Tag: Taking Up the Sword

There’s a saying in the legal profession: “A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client.” The same could be said of a man who is his own editor.

An editor, first and foremost, represents a fresh set of eyes on an author’s work, allowing you to see your book as your future audience will see it. That’s something you can’t do on your own. Since the editor would be seeing it before it hits bookshelves, his perspective allows you to make much-needed improvements before embarrassing errors go to print. He is not only an invaluable sneak peek, but an editor also has very specific, extensive training and experience in the intricacies of language that will help you hone your manuscript and elevate it to new heights.

An editor will approach every manuscript with an agenda and with specific set of standards he needs to apply. As he assesses each manuscript, he’ll ask and answer a number of questions to guide him in the editing process:

• Does the first chapter compel the reader to continue reading?
• Is the grammar consistent and impeccable throughout the book?
• Is the style and tone consistent throughout?
• Do the facts of the story remain consistent?
• Will the reader interpret the author’s message as the author envisions it?
• Are there elements of the plot or characters that could be stronger or more compelling?
• Is every scene plausible within the context of the story and genre?
• Are there passages that are not necessary to advance the plot or character development? Are there additions that need to be made to advance the plot or define characters?
• Does the ending tie up all the loose ends introduced in the story? Is it a satisfying conclusion?

An editor helps fine-tune these and other elements of a book, helping you uncover better ways of conveying your story – ways that keep people reading and provide them a more riveting reading experience in the process. An early investment in professional editing can end up paying off in the long-run with a higher quality book that garners good reviews and more (and more satisfied) readers.

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“All in all, I was very impressed with the exceptional job your group did on my book and the cover pages were fantastic and have received notice from other authors and publishers.”

Randall Bennett became a Special Agent in 1987 and has received numerous awards and commendations, including the FBI Director’s Award for Excellence in International Terrorism Investigations, The Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent and Employee of the Year, The U.S. Department of State Award for Heroism, Spain’s Medal of Merit with Distinguished White Cross, several awards from the Pakistan Ministry of Interior, the country of Ukraine, and others from the U.S. Marine Corp, the CIA, DEA, ATF, U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, and many others. He is currently retired but continues to provide security expertise overseas as a contractor for the Diplomatic Security Service.

Randall Bennett’s memoir reveals his evolution from a new Special Agent to one of the most experienced in the U.S. Government. Bennett and his various teams approached each mission with intense focus, courage, and compassion. Taking Up the Sword relates the wide range of his adventures, from searching for narco-terrorist operations in the Colombian jungle with the true Tarzan of the Amazon, to rescuing abandoned family pets and a baby gorilla while protecting the American citizens in Kinshasa, Zaire, to risking his own life trying to save Wall Street Journal Reporter Daniel Pearl. It includes the actions that led to the capture of “The Dirty Bomber” Jose Padilla, as well as his nearly six years in Pakistan and a tour as head of security for the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Iraq. Bennett survived bombings, rockets, and assaults against himself and those he was sworn to protect throughout his highly decorated career, all while doing a job he loves. With an original and fascinating perspective, Special Agent Bennett takes you behind the scenes-to the jungles, deserts, mountains, and exotic back streets of foreign countries-where these elite and highly trained Special Agents do things that books are written about and movies are made for-quietly and often without recognition.

– Randall Bennett, author of Taking Up The Sword