Hey there, wonderful wordsmiths! Today, we’re tackling that grumble-inducing, yet utterly indispensable part of our writing journey—basic editing! I know, I know, editing can feel like a chore, but think of it as the unsung hero that polishes your prose until it sparkles. And don’t worry, I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve to make this process as painless as possible. Let’s break it down into simple, manageable steps that will transform that daunting task into a series of victories.

Are you in the Mood?
Have you ever noticed that editing requires its own special mood? Some days, I’m bursting with creative energy, ideas and words just spilling out—that’s my time for writing and expanding scenes. But then there are those other days, you know the ones—when I’m tearing through the house in a spring cleaning frenzy. That’s my cue to dive into editing. Editing isn’t just about diligence; it requires a critical, even slightly crabby mindset. That irritability can actually help you catch those pesky repetitions and typos. Feeling a bit grouchy? Perfect, it’s editing time. Whether I’m mad at the world or just grappling with PMS, I channel that energy into making my manuscript better.

Why Edit?
Why bother with editing? Because before your story can truly dazzle, you need to strip away anything that might snag your reader’s attention—the unnecessary fluff, the clumsy phrases, the glaring typos. Editing is all about respecting your own narrative enough to present it in the sharpest, clearest form possible. Every sentence should be polished until it gleams, ensuring that your readers can focus solely on the brilliance of your ideas. Remember, your story deserves to be seen in its best light, and that means meticulous editing.

MY STEPS TO BASIC EDITING

1. First Things First: Your Own Read-Throughs
Start with the basics: read your draft yourself, not once, but twice. This is your chance to get reacquainted with what you’ve written, smooth out the rough patches, and start seeing where things might need a nip here or a tuck there.

2. Listen Up: The Read Aloud Feature
Next, harness the power of technology with the ‘Read Aloud’ feature in Word or a similar tool. Hearing your words can highlight awkward phrasing and unintended repetition that your eyes might have missed. It’s like having a beta reader in your computer!

3. Old-School Style: Print and Pen
Then, print out your draft and step away from the digital world. Grab a pen and read your paper copy in a new environment—maybe your favorite coffee shop or under a tree in the park. This change of scenery can give you a fresh perspective and help you focus on the text itself.

4. Use Those Online Tools: Spellcheck and Grammar Apps
Once you’ve tightened up your draft, let’s check out the digital assistants that can save you time and headaches.

How To Indicate the Status of Your Editing Progress
There are so many steps to writing and editing, and as writers we weave in and out of our story drafts up and back, it can be hard to keep track of it all. So, I use symbols next to each scene title to indicate where I am with that scene in my writing and editing process.

* = scene not complete, needs more writing
+ = scene completely written
r = each time I do a visual read of my scene
a = when I have used a read aloud feature to listen to the scene
p = when I have used a tool to proof the scene for spelling, punctuation, capitalization, tense

I put these symbols before each and every scene and it could look like this. It makes it easier to view on the Navigation Panel on word which scenes still need to be written, edited, proofed, read, listened to, etc. Different days I may be in different moods. One day I may be in a creative mood to write scenes and expand on them. Another day, I may be in a heads down critical editor mood. Other days, I want to sit back and listen to the story and see how it sounds.

Example of using symbols for writing and editing:
+rrap SCENE: Name of Scene

Using Online Editing Tools
When it comes to polishing your manuscript, don’t overlook the power of editing tools. They’re indispensable for catching the basics: spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. But there’s more—they can also ensure consistency in your narrative voice. Whether you’re aiming for present tense, past tense, first person, or third person, it’s easy to accidentally switch styles. Editing tools help maintain the integrity of your intended voice, catching those slips that could otherwise go unnoticed. You might be surprised how often your narrative might veer off course without them!

EDITING TOOLS

Microsoft Word:
Microsoft Word is primarily useful for catching spelling errors. However, I find it inadequate for grammar suggestions and would not recommend relying on it for more complex editing needs. It is part of the standard Office subscription, which means no additional costs are incurred for basic usage.
URL: https://office.com

ProWritingAid:
ProWritingAid provides features that check grammar, style, and clichés. It offers a free version for basic checks, and a more comprehensive suite is available for a fee. While it is popular among some writers, the effectiveness can vary depending on your specific needs.
URL: https://prowritingaid.com

Grammarly:
Grammarly helps with grammar and punctuation and provides suggestions for style and clarity. It offers a free basic version, with a premium service available that includes advanced features. As with any tool, its usefulness may depend on the type of editing you require.
URL: https://grammarly.com

ChatGPT:
After trying out ChatGPT as my editor, I have been thoroughly impressed and no longer pay for other editing tool subscriptions. ChatGPT has proven to be highly effective for basic editing tasks, adept at spotting inconsistencies and offering precise feedback. The basic version is free, making it an excellent starting point for any writer looking to refine their work.
URL: https://chat.openai.com

I have used AI since the very beginning and use on a daily basis for many reasons. Over the course of hundreds of pages and hundreds of thousands of words, it has become my go-to for editing my scenes. As of right now, it prefers to edit text in smaller chunks, like 2000 words or less at a time.

Note: I know ChatGPT is incredibly controversial in the writing world. I am not talking about having ChatGPT to write for you. I am talking about using AI to edit your work.

BTW, ProWritingAid and Grammarly are now using AI for their editing.

Paid Editing by a Professional Person:
While there are many people out there that are professional editors who can thoroughly review your manuscript. However, considering the power of these free or low-cost tools for basic editing; they are a wise first step. This approach allows you to reserve your budget for when a professional human touch is truly needed, ensuring that the foundational aspects of your text are polished: how the story reads, how does it flow, can you follow the plot, are the characters and story engaging, etc.

Editing: Get It Done
So, there you have it; some tips and tools to make basic editing less of a chore and more of a powerful step toward perfecting your manuscript. By tackling basic editing yourself with these steps and tools, you ensure that your narrative is clean and clear. This frees up your future editors—or even your future self—to focus on the finer points of storytelling and character development.

Remember, every great story deserves a great presentation, and it all starts with solid editing. Keep your eyes peeled for our next posts, where we’ll delve deeper into the realms of developmental editing, discuss the use of alpha and beta readers, and explore who to send advance reader copies to and more.

Happy Editing or Mad Editing! Just get it done!