Novel Editing 101

If you are a writer - you should also be a decent editor. 

This isn't to say you have to be the best editor, only decent enough that your novel is legible and understandable to others before seeking help from a professional. 

Editing is an essential part of the novel writing process. It's where you transform your rough manuscript into a polished work of art, ready to captivate readers. As an author, it's crucial to approach editing with a critical eye and attention to detail. 

Not sure where to start? Well read on and find out and grab a piece of paper to make yourself a checklist. 

I hope you like your story - you're about to read it more times than you might have ever thought you could read a single book. 

Take a Break:

Before diving into the editing process, take a break from your manuscript.

A week - a month - the time amount is up to you, but make it long enough that when you come back to it that's it's with almost fresh eyes ready to catch those there and theirs. 

When I finish my first draft and run it through the basic spell checker - I then print it out and shove it in a draw for a while while I move on to the next project and forget all about the first. 

Review the Big Picture

Start your editing journey by reviewing the big-picture elements of your novel. Examine the overall structure, plot, and character arcs. Ensure that the story flows logically, the plot is engaging, and the characters are well-developed. You need to address any major issues before delving into the finer details, nobody will notice those spelling errors if your story doesn't make any sense from page one. 

Focus on Character Development

Characters are the heart and soul of your novel. {If you want a whole novel anatomy lesson you can find my article here.} Evaluate each character's journey, motivations, and conflicts. Ensure their actions and dialogue align with their personalities and goals. Make them relatable and multidimensional, capturing the readers' attention and emotions.

Give your reader characters they can connect and grow with as your story moves on. It's the characters that stick with the reader long after they turn that final page.  

Strengthen the Plot

Yes, you've already fixed the major plot holes in your story, but now's the time to reinforce those holes and make them even strong enough that no one can fall through them again. 

A compelling plot keeps readers engaged from beginning to end. Evaluate the pacing, plot twists, and conflicts within your story. Eliminate any plot holes or inconsistencies. Add tension and suspense where needed to keep readers eagerly turning the pages.

Enhance Dialogue

Dialogue breathes life into your characters and advances the story.

I've never read a story without any unless it was nonfiction and even they have quotes - which I'm counting as one-sided dialogue. 

Review your dialogue for authenticity, ensuring each character has a distinct voice. Make it engaging, realistic, and purposeful. Remove any unnecessary or repetitive dialogue that doesn't serve the plot or character development.

Improve Pacing and Structure

Don't run away from the word structure you panstsers, you're story has already been written if you're at the point of editing. 

Evaluate your novel's pacing to maintain a balance between action, tension, and quieter moments. Consider the overall structure and chapter transitions. Trim or expand scenes as necessary to create a harmonious flow that keeps readers engrossed. 

This is also where you can move around scenes if it would make sense for Jack to find out the harp is locked in the box before he tries to steal the key from the giant.  

Watch for Repetition

Save the Jinkies every other sentence for Velma, please. Repetition can hinder the reading experience. Look out for repetitive phrases, words, or actions within your manuscript. Replace them with fresh and varied alternatives to maintain reader interest. She can only brush her hair out of her face so many times before even your reader thinks she needs to either cut it off or find a hair tie. 

Cut Unnecessary Details

While details are essential, too many can bog down the narrative.

We all know the characters probably went to the bathroom at some point, but it really doesn't need to be included in every chapter. 

 Trim excessive descriptions or irrelevant information that doesn't contribute to the story. Allow readers to use their imagination while providing enough context for them to visualize the world you've created.

Check for Consistency

Consistency is vital in storytelling. Review your manuscript for continuity, ensuring that details such as character traits, timelines, and settings remain consistent throughout. Keep a story log or notes to track these details and avoid discrepancies. This is where you make sure your characters who are afraid of heights aren't suddenly the ones ready to climb to the top of the building's fire escape. 

Polish Your Prose

While important grammar checking comes late on this list because it's the easiest to fix, pay attention to the technical aspects of your writing. Edit for grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and word choice. Ensure clarity and precision in your prose, creating a smooth reading experience for your audience. 

This is best done when all the other aspects of your story have been fixed and you're looking it over line by line - seriously print it out and use a blank page to cover it and move through the story line by line and catch things you may not in your many previous reread because you were looking at the overall picture. 

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If you're like me editing a novel may take you longer than actually writing it, but editing is where the true magic of writing comes to life. That first draft is where you have only just word-vomited your alphabet soup onto the page to get it out of you. Editing is where you rearrange all those letters to tell a story. 

Yes, I could have made a better analogy than that, but if you've been around my blog long enough you know that I could have also said worse. 

Now get back to your story. 

With love, 

B. King xo xo xo

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