Why is Self-Editing Important?

If you're aiming for traditional publishing, my recommendation is to refrain from hiring a freelance editor before you start querying agents. As a writer, you must be capable of self-editing; your publisher will expect you to address major issues highlighted in their feedback.

Publishers typically send an editorial letter outlining overarching concerns but will expect you to resolve them. Agents will also shy away from signing authors whose drafts are poorly executed. While you will undergo line and copy edits with your publisher, these are intended to refine already solid prose, not to salvage a disorganized draft.

Learning to self-edit is vital, especially for self-publishing authors. In that case, hiring a freelance editor for a developmental edit is advisable to aid in your revision process.

What Exactly is Self-Editing?

Self-editing involves recognizing problems in your manuscript, whether through your own insight or feedback from others, and devising solutions.

While developmental editing is a broad category, I will begin with surface edits, specifically line and copy editing. Line edits focus on sentence structure and prose, while copy edits address grammar and usage.

Although it's essential to master both, this discussion will concentrate more on developmental editing. However, continuous improvement in line and copy editing is crucial as you progress in your writing journey.

The cleaner and more precise your writing, the stronger your overall work will be. It's unproductive to dive into deep developmental edits if your prose isn't polished. Novice writers should prioritize mastering line and copy editing before progressing to more complex issues.

One effective strategy is to have someone thoroughly edit your early chapters—this could be a critical critique partner or even a professional editor. While I don't recommend hiring an editor before querying, some writers find value in having an expert dissect their work to highlight areas for improvement.

As a younger writer, I faced harsh feedback from beta readers on my fan fiction, which helped me recognize and rectify my mistakes. This experience allowed me to develop my self-editing skills, ensuring that by the time I transitioned to original work, many of those issues were resolved.

The Path to Effective Self-Editing

The first step in self-editing is to absorb as much information as possible about common writing pitfalls. This includes reading articles, watching AuthorTube channels, and studying craft books. Here are some red flags to watch for as you learn to line and copy edit:

• Passive voice
• Repetitive sentence structures
• Overuse of adverbs and adjectives
• Cluttered dialogue tags
• Telling rather than showing
• Echoing words excessively within sections
• Crutch words
• Overly flowery language
• Information overload

By addressing these issues, you can significantly enhance the quality of your writing.

Developmental Editing: The Big Picture

As you gain experience, you'll become adept at spotting issues in your work without external input. Initially, however, obtaining feedback is crucial. Engaging with beta readers and critique partners early on helps you learn to receive and apply feedback effectively.

Understanding how to interpret critiques is vital. It’s essential to choose your readers wisely; friends and family often provide overly positive feedback. You need critique partners who can articulate their thoughts and provide constructive criticism.

Handling Critique: Staying Open-Minded

Defensiveness is a natural response to critical feedback, but it's important to manage this reaction. When I first receive feedback, I often feel a wave of defensiveness. It’s crucial to acknowledge these feelings and then step back to view your work objectively.

If you don’t embrace constructive criticism, you’ll hinder your growth as a writer. An essential component of self-editing is engaging critically with your writing.

Identifying Your Common Issues

Begin your self-editing journey by pinpointing the most prevalent problems in your writing. This could involve pacing, character agency, or conflict. Understanding these issues is the first step toward improving your manuscript.

Once you identify these challenges, think critically about what changes you can implement to address them. This process is not straightforward and requires patience and dedication.

Developing a Revision Strategy

As you sit down to revise, it’s often effective to focus on broad issues that significantly impact your narrative. Start with overarching problems like pacing or character development before delving into finer details.

Embrace the Tough Choices

Self-editing often requires letting go of your favorite parts of the manuscript. When you uncover a problem, be willing to discard sections that don’t serve the story, even if they are dear to you.

It’s important to be objective and evaluate each part of your manuscript based on its contribution to the overall narrative.

Seek External Support

Sometimes, self-editing can lead to feelings of frustration and self-doubt. In these moments, it’s beneficial to take a break or seek feedback from trusted critique partners. They can help you regain perspective and confidence in your work.

Remember, self-editing is a collaborative process. Your support network—whether beta readers or critique partners—plays a crucial role in your growth as a writer.