Quiz · The Craft of Editing a Manuscript

Question 1What is the main idea of this talk about writing?

Finishing the first draft is the hardest part of writing. Trusted friends should never criticise a manuscript. Editing, though painful, turns a rough draft into a real book. Writers should keep their favourite chapters at all costs.

Question 2What did an editor once tell the speaker to do?

Remove the favourite chapter completely from the book. Make every chapter of the book much longer. Read the whole book aloud to an audience. Give the manuscript to a professional writer.

Question 3Why do many professional writers read their work aloud?

To practise speaking in front of readers. To memorise the manuscript before publishing it. To check the spelling of difficult words. To catch unnatural dialogue and clumsy rhythms.