off each other? Try arranging them differently. 

• How does one idea relate to the next? Keep your reader on track and don't leave them guessing.

My three favorite things are eating my family and not using commas. Well, not exactly, But I do enjoy my family, eating macaroni and cheese, and using commas.  

Comma - used to set off nonessential information, for introductory matter or afterthoughts,  to separate a series of words, phrases, or independent clauses.
Dash -  used to represent a range of numbers, dates, or time.
Semicolon -  stronger than a comma; weaker than a period.
Colon -  used to introduce a list of items and used between independent clauses.
Parentheses - an afterthought; to provide additional information.
Period - a complete stop...end of discussion.

Apostrophe - form the possessive of nouns, to show the omission of letters and to indicate plurals of letters, numbers, and symbols.

Quotation mark - enclose titles or reports, short stories, articles, essays, musical works, book chapters. Use with special words or terms. Commas and period go inside; semicolons and colons go outside.
Exclamation mark - use sparingly in your writing.
Ellipses - to represent trailing thought, or to indicate omission.
Brackets - allows the insertion of editorial material inside quotations, or can be used to clarify.
Slash - shorthand for "per" and "and" and "or"

Words are often misused or confused. They may look alive, they may sound alike, and they may be similar but have completely different meanings. The following are a few of those words and why choosing the correct one matters. 

farther - physical distance such as car trips and walks.
further - metaphorical distance such as time, quantity, or dreams.

among - used with a group or more than two.
between - being in the middle of separate, distinct things, usually two.

because - use for all causal relationships, e.g., "for the reason that."
since - use in instances involving time.

e.g. - for example (leads to more examples)
i.e. - in other words (leads to further definition)

affect (verb) - to impact. Think "alter" or replace with the word "transform."
effect - the result (noun) or to bring about (verb). (think end result)

that - goes with a dependent clause (cannot stand alone).
which - goes with an independent clause (can stand alone).

amount - uncountable, such as water, bravery, and charisma. 
number - countable, such as dogs, years, and eyeballs.

less - for things you can't count, such as water and potato salad.
fewer - for things you can count, such as M&Ms, potatoes, and glasses.

in - something inside a location, as "they were in the elevator."
into - referring to movement toward the inside of something. 

Redundant words bloat writing, they make writing difficult to digest, and they detract from the quality and coherency of writing. They also create what I call "blah, blah" moments. Here are a few examples: 

Use JOIN or COMBINE instead of join together

Use STARTED instead of first initiated

Use DURING instead of during the course of

Use FACTS instead of true facts

Use SMILED instead of smiled happily

Use HISTORY instead of past history

Delete words such as "quite," "very," and "really." They aren't always needed. 

Have you ever started a book just to get bored or discouraged from its poor writing? Perhaps you didn't understand what the reader was trying to tell you. Don't let that happen to your writing. Here's a helpful checklist: 

• Use logical word order - place the most important sentence elements first. 

• Use parallel structure - ensure introductory verbs are the same part of speech.

• Use active voice.

• Avoid run-on sentences - break them up.

• Check subject/verb agreement.

• Be specific, brief, and clear - what do you really mean?

• Avoid "this," "that," and "it." (this goes along with being specific)

• Avoid confusing statements/personification - objects cannot perform anything.

• Avoid beginning sentences with "there is," "there are," "there was."

• Avoid misplaced modifiers.

• Never rely on spellcheck.

Shinrin-Yoku is the Japanese term for forest bathing. In the Japanese language, Shinrin means forest and Yoku means bathing. Forest bathing, whether done in a forest, park, or your own backyard, involved experiencing and enjoying the outdoors through your senses. It is not about getting wet, exercising, or hiking; rather, it is a way of connecting with the natural world through touching, seeing, smelling, tasting, and listening to our surroundings. Take time to Shinrin-Yoku in your part of nature and discover more energy, a better mood, and less stress.

Available at Amazon.

A beautiful collection of poems written by people who have multiple sclerosis (MS). Editor Jennifer Evans collaborated with patients and caregivers all over the world, and collected over 80 poems that speak to the MS experience. Hear the challenges and the frustration, but also hear resilience and hope. Arranged by category, these beautiful poems will touch your heart; they’ll make you laugh and cry. Most importantly, they’re a testament to what we can achieve as we work our way around the difficulties of this disease. Large print. 2013. 

Available at Amazon.