12 Self-Editing Techniques to Make Your Manuscript Shine
“The first draft of anything is sh*t.” – Ernest Hemingway.
As a writer, I’ve always found myself engaged in a love-hate relationship with self-editing. I’ve had to learn the ropes of editing to polish my manuscripts and make my writing shine, but it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Let me introduce you to my old friend, the dreaded red pen, and the journey we’ve embarked on together to refine my writing before I hand it off to a professional editor.
Wrestling the Red Pen
Most of us have one friend who’s always brutally honest, even when it hurts. My red pen is that friend. The first time I applied it to my manuscript, it ended up with a sea of red ink on the pages. I felt deflated. But as I took a deep breath and decided to tackle the challenge head-on, my relationship with my red pen began to be transformed. Together, we started uncovering the secrets of self-editing.
Essential Techniques to Improve Self-Editing
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but here are some tried-and-tested techniques I’ve found invaluable:
Take a break: Give yourself some time away from your manuscript to gain a fresh perspective. Some writers call this “letting it cool.”
Read aloud: This technique helps you identify awkward phrasing and word repetitions. If you get tripped up over a phrase, readers will also likely stumble over the words. When the flow is interrupted, they may not continue reading.
Focus on one issue at a time: Tackle different aspects of editing sequentially. Start with the larger, global, issues first, such as the overall structure, plot, or pacing. Then work toward the smaller, local, concerns, such as sentence structure or word choice. Changing the larger elements first will affect the smaller items, which might get omitted in the process.
Use editing tools: Tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid can help catch errors you might miss. It’s almost like having another set of eyes looking at what you’ve written. But be cautious. Don’t just automatically accept the suggestions the program gives you. For example, the program may flag the word, “you’re,” as a reminder to make sure you mean “you’re” and not “your.”
Maintain a Conversational Tone and Flow
Here’s the secret sauce to writing that sounds like a chat with a good friend:
Use contractions: They make your writing sound more natural and informal.
Vary sentence length: Mix short and long sentences strategically to keep readers engaged. For instance, a short sentence at the end of a paragraph can add emphasis.
Include personal anecdotes: Share your experiences to create a connection with your audience. People generally enjoy reading about other people’s experiences.
Embrace humor: Lighten the mood with a joke or two, but don’t force it. Also, consider your topic and whether humor is appropriate. Whatever your tone, keep it consistent.
What’s the Role of Storytelling in Self-Editing
Storytelling can transform your writing into a captivating experience. Here’s how it helps in self-editing:
Enhances reader engagement: A well-crafted narrative keeps readers hooked. Storytelling isn’t just used in fiction. It adds interest in non-fiction. Be sure to show and not tell when sharing the story.
Creates relatable content: Real-life examples resonate with your audience and help reinforce your main point and theme.
Improves content structure: A clear beginning, middle, and end to a story makes your writing easy to follow.
Embracing the Red Pen
As I continued to practice self-editing, I began to see the red ink as a sign of progress. My writing improved, and my relationship with the red pen evolved from an adversarial one to a partnership. Together, we turned my manuscripts into polished pieces I could be proud of.
TIP: Try different colors of pens to mark up your manuscripts. The idea is to use a color that stands out from the black ink (if you’ve printed it on paper, which many authors do).
The Journey Towards Polished Manuscripts
Self-editing is an essential skill for any writer, but it doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By incorporating storytelling, asking the right questions, and refining your techniques, you can transform your writing into a masterpiece. So, grab your red pen (or your favorite color of a pen) and embark on the journey of self-improvement. It’s well worth it.
If you’re looking for more resources, check out these books: On Writing Well by William Zinsser and the classic, The Elements of Style by Strunk and White.
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