Finishing the first draft is a major milestone in any author’s writing process. But what follows is equally important—it’s the editing phase. Some writers look forward to tearing their manuscript apart, cutting and reorganizing, adding and deepening. Others find the process daunting. Whichever camp you fall into, remember that revisions are where the magic happens. No first draft is ever the finished product—several rounds of edits are necessary—and writers should approach revisions with the right mindset and best practices. Use this list of do’s and don’ts to make your editing experience as pain-free as possible.
Book editing Do’s:
- Do give yourself time between finishing your draft and editing. Step away from the project for a period of time (a day, a week) and let the manuscript sit. This will give your brain a break and allow you to come back with fresh eyes.
- Do plan to cut scenes and chapters. You may have heard the suggestion, “Kill your darlings,” and this is the time to do it. During editing, you must be willing to delete and condense in order to trim your story. Yes, even if that means getting rid of parts you love.
- Do plan for multiple rounds of edits. Editing requires multiple sets of eyes—both as a reader and writer. Read through for big picture issues, then read again at the line level for grammatical and sentence changes.
- Do use track changes. Tracking your changes, especially if you’re working with outside readers (beta readers, critique partners, freelance editors), helps see what’s been changed. When someone makes a suggestion, you can choose to accept or decline.
- Do print a hard copy. Continually reading from a screen can be straining on your eyes. Many writers opt to print a hard copy of their manuscript, and are amazed at how many additional typos they catch reading this way. You may also consider reading the book aloud to hear the story and catch any flow issues.
- Do consider hiring a professional…but don’t expect editors to fix all your problems. Most beta readers don’t charge a fee for reading, but if you want to take your editing to the next level, you might be interested in hiring an editor. These professionals offer services including developmental edits, line edits, proofreading, and more. These services are often a worthwhile investment.
- Do read craft and editing books. If you’re planning to do most of your own editing, craft books can come in handy. Read up on the editing process and learn ways you can spot issues in your own writing.
- Do be open to feedback…but don’t feel obligated to agree with everything. It’s hard to accept constructive criticism. After all, your book is your baby, and it’s perfect! (Right? Wrong.) To make your book the best it can be, you must be able to apply feedback. The caveat is this: you can pick and choose. Outside feedback is subjective, and at the end of the day, you have to stay true to your vision for the book.
- Do give yourself deadlines. For those who aren’t particularly fond of the editing phase, it can be tempting to procrastinate. Setting a schedule and giving yourself a deadline will help keep you moving forward.
Book editing Don’ts:
- Don’t layer on the pressure. Procrastination is bad, but too much pressure isn’t good either. Give yourself some grace at this time and remember that step by step, you’ll eventually get to the finish line.
- Don’t rush it. Rushing through edits means you haven’t taken the time to really think about the revisions. Hitting “Accept All” on track changes sounds easy, but the real work comes from putting in the time.
- Don’t edit when you’re burned out or tired. Mental health is key for writers, and trying to push through a day (or longer) when you’re just not feeling it isn’t a great setup for productivity. Instead, try establishing a routine to get in the editing mindset, or come back to your project with a clear head and fresh eyes the next day.
- Don’t assume you’re done after one pass. Good editing requires multiple rounds, so you might as well approach it with this in mind. With each round, give yourself a pat on the back—you’re that much closer!
- Don’t get TOO many sets of eyes. While outside feedback is great (essential, really), use caution. Too many readers can end up providing conflicting feedback, which can cause confusion and stress for you. Keep a couple trusted readers close, with whom you can share and swap working projects.
- Don’t submit to an agent or editor until you’ve at least self-edited. Typing “The End” is an amazing feeling, but it’s not the time to blast out a submission email. Even if you aren’t planning to hire a professional editor, you must at least do a couple rounds of self-editing.
- Don’t take feedback personally. Being able to accept and digest feedback is critical to improving your manuscript. Readers and editors aren’t attacking you as a writer if they make a comment about one of your chapters, or make suggestions on changes. These people are here to help you, and the goal in mind is always a better version of your book.
- Don’t give up! When all else fails, remember this. Writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint. And the editing process is one big hurdle along the route. You’ve got this!