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C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

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Self-Editing Tips and Hat’s Off to Angela Brown

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Self-editing Tips

I’ve read a lot of articles on the editing process. They have a lot in common, but each writer has his or her own system. Here’s mine. I usually work from the big picture (things like character consistency) down to the details (punctuation). I have a checklist, and this really helps me to focus on specific parts of my manuscript, one step at a time. 
I’m not an “organized” writer, but I am an organized editor. I try. 
Here’s my checklist:
Plot: engaging, complex enough, hits the ground running, starts in right place, keeps moving forward, logical, no coincidence that should not be there.
Character: MC clearly established at the beginning, MC wants or needs something immediately, markers for characters clear and consistent, not one-dimensional has good and bad qualities, makes reader care, motivations clear and right for the story
Setting: appropriate for the story, described sufficiently, but not too much 
Dialogue: advances the story, appropriate for the characters, increases conflict, always clear who’s talking
Scenes: there are various kinds of scenes, all further the plot or reveal more about characters  or build tension
Point of View: Consistent, the right choice for telling this story 
Pacing: Any scenes that drag and might need to be deleted, places dialogue could be changed to increase pace, heighten tension
Tone: Consistent for story, consistent with each character
Conflict: Sufficient to keep story interesting, does it increase throughout the story until the climax
Balance: Description, dialogue, narration, scenes and chapters. 
I don’t worry about getting everything during each editing session. Sometimes I make a note to go back to something later, then move on with the editing part I’m focused on during that session. 
Sometimes I stop and do that edit, even though I’m focusing on another aspect of the story. In other words, I’m flexible about moving around the story to fix things that come up while I’m in the process.

Suggestions

Stock up on survival supplies. Mine include nuts and water. No wine. I sometimes write with wine, but I never edit with it. 
Try for an uninterrupted time. I find that the more I can stick with the story during editing, the better I am at catching problems.
Don’t feel that you’re the only writer who has wanted to throw out their book at this point, but don’t do that. Take a break, then come back to the job when you’re a bit calmer.

Be prepared for several sessions with that manuscript. You’re going to have to edit it a few times. Be thankful when you’re down to those details of punctuation, grammar, word choice, and repeated or words or phrases. That means you’re almost finished. Relax.

Hat’s Off Corner

For seventeen-year-old Macie Breen, life in The Colony is a daily norm of being the odd girl out, that is, until everyday predictable slams to a screeching halt. Forced to the capital city of Bliss, Macie’s life becomes a horrific unraveling as she confronts daunting truths about The Colony as well as who, or what, she really is. 











Buy links: Evernight | Amazon
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6476148.Angela_Brown
Angela Brown in the Pursuit of Publishness blog: http://publishness.blogspot.com/
Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Angela-Brown/e/B009JJEX60
Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaLBrownWrites
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ALBrownwrites

Comments

  4. I like to get through editing uninterrupted too. It helps. I go through it in swipes/passes. It's impossible to see everything at once. Ugh, I hate the 'I hate this story/it sucks' phase.

  10. Hey Lee,

    Wow, a fascinating insight to your editing process. I had no idea there was such things as editing. I just write whatever and that's it. Okay, I do have a certain dog constantly telling me to change a word here and there and whatever.

    Yay to Angela, one of my adoring fans, don't cha know!

    Your ongoing starstruckest fan and all round terrific dude,

    Gary!

  11. I always love learning about other writer's editing process. Great checklist and I think it is important to be flexible during the process. You never know what might catch your eye or what you won't feel like doing right then. Thanks for sharing!

    Best of luck to Angela!
    ~Jess

  12. Hi Lee, thanks for the follow, am following you back. You have shared some amazing editing tips, this post is perfect for me as I am currently editing one of my manuscripts.

    Congrats to Angela.

  14. Congrats, Angela!

    Hi, Lee,

    Terrific tips. I try to do all of the above in my editing process. And yes, multiple edits are necessary….

    Hope all is well with you, Lee!

  15. Great tips on how to plot the book you wish to write and how often you will be editing. I don't think wine would be a good thing:)

  17. Excellent editing tips. I always do a lot of passes through a manuscript looking at different things each time. Otherwise I tend to get scattered. And yay for Angela! 🙂

  18. I admire your organization, Lee. I try to think about tools such as characterization, pacing, grammar, etc. separately when I'm editing but sometimes, I can't help myself and jump around. Grammar has always been a pet peeve of mine so even if I am trying to concentrate on a scene, I will go over and over and over it again until my grammar is correct.
    Congratulations, Angela!

  24. Congrats to Angela!

    Excellent tips (especially the no wine). I use a checklist too, though mine is more elementary- like "just" search; chapter plot break down; and such.

  29. Thanks for the editing tips. I tend to go through multiple editing sessions (partly due to OCD I think) but I try hard to make the final product something I can be proud of.

    Thanks as well for the mention in the Hat's Off Corner 🙂

  31. Great tips! I agree, writing with alcohol can sometimes create some interesting ideas, but editing under the influence probably isn't a good idea…