Ask
any writer and they will tell you that they will
forever find something to change in their writing.
You reach a point where you just have to send it on and
cross your fingers, otherwise you will
forever be rewriting the same piece.
Some might call it
editing; others call it rewriting and
fussing.
It is
important for a writer to be able to edit their own writing even if they have an editor. Having some editing
skills in your toolbelt might be the best way to save yourself from
endless rewriting.
Don't move, because media update's Alrika Möller provides some tips and tricks for editing your own writing below.
Create a checklist
Most writers are not editors by trade, so it helps to create a
checklist of what you want to look for. Every writer has
the thing they want to look for or address. Whether it is something that comes up in most of the
feedback you receive, or a writing
pet peeve you want to avoid, adding it to
your list can remind you to keep an eye out.
If you are a more
creative writer, you can sometimes fall into the trap of focusing on the
creativity of it all and forget that grammar and spelling exist.
It's okay — we have all been there, which is why you add spelling and grammar to the
checklist.
Decide on the voice
No matter what kind of writing you are doing —
academic or creative — your writing will have
a voice.
We can sometimes find ourselves
jumping from one voice to another within
the same piece. You start writing in one voice, and halfway through or after your
coffee break it sounds like a whole other person. This is why we decide on an overall voice.
While deciding on one
before you even start writing sounds like a
good idea, we all know how things can
change as you go. This is why we commit to an overall voice when
editing. If you need a little reminder, it can help to
write it down.
Fresh eyes can help
Nothing can
complicate an editing process more than editing
the moment you finish writing. Your mind is not clear, and some of the words and images are
still floating around in there, clouding clear judgement.
Take the time to
clear your mind so that you don't read every word, knowing exactly
what will come next. That is about the least objective thing you can possibly do.
Take a walk or go get a coffee. Start writing something else
entirely, or put the project on
pause until the next morning. You can do whatever you need to do to
start anew and look at it with
fresh eyes and a clear, hopefully,
objective mind.
Take it line by line
We get that your piece is
all about the big picture and how it all works
as a whole; but when editing, that way of thinking is
not always the best. The person reading it at the end
probably won't have the big picture. They will read it
line by line, which is
ultimately how you should edit.
Working line by line is also a
great way to find those
pesky grammar errors or spelling mistakes. Editing your work is
not about changing what you are saying but rather making sure that it
reads easily and correctly.
Be open to digital tools
Many,
many writers can be
a bit sceptical when it comes to
digital and AI tools, but the truth is that you have
nothing to be scared of. As long as you use it in
the right way, you don't have to worry about a programme
taking your job or changing your content.
There are a great number of
tools that can help you edit — whether it is a programme that will look for spelling and grammar mistakes so that you don't have to or just using a tool to
simplify a 100-word sentence.
Programmes such as
Grammarly,
Wordtune and so many others are all about
fine-tuning and helping. So take a chance and give digital tools
a try.
Editing becomes extra difficult when you are editing your own work. Do you agree? Let us know in the comment section below.
*Image courtesy of Canva