........ by self-editing
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| Pic from here. |
As you all know, editing is not one of my strong points. So, I am always on the look out for books and articles on editing, anything that will help me become a better writer and editor of my own work. I friend passed on this link to an article written by Susan Harkins at Tech Republic. 10+ ways to improve your writing by self-editing. There are about thirteen tips which are quite simple to start me off on my journey to improvement.
The first step I have done: Putting time between me and my work. It has been a few weeks since I typed up my mss on the computer. Putting time between me and my work will allow me to see the work with fresher eyes and therefore able to spot the big and little mistakes.
The second step I am still working on: Read like a reader not and editor. Really? But isn't that what the second + drafts are for? But reading on, I guess I get it. Reading like a reader will first allow me to see if my points in the story were made. If my plot is clear and defined. Story line and arc flows. I get it now. While I will see some errors, it is not so important to put a lot of labor into them at this stage of the editing process.
The third step which is where I am at right now: Simple/Limited Editing. I am going through looking for spelling and grammar mistakes. I am slow with rhymes (my story is in rhyme) so I know this will be something I have to work on in a big way. I may even have to rewrite it in prose to see if it works better. But taking the advice of Susan Harkins, I will stick to limiting my edits until step four. I have made some notes though about changes that I'd like to make :D
to be continued......
5 comments:
I find reading like a reader very hard (since readers wouldn't know the story inside out the way I do). I use text-to-speech (where the computer reads my MS aloud) to make it sound not like my book.
mood
Moody Writing
Step 1 is the hardest step for me because I feel like "Why should I wait? I need to finish this thing!" LOL.
Reading as a reader is very hard when you're a writer. At least it is for me.
Sounds like you're off to a good start, Saba. Editing is really hard for me too. I think reading like a reader is actually harder in some ways because, since you made up the story and envisioned the characters, everything is clear to you and it's easy to miss things that might not be clear to a reader!
Step one is the hardest for me also, but the most beneficial. Great tips and happy writing!
These are great tips! #1 though I have a hard time with. I know it's very important but my mind won't stop thinking about my #WIP.
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