#1 Self-Editing Tip: Walk Away From Your Draft...Yes, Really!

Every time I write something, I struggle with the urge to edit as I go. I’ve begun to bargain with myself. I’ll think, “Ok, let’s just get this section on the page, then we’ll go on a walk, then we’ll come back, read it over and mark it up.” For me, it’s the dissection, marking up, and re-arranging that makes my writing sing.

As I work on my novel, it’s so, so hard not to edit as I go. But if I can at least get something down, a scene or two, maybe an entire chapter, I can allow myself to read it through to make sure I’m laying the foundation to support the next chapter.

If you’ve completed the first draft of something or are getting close (so exciting!) and are wondering how you can self-edit, I’ve got a few pointers for you.

Once you’ve arrived at the end, whatever that looks like for your project, save your work or put down the pen. Take that walk. Make it a long one. Maybe go on a long weekend vacation, start a new project…pretend like you don’t have a complete draft sitting around begging you to edit it.

If ideas about what you could change in your project pop up, write them down, but don’t implement them immediately. Stay away from your project long enough to approach it again with fresh eyes. This emotional distance will allow you to be a more objective reader once you return to the draft.

When you do read it again, your brain will identify things you didn’t see before. You’ll ask yourself, “What the heck was I trying to say here?” This is the kind of question you’ll need to answer before allowing anyone else to read your draft. Do the easy pickings yourself, then get outside feedback from a critique group or writing partner to help direct you on your next round of edits.

If you missed my April Ask an Editor workshop “Self-Editing Strategies to Revise Your Manuscript” with my cohost Lila LaBine of LaBine Editorial, watch the replay on YouTube and learn story, scene, and line-level editing strategies. We highlight ways to revise your manuscript as much as possible before hiring a professional editor or approaching agents and publishers.

Keep writing!