The Bones of Self-Editing

The Bones of Self-Editing

I gave a talk to a gathering of indie authors last month on self-editing. This is the basic handout, which writers may find useful as they develop their WIPs.

·       Learn the fundamental rules of style and grammar.

Style Guide: The Elements of Style – New Hart’s Rules – New Oxford Style Manual – The Chicago Manual of Style

·       Build a personal reference library – hone your writing skills through personal study.

·       Actively read novels, noting dialogue, description, punctuation, point of view, conflict, and character arc, etc. Take time to read outside your chosen genre.

·       Self-editing is more than correcting grammar and punctuation. The process should be slow and steady, taking one aspect of the whole at a time.

 

First Read

1.     Notebook and pen – jot down impressions

2.     The big picture – 3-act structure – Story/Plot – make sure it works

3.     Character arc\learning curve – change

4.     Are characters fully developed and consistent?   

Create a comprehensive character timeline.

 

Line-edit

                                               i.     Deep-focused comprehensive review

                                             ii.     Brutal honesty required

                                           iii.     RUE: Resist the Urge to Explain – Less is often More

                                            iv.     Pull sentences back to their bones, cutting unnecessary repetition, filter phrasing, redundant elements, negative patterns

                                             v.     Test adjectives and adverbs

                                            vi.     Are objectives being met?

                                          vii.     Each action/reaction needs to be justified

                                        viii.     Mark MC’s proactive points

                                            ix.     Considered rewriting kills first-draft issues

 

Activate Your Writing

·       Use active verbs to drive the story forward. Research dangling modifiers/participles – Test adjectives – can the noun stand alone? Have confidence in your writing and allow the power of context carry your story to the reader.

 

Dialogue

·       Get it right. Research the rules until you have them absorbed.

·       Cut unnecessary dialogue tags. Exploit action tags. Don’t use ‘said bookisms’.

 

Point-of-View

Become a pov expert. Learn the rules. Apply them. Practice makes perfect.

·       Tighten narrative distance by cutting unnecessary filter phrasing.

·       Be careful to catch tense blips, and look for consistency throughout.

 

Proofreading

·       The final job – Galley copy – Read it aloud – slow and meticulous.

 

Style Sheet – Create as you write – revise during rewrites.

·       Character details, place names, time – setting – continuity – particular spelling choices.

 

Idiot-Check – Leave nothing behind.