You’ve finished your manuscript; congratulations, but now the hard part begins, the dreaded self-editing. It’s one of those necessary evils that halt you in your steps to becoming a published author. But should it be that way?
Think about the last piece you wrote. Did you finish and move on to the next big writing project? Maybe you’ve gone over your work using your awesome editing powers, with little to no tools and now it’s a masterpiece.
More than likely that’s not what happened.
If you’re like me, you finish your manuscript and now the daunting task of editing that work lies ahead, ready to send you running in the opposite direction. This is how writers face their finished work. Taking the time to comb through your hard work will save your sanity and keep you from embarrassment in the eyes of an editor.
I want to give you 4 self-editing methods that will strengthen your writing prose.
METHOD 1: Print out it out and read through your manuscript out loud!
One of the best arrows in your writing quiver is your voice. Seems crazy, but if you take something you’ve written and read your writing out loud, something amazing happens, you’ll rewrite as you read through your work.
The act of reading your own work gives you insight into why you wrote what you did. But when you distill your reading down to the verbal exchange with your mind, you’ll find something that doesn’t fit and needs revision. Revision is the hardest part of writing, but don’t hold yourself to every word and allow your inner critic to tell you it’s okay to scratch that sentence if it’s not reading correctly.
Once you’re done with those edits, change your document and move on to METHOD 2.
METHOD 2: Use Grammarly as a quick grammar and spelling check.
One of my favorite pieces of software to use is Grammarly. It’s a simple and free online grammar and spell check tool that helps you quickly identify and spot those tough to see mistakes. The best part, it learns as you type and can help you adjust your writing on the fly, especially if you’re writing within your web browser.
Grammarly gives you the option to connect MS Word, your favorite browser (if you’re writing a blog post, like this one), and the ability to copy and paste into their editor. They also give you a readout helping areas that need attention. If you’d like to pay for more services to get better grammar help they offer that ability as well.
Check out Grammary.com and start your experience today for $12/mo or sign up for their free option.
METHOD 3: Use ProWritingAid.com for a comprehensive editing experience.
LIke Grammarly, ProWritingAid helps you craft a better sentence. Think of it as a back-pocket editor for a low cost. Every writer needs an editor to make their work shine. This one piece of software takes what Grammarly offers and amps it up to the next level.
Though the software is more expensive, it is comprehensive. Once you input your text using their desktop app, online app, or browser tool, ProWritingAid spits out a summary report filled with useful information:
- Readability score
- Grammar score (spelling, punctuation etc…)
- Unique vocabulary
- Educational grade level
- Sentence structure
- Overused words
- etc…
My favorite part in using ProWritingAid is the ability to look at each area of my writing So I can assess where I need to tighten my prose. I consider this software to be the next best thing to a real editor.
Nothing replaces a traditional editor but for self-editing, ProWritingAid is the best.
METHOD 4: Use Alpha/Beta Readers.
It’s said letting go and seeing someone else critique your writing is the hardest thing a writer can do. Stephen King says to allow several weeks to go by before returning to do any form of self-editing. But having someone else read your darling is the scariest thing you can do, yet also the most rewarding.
Whenever I finish a major manuscript, I let someone read it from cover to cover. I’ve even gone as far as letting someone read the very first draft. YIKES! I know sound scary, but the feedback you get can enrich your writing to where you’ll get better and better with each project you write.
Some of my best work has come from those who’ve read my work, given me positive and important feedback of what worked and what didn’t work. If you want honest feedback and you want to take your writing to the next level, let someone else read your work, while you work on something else. This will give you the critical feedback you need to tighten your manuscript and turn out a better project you’ll be proud to say you wrote.
No matter what path you choose, take the time and edit your work, long before you let an editor see your manuscript. They will thank you and you’ll be helping them do their job better because you’ll be giving them a cleaner piece of work they can use to help you get on the road to publishing for the world to see.
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