Writers are all too aware that editing fiction is like pulling teeth. It’s time-consuming, occasionally tedious, and worst of all, it's likely the resulting work will never be the perfect expression of the original idea.
This is not to say that perfection shouldn’t be strived for. That’s what makes editing worthwhile: transforming sloppy, overindulgent writing into tight, tidy prose. Here are some techniques to bring out the writing's best qualities:
Begin With the Basics
It is absolutely essential that typos are spotted and fixed as early as possible. In this computer age it is very easy to ignore missing and misused words, as the mind tends to facilitate language flow by filling the gaps or repairing the mistakes. Though some people find it easier to edit the computer document itself, simply printing the piece and going over it with a pen is an excellent way to catch out those little bits and pieces that shouldn’t be there. However, do remember that this method will cost in printer ink and paper; computer editing, though less efficient, is more economical.
Avoid Overwriting
Getting lost in the joy of writing often causes over-description. It might be the most beautiful sentence ever written but if it’s preceded by another expressing the same idea with greater clarity, cut it from the draft. Put it aside in another document if total deletion seems unbearable – there may yet be a place for it in another section of the narrative, or in another piece altogether. Don’t be too ruthless; it can result in cutting too much and destroying the sense of the story. Instead, look at the work calmly and decide what really needs to be there. The point of editing is to make the writing intriguing for the audience, and it can't be that if the reader is being distracted by flowery descriptions which add nothing to the story.
How Does it Sound?
Verbalising the work varies in importance, depending on the writer. For some perfect language flow is the aim of the game, and for others it is the vibrancy of the narrative. Nonetheless, speaking sentences aloud can be the key to getting it right. Say the words slowly, think about the way they sound together, and if the sense of the sentence or section is clear.
Get a Second Opinion
It is incredibly easy to get too close to the narrative; the previous points will aid the editing process, but some flaws in the work that will go undetected without someone else’s honest opinion. Find another writer if possible; regardless of stylistic conflicts, they will have a strong understanding of the mechanics of writing . Use someone trustworthy who won't sugar-coat the facts: as confronting as it might be to discover problems in the work, it's better to have a bruised ego than allow the issue to go unsolved.
Edit, Edit, and Edit Again
Don’t just edit the draft once. How much editing is necessary varies with the size of piece. A thousand words may only need two rounds of editing, ten thousand three or four, and even more than that for a full-sized novel. The only way to gauge when the piece has been edited enough is when there is substantially less to fix. In other words, keep editing until it's as close to perfect as it will go. Perseverance will be rewarded with an excellent piece of writing.
