On a good day, tapping out 1,000 words is easy.
Editing, on the other hand. Not so much. It seems to take FOREVER. That’s why I’ve been working on it.
Here are a few tips I have picked up:
Take a break: I am horrible at this. When I start something, I have to finish it. But after finishing a draft, I force myself to take a break. A few hours, a day, or even longer if possible. This allows me to look at my writing with fresh eyes. This makes spotting the flaws easier.
Read out loud: I am horrible at this too. The chasm between my eyes, brain, and mouth is like the Grand Canyon. But reading out loud helps find awkward phrasing, grammar errors, and typos. It’s also a great way to hear the rhythm of my writing.
Break each sentence out: This one was awkward at first. Separating sentences felt like I was removing the context. But, after watching two editing courses use the process, I tried it. It lets me focus on the sentence’s structure, meaning, and flow.
Cut unnecessary words: I have become obsessed with this. Every word has a job. A word that doesn’t clarify, provide context, improve readability, or make it more likable gets axed.
If you can do the process faster, I’m jealous. If not, you’re in good company. Either way. I hope these tips help.
Thank you for hanging out with me.