Edits, edits, edits…

Me getting back to the book!

Turns out that editing isn’t just correcting the spelling and using the delete key liberally. Learning to write better involves learning to properly edit, which involves digging through the detritus of the manuscript and discovering the story within. Right about now, I’m realizing that my smooth shiny manuscript might need me to do some serious rethinking. And the way my editor has suggested to do this is for me to do a little outlining. It seems late to be outlining an already finished and accepted-to-be-published novel, but it’s actually the perfect time for a writer like me to triple check spots in the structure that need work. This is when I push the manuscript from good enough to (hopefully!) as good as it can be. Excellent, even. Wish me luck!

When you edit, what steps do you take? Perhaps try my editor’s tip and outline the story – even if you think it’s finished. Use the outlining process to notice where the story could be improved.