Forge - Self-Editing on a Penny: A Comprehensive Guide

Self -editing? Isnt that what an editor is for?

There are many reasons to self-edit.

Here is the first warning. No, you cannot self-edit and then publish right away. When its our own work, we dont have the ability to be critical and objective enough to edit perfectly.

That being said, we can self-edit and reduce professional editing costs. We can also self-edit and couple it with other methods in order to make the edit free .

Bottom line, your WIP (Work In Progress) is not officially a final draft until you self-edit. You will no doubt go through the manuscript multiple times. Pace yourself so that you dont burn out and grow tired of it.

Here is another very important factor with regards to editing: there are three major edits: a content edit, a line edit, a proofread. Skimp on one at your own peril.

Often times, the first edit (content edit) is overlookedauthors simply skip it. Line editors will not tell an author the story is bad. That is not their job. Their job is to make the sentences coherent . Equally, a proofreader will be even less likely to blow the whistle and say, Hey, this garbage needs a lot more work.

Basically, you might be strutting around unaware your zipper is open, proud as ever of your manuscriptnot realizing others are speechless for the wrong reasons.

Someone incredibly compassionate and friendly might pull you aside and tell you the truth. Most wont. Art is subjective and many people dont want to go out of their way to make you uncomfortable. They will do the specific job you requested and call it a day.

So please self-edit; please go slowly; and please dont cut corners if you can afford it.

- Lower the cost of editing: When you self-edit, you reduce an editors burden and therefore the editor might charge you much less. If a piece is especially awful, an editor might even refuse. By polishing that manuscript beforehand, you not only put an editor at ease, but you might essentially be getting a cheaper edit. Also, because there are many types of edits, a good self-edit might mean you dont have to invest money in each and every one, thus reducing your cost. Supplemented with a professional editor or otherwise, a proper self-edit can save you a lot of time and money, and help you hone your craft.

- Improve your writing: Self-editing is a great way to hone your skills. You learn something new each time you edit. The path is not easy, but with each new technique you learn, you become a stronger writer.

- Protect yourself: There are more than enough fake (and bad) editors out there. The more you know about grammar and the editing process, the easier it is for you to spot phonies and save yourself a world of suffering. Take it from me, because even now, two years later, Im still eating my hat.

- Write faster: Sometimes those of us who care about smooth writing and good prose know we arent writing as well as wed like. That leads to self-doubt. It also leads to getting stuck in areas where we should never have been in the first placewriting yourself into a corner, for example. A good grasp of grammar and the rules of creative-writing will make you far more confident while providing you with the knowledge to make that first draft shine. Oh, itll still stink (all drafts are bad), but itll certainly shine.