Editing your own work
How do I self-edit my manuscript effectively before sending it to an editor?
Projekt-Plan
Why: Fresh eyes are your most valuable editing tool. Immediate editing leads to 'word blindness' where you see what you meant to write, not what is actually on the page.
How:
- Close the file and do not open it.
- Work on a completely different project or read books in a different genre.
- Set a specific 'return date' in your calendar.
Done When: At least 14 days have passed since you finished the first draft.
Why: Your brain has memorized the layout of your screen. Changing the appearance forces it to process the text as new information.
How:
- Change the font to something drastically different (e.g., from Times New Roman to Courier Prime or a sans-serif font).
- Increase the font size or change the background color.
- Ideally, print the manuscript on paper to edit with a physical pen.
Done When: The manuscript looks visually unfamiliar to you.
Why: This reveals plot holes, pacing issues, and redundant chapters that you can't see while reading line-by-line.
How:
- Go through the manuscript and write one sentence summarizing the purpose of each chapter.
- Note which character has the 'POV' and what the 'inciting incident' of that chapter is.
- Identify chapters where nothing changes or moves the plot forward.
Done When: You have a 1-3 page summary of the entire book's structure.
Why: Readers lose interest if characters act inconsistently or lack clear goals.
How:
- Track the protagonist's 'Want' vs. 'Need' in every scene.
- Ensure the antagonist's actions are logical from their perspective.
- Check if secondary characters have distinct voices and aren't just 'talking heads'.
Done When: Every major character has a documented arc with a beginning, middle, and end.
Why: Pacing is killed by scenes that repeat information or don't raise the stakes.
How:
- Look for scenes that start too early (excessive 'waking up' or 'traveling' routines).
- Identify scenes that only serve to deliver 'info-dumps'.
- Apply the 'Enter late, leave early' rule to every scene.
Done When: The manuscript word count is tightened by removing non-essential scenes.
Why: Filter words create a barrier between the reader and the character's experience.
How:
- Search (Ctrl+F) for: 'felt', 'saw', 'heard', 'knew', 'realized', 'noticed', 'thought'.
- Replace 'He saw the bird fly' with 'The bird took flight'.
- Replace 'She felt the cold' with 'The wind bit into her skin'.
Done When: You have reviewed and removed at least 70% of unnecessary filter words.
Why: Showing allows readers to experience the story through action and senses rather than being told what to feel.
How:
- Identify abstract emotional descriptions (e.g., 'He was angry').
- Replace them with physical manifestations (e.g., 'He slammed his fist on the table' or 'His jaw tightened').
- Use the 'Five Senses' technique to ground the reader in the setting.
Done When: Key emotional beats are conveyed through action and sensory detail.
Why: Overused dialogue tags and adverbs distract from the actual conversation.
How:
- Replace 'fancy' tags (shouted, exclaimed, retorted) with 'said' or 'asked'.
- Delete adverbs in dialogue tags (e.g., change 'he said angrily' to 'he spat').
- Use 'action beats' (e.g., 'He looked away. "I can't do this."') to indicate who is speaking.
Done When: Dialogue flows naturally without intrusive tagging.
Why: Your ears will catch missing words, awkward phrasing, and repetitive rhythms that your eyes skip over.
How:
- Use the built-in 'Read Aloud' feature in your word processor or a free tool like 'NaturalReader'.
- Follow along with the text as it is read.
- Mark any spots where the 'voice' stumbles or sounds unnatural.
Done When: You have heard every word of the manuscript read aloud.
Why: To catch objective errors like double spaces, missing periods, or common typos.
How:
- Use a standard grammar checker (e.g., the built-in checker in LibreOffice or Google Docs).
- Review each suggestion manually; do not 'Accept All' as automated tools often miss nuance.
- Focus on consistent punctuation (e.g., Oxford commas, curly vs. straight quotes).
Done When: The manuscript is free of obvious technical typos.
Why: Editors expect a specific format to make the text readable and to estimate page counts accurately.
How:
- Font: 12pt Times New Roman.
- Spacing: Double-spaced.
- Margins: 1-inch on all sides.
- Indents: 0.5-inch for new paragraphs (use 'Paragraph' settings, not 'Tab').
- Header: Include your name, book title, and page number.
Done When: The document looks professional and adheres to industry standards.