Five Tips for Self-Editing

NaNo is over! Congratulations! Whether you completed your full first draft or you're still working on it, participating in NaNo is incredible.

Once you've got your first draft finished, it can be overwhelming to even think about edits. Don't worry! I've got you. The next step is to self-edit.

Self-editing is a bit more of a process than one step on its own though. Here are five tips for how to self-edit. 

1. Break it into steps.

As I mentioned above, self-editing is a process. Breaking it down into bite-sized pieces will help narrow your focus and prevent overwhelm.

Start with story-level edits and do multiple passes. Maybe your first pass will be to fill in plot holes. Your second could be to add description.

Once you're finished changing large chunks of plot and character, you can focus on the language edits.

2. Set yourself a deadline.

Write down the day you'd like to be done with your self-edits in a calendar. I don't know about you, but if I don't give myself a deadline, I'll edit forever.

If you've broken your tasks down, you'll have an idea of what a reasonable deadline is. Tell a family member or close friend what it is to help keep you accountable.

You can do it. I promise.

3. Take breaks between passes.

Don't forget to schedule yourself time to rest between passes. It's good for your brain. And for your novel.

Taking breaks allows you to come back to the story with fresh eyes. Give yourself a couple days to focus on something else.

Watch a new show or feed your creative brain with a new project!

4. Know that you won't be able to do everything yourself.

At some point, you're going to lose perspective. There's no getting around it. That's why even editors need editors!

Before you look into professionals, you should enlist the help of some volunteers. Beta readers and critique partners provide valuable insight. The arrangement is often reciprocal, which gives you an opportunity to share the love.

Read more about them here.

5. Celebrate your wins!

You and your novel have come such a long way. Take a moment to let it sink in that you've written a book and rewritten a book.

It's pretty amazing. You're pretty amazing.

Treat yourself to a fancy coffee.

You got this! And in the meantime, don’t forget to sign up to Write Now for writing tips delivered straight to your inbox every second Tuesday.