Tips for Editing as You Go
I write books that I want to read. That’s why I actually enjoy the process of editing. It gives me a chance to pour over stories that I truly enjoy and find significant.
I am the type of person who edits as I write. I stop along the way to reread the chapter, page, or paragraph I have just written. There are people out there who disagree with this style of writing. They say that when you are working on a first draft, you should just write and let the story flow. For myself, I’ve found that tweaking things in the moment allows me to feel good about what I’m writing and calms me down enough to carry on with the story.
This may not be your style. All good. It piques my ire when writers are told, “This is the way you ought to write.” We are all different, and what helps one author write a book might not work for another. You need to experiment and find what frees up your own creativity.
That being said, here are a few things that I have found helpful to remember when you are editing on the fly. Of course, you should edit again when you are finished the manuscript. And possibly again after that.
Tip 1: If you have spent more than five minutes trying to fix a sentence or paragraph, there is a good chance it is an unnecessary part of the story.
Ask yourself: Would the story be clearer if I simply took this out? I can’t tell you how many times I have been wrestling with words, trying to make them elicit a certain image or sentiment, until I realize they are actually doing more harm than good. You may have to let go of that image or sentiment, but your scene will be clearer and have a sharper impact.
Good writers must learn to let go of things. This IS one of those universal things that applies to all of us, no matter our process.
Tip 2: Less is almost always more.
I still vividly remember a written comment from my high school English teacher after a project that I had poured my heart and soul into: Too verbose. Although I bristled at the time, I now wholeheartedly agree with her. I have always been a wordy writer. I get so excited by the sound of words, the possibilities of what each one signifies on the page. My instincts are to use them greedily. In the past, I reasoned that the more I had on the page, the greater the impact.
It wasn’t until I really started paying attention to the work of some of my favourite authors that I fell in love with a different aspect of words: their ability to absolutely floor you in as little space possible. I like to compare the writing in my favourite series to a rich meal: every word, every bite, is filling. There is nothing extra. Each word is carefully selected to tell the story in the best possible way, and it works!
When you are writing, every word – EVERY word – needs to count. Each one should have a special impact on the story. Use more than necessary, and the impact will be lessened.
As you write, try to catch yourself when you are piling up adjectives in a sentence. If you are devoting an entire paragraph to something that doesn’t have a direct impact on your plot or characters, you may need to take it out. Or challenge yourself to boil it down to one, snappy sentence.
Tip 3: Give Yourself Space
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve finished writing for the day and think, “Good heavens, I’m a genius! Any publisher with even a shred of sense ought to offer me a book deal on the spot!” When I return the next day, my reaction tends to be, “Oh. Hmm. Not publishable, after all.”
There is just no substitution for time and distance. You need to close your computer and go do other things. Coming back to a passage the next day can be immensely helpful. Sometimes, it might take a week. Or a month. For finished manuscripts, I find the space of months to be hugely illuminating. It snaps me out of my author brain and allows me to approach the work as a reader. I hear the dialogue in a new way. I am able to identify details that slow the story down. I discover the most basic of wording issues in a sentence that I have read a hundred times before.
I know the excitement that comes from wanting to get your work published. More, I know the suffocating feeling that comes when you have a story that you desperately want to share with the world burning a hole inside of you. But here’s some advice that I have been offered from others in the industry: You have time. You really do. As much as it might pain you to step back from your work, do it. Give yourself some space. Start another project. Do some things out in the world that will help you stay healthy and well-rounded. And when you’re ready, come back and read your work with fresh eyes. See what you missed the first time through.
Final Thought
If you are the type of person who doesn’t enjoy the editing side of being a writer, just remember that editing is a way to honour a story. You are looking for the best possible way to give it impact. Don’t get discouraged if it takes some time. It SHOULD take time. Masterpieces aren’t typically made in a day. If they were, I don’t think they’d be nearly as special.