Self-editing Tips
I’ve read a lot of articles on the editing process. They have a lot in common, but each writer has his or her own system. Here’s mine. I usually work from the big picture (things like character consistency) down to the details (punctuation). I have a checklist, and this really helps me to focus on specific parts of my manuscript, one step at a time.
I’m not an “organized” writer, but I am an organized editor. I try.
Here’s my checklist:
Plot: engaging, complex enough, hits the ground running, starts in right place, keeps moving forward, logical, no coincidence that should not be there.
Character: MC clearly established at the beginning, MC wants or needs something immediately, markers for characters clear and consistent, not one-dimensional has good and bad qualities, makes reader care, motivations clear and right for the story
Setting: appropriate for the story, described sufficiently, but not too much
Dialogue: advances the story, appropriate for the characters, increases conflict, always clear who’s talking
Scenes: there are various kinds of scenes, all further the plot or reveal more about characters or build tension
Point of View: Consistent, the right choice for telling this story
Pacing: Any scenes that drag and might need to be deleted, places dialogue could be changed to increase pace, heighten tension
Tone: Consistent for story, consistent with each character
Conflict: Sufficient to keep story interesting, does it increase throughout the story until the climax
Balance: Description, dialogue, narration, scenes and chapters.
I don’t worry about getting everything during each editing session. Sometimes I make a note to go back to something later, then move on with the editing part I’m focused on during that session.
Sometimes I stop and do that edit, even though I’m focusing on another aspect of the story. In other words, I’m flexible about moving around the story to fix things that come up while I’m in the process.
Suggestions
Stock up on survival supplies. Mine include nuts and water. No wine. I sometimes write with wine, but I never edit with it.
Try for an uninterrupted time. I find that the more I can stick with the story during editing, the better I am at catching problems.
Don’t feel that you’re the only writer who has wanted to throw out their book at this point, but don’t do that. Take a break, then come back to the job when you’re a bit calmer.
Be prepared for several sessions with that manuscript. You’re going to have to edit it a few times. Be thankful when you’re down to those details of punctuation, grammar, word choice, and repeated or words or phrases. That means you’re almost finished. Relax.
Hat’s Off Corner
For seventeen-year-old Macie Breen, life in The Colony is a daily norm of being the odd girl out, that is, until everyday predictable slams to a screeching halt. Forced to the capital city of Bliss, Macie’s life becomes a horrific unraveling as she confronts daunting truths about The Colony as well as who, or what, she really is.
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6476148.Angela_Brown
Angela Brown in the Pursuit of Publishness blog: http://publishness.blogspot.com/
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Angela-Brown/e/B009JJEX60
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaLBrownWrites
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ALBrownwrites
Cathrina Constantine says
We can all learn from your editing tips!
Day Laughs Night Cries says
That's certainly and organized editing process, and you have also provided good tips for other writers.
Congrats to Angela Brown.
Medeia Sharif says
Congrats to Angela. I hope to grab a copy.
Great tips. I need water, soda, and a lot of quiet time at night to get through editing.
M Pax says
I like to get through editing uninterrupted too. It helps. I go through it in swipes/passes. It's impossible to see everything at once. Ugh, I hate the 'I hate this story/it sucks' phase.
Stephanie Faris says
Conflict is definitely important, as is engaging characters. If you bond with a character, you'll follow him/her through anything.
Sherry Ellis says
These are great tips! I always need to watch for coincidences. It's so hard to avoid them!
Heather Holden says
So many great tips! Nuts and water are part of my survival supplies, too… 🙂
Karen Jones Gowen says
This is such an excellent checklist, Lee. And congrats to Angela Brown! I LOVE that cover!
Chrys Fey says
I can always use more tips for self-editing. 🙂
klahanie says
Hey Lee,
Wow, a fascinating insight to your editing process. I had no idea there was such things as editing. I just write whatever and that's it. Okay, I do have a certain dog constantly telling me to change a word here and there and whatever.
Yay to Angela, one of my adoring fans, don't cha know!
Your ongoing starstruckest fan and all round terrific dude,
Gary!
DMS says
I always love learning about other writer's editing process. Great checklist and I think it is important to be flexible during the process. You never know what might catch your eye or what you won't feel like doing right then. Thanks for sharing!
Best of luck to Angela!
~Jess
Rachna Chhabria says
Hi Lee, thanks for the follow, am following you back. You have shared some amazing editing tips, this post is perfect for me as I am currently editing one of my manuscripts.
Congrats to Angela.
Yvonne Ventresca says
Lee, Thanks for sharing your list! And congrats to Angela.
Yvonne
Michael Di Gesu says
Congrats, Angela!
Hi, Lee,
Terrific tips. I try to do all of the above in my editing process. And yes, multiple edits are necessary….
Hope all is well with you, Lee!
Birgit says
Great tips on how to plot the book you wish to write and how often you will be editing. I don't think wine would be a good thing:)
Karen Lange says
Great editing tips, Lee. Editing is such an important part of the process. Congrats to Angela!
Christine Rains says
Excellent editing tips. I always do a lot of passes through a manuscript looking at different things each time. Otherwise I tend to get scattered. And yay for Angela! 🙂
Gina Stoneheart says
I admire your organization, Lee. I try to think about tools such as characterization, pacing, grammar, etc. separately when I'm editing but sometimes, I can't help myself and jump around. Grammar has always been a pet peeve of mine so even if I am trying to concentrate on a scene, I will go over and over and over it again until my grammar is correct.
Congratulations, Angela!
Tyrean Martinson says
Congrats to Angela!!!
And that's a great list for editing. Thanks for sharing!
Jemi Fraser says
Good advice! I tend to get bogged down by conflict. Getting better – but it's a slow process!
Beverly Stowe McClure says
Congratulations, Angela. I'm wondering who or what she is. 🙂
Great tips, Lee. Edits never seem to end. I write a lot of notes, also, to go back and check this or that.
DEZMOND says
those are all wise and handy tips
Julie Flanders says
Yay, Angela!
Love your suggestions, especially the no wine. Sadly editing is when I need wine the most but I know it's not a good idea. 😀
Elizabeth Seckman says
Congrats to Angela!
Excellent tips (especially the no wine). I use a checklist too, though mine is more elementary- like "just" search; chapter plot break down; and such.
Susan Gourley/Kelley says
Great editing tips. Like you, I prefer a big chunk of time. That's the best way for me to catch time line inconsistencies. I always seem to find one.
M. J. Joachim says
Editing can be grueling. I sometimes edit with whine, but never wine 🙂
Patricia Lynne says
Great tips. I'm not that detailed, but I do have a few rounds I do where I focus on one thing at a time.
Caffe Maggieato says
Thanks for these tips! Definitely need to resist the urge when you want to throw that thing out lol.
Angela Brown says
Thanks for the editing tips. I tend to go through multiple editing sessions (partly due to OCD I think) but I try hard to make the final product something I can be proud of.
Thanks as well for the mention in the Hat's Off Corner 🙂
Bish Denham says
I need those editing tips. I like to work from a hard copy too, I seem to be able to see things better.
Sarah Foster says
Great tips! I agree, writing with alcohol can sometimes create some interesting ideas, but editing under the influence probably isn't a good idea…
L. Diane Wolfe says
That's a good tip list. I always edit from paper rather than the computer screen, too.
Natalie Aguirre says
Congrats to Angela on her new book. I like your editing list. And like you, I edit more than once, sometimes focusing on a specific issue.
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Angela, you are more organized than I am! But that's a good thing.
Congratulations!