Steps to Self-Edit like a Pro

Finishing your manuscript is a huge accomplishment, but before you hit “send” to an agent, publisher, or editor, there’s an essential step you need to tackle: self-editing. While professional editing is invaluable (take it from us!), giving your manuscript a thorough self-edit can elevate your work and save time (and money) in the editing process. It can even give you that confidence boost required by some to take the leap and send it on for professional editing! Here’s how to self-edit your manuscript like a pro:

Take a Break Before Editing 🛌

If we've said it once, we've said it a million times: the best way to approach your manuscript with fresh eyes is to step away from it for a while. Letting it sit for a few days - or even weeks - helps you gain objectivity and identify areas that need improvement.

Why It Works:

• Distance helps you see your work as a reader, not just the writer.

• You’ll notice inconsistencies or weak points more easily.

During your break, read books in your genre to spark ideas and insights for your own work.

Start with Big-Picture Edits 🗺️

Begin by focusing on the overall structure of your story rather than getting bogged down in small details. This aligns with the usual editing process of starting with developmental stages before delving into line editing. Look at the big picture to ensure your manuscript flows smoothly and makes sense (but don't be too critical - you don't want to wind up with a rewrite on your hands!).

Questions to Ask:

• Does the plot have a clear beginning, middle, and end?

• Are the stakes high enough to keep readers engaged?

• Are the characters’ motivations and arcs believable?

• Is the pacing consistent throughout?

• Is there a clear driver in my story, pushing the narrative forward and keeping my readers hooked?

Try creating a chapter-by-chapter outline to evaluate the story’s structure and identify any weak spots. You may also like to compare this with a beat chart in your genre.

Cut the Fluff ✂️

Every word in your manuscript should serve a purpose. Look for unnecessary scenes, redundant descriptions, or filler words that don’t add value. Perhaps challenge yourself to trim at least 10% of your manuscript - it’s amazing how tightening your prose can improve clarity and pacing!

What to Look For:

• Repeated ideas or phrases.

• Scenes that don’t advance the plot or develop characters.

• Overused adverbs (eg. “she walked quickly”) to replace with stronger verbs (eg. "she hurried”).

Focus on Character Development 🎭

Your characters are the heart of your story, so it's beyond worthwhile taking steps to ensure they are fully developed, consistent, and compelling.

Questions to Consider:

• Do your characters have clear goals and motivations?

• Are their actions and dialogue consistent with their personalities?

• Do they evolve throughout the story?

Tip: Give each character a unique voice. Read their dialogue aloud to ensure it sounds distinct and realistic, and check out our other posts to learn how to create believable characters and build worlds that feels as real as our own!

Polish Your Prose ✍️

Once you’ve addressed the bigger issues, it’s time to refine your writing at the sentence level: this step is all about improving readability, flow, and style.

Tips for Polishing Prose:

• Vary sentence length and structure to keep readers engaged.

• Replace clichés with fresh, original language.

• Eliminate passive voice where possible (e.g., “The ball was thrown by John” → “John threw the ball”).

Hearing your words can highlight awkward phrasing or clunky sentences, so try reading your work aloud or using text-to-speech software.

Check for Consistency and Accuracy 📚

Consistency is key to immersing readers in your story, while inconsistencies can draw readers out of a tale. Ensure that details - big and small - align throughout the manuscript.

What to Check:

• Character names, ages, and physical traits.

• Timeline and events—make sure they don’t contradict each other.

• World-building rules (for fantasy or sci-fi).

• Factual accuracy for real-world settings or topics.

Consider keeping a style sheet or notes that document to track these details as you write and edit. Some writers create spreadsheets to keep track of their characters, which we love the idea of!

Pay Attention to Dialogue 💬

Dialogue is a powerful tool for characterisation and moving the plot forward, but it can easily fall flat if it’s unrealistic or overly expositional.

Tips for Editing Dialogue:

• Make it sound natural by reading it aloud.

• Avoid info-dumping or using dialogue as a crutch for backstory.

• Ensure every line has a purpose, whether it’s revealing character, advancing the plot, or building tension.

Check out our post on 'writing convincing dialogue' for more advice on this!

Proofread for Grammar and Spelling 📝

Once you’re satisfied with your story and prose, focus on surface-level errors like typos, grammar mistakes, and formatting issues, before sending it off to a professional to polish.

Tips for Proofreading:

• Use tools like Grammarly or ProWritingAid to catch common errors - but don't rely too heavily on these... Use your own critical eye and do the research if something doesn't look right!

• Print your manuscript or change the font to catch mistakes you might overlook on screen.

• Read your manuscript backward (sentence by sentence) to focus solely on spelling and grammar.

Get Feedback 🗣️

After you’ve polished your manuscript to the best of your ability, it’s time to share it with trusted beta readers, critique partners, or a writing group: they can provide fresh perspectives and identify areas you might have missed.

What to Ask for Feedback On:

• Does the story hold their interest?

• Are the characters relatable and compelling?

• Are there any confusing or inconsistent sections?

Choose beta readers who are familiar with your genre for the most relevant feedback, and check out our other post on alpha- and beta-readers for an in-depth breakdown of how and where to find them, and of how to frame their thinking around feedback!

Know When to Stop Editing 🚦

It’s tempting to keep tinkering endlessly, but at some point, you need to let go... Including of any perfectionist tendencies! If you’ve addressed the big issues, polished your prose, and incorporated feedback, it’s time to move forward - whether that means submitting to agents, publishers, or hiring a professional editor.

Set a deadline for when you’ll stop self-editing to keep you from over-analysing and which will encourage you to take the next step. Every author has had to take this step before you - you'll need to follow in their footsteps eventually!

Final Thoughts

Self-editing is a crucial step in the writing process, but it doesn’t have to be daunting. By tackling your manuscript in stages - big-picture edits, line-level refinements, and final proofreading - you can transform your draft into a polished, professional piece. Always keep in mind that no manuscript is perfect, but every round of edits brings you closer to your best work. Trust the process! ✍️✨