I finished editing the first 30 pages or so of the book last night. whew. Let me tell you, editing isn’t as much fun as writing. However it is satisfying to know these 30 pages of the novel are so much better than they were before.
I tired a new editing trick I learned about on Twitter from another writer. I recorded myself reading the first two chapters then played them back. Anything I stumbled on or didn’t sound right I changed. It really helped catch awkward phrases.
There are free programs you can get online that will read back to you. I downloaded Natural Reader and will use that to read chapters as well, however you lose the natural inflection you get when you read it yourself.
So what editing tricks do you have?
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November 10, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Erin
I can only edit off paper, but I usually print it off three to ten pages at a time, and go through like a school teacher with a red pen. Circling spelling and grammar errors, and crossing things out and adding things in, then I have to retype it all back into the computer. I always keep a few spare sheets of paper on me in case I need to add in a long passage. It’s actually a pain and I don’t advise it, but I can’t edit well off the screen.
November 10, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Rissa Watkins
Actually, I do this for short stories I write because I do catch more mistakes looking at paper than I do on the computer.
Might try this when I think all edits are finished with the book. Good idea.
November 10, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Teri Smieja
I reread what I’ve written repeatedly. I think that’s a great tip about reading it out loud – I write it, read it, read it out loud, rewrite it, read it, read it out. Lather, rinse repeat.
Teri