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How do you edit your work?

Do you edit as you complete each passage of text, or on the completion of each chapter or section of your novel?

I prefer to edit as I go. It would gnaw at my mind to leave my work unedited. However, I am aware that on the completion of my manuscript, there will be numerous edits.

I use an editng plan. I check certain aspects on each edit, I may decide to check all the dialogue, and make the necessary improvements. As I SPEAK through passages of text, I will check the grammar and look for clunky sentences.

On subsequent edits I will check my topic sentences, sign-posting and the lengths of my paragraphs.

I will check my plot, storyline and ensure that my characters stay in character, unless there is good reason for them to stray.

I will reserve one edit to Landmark my novel.

I hope I did not fail to mention anything.

After I have thoroughly edited my novel, I will keep repeating the process until my editor and I are satisfied with my manuscript.

Asked by: Adrian Sroka

Jonathan Hopkins on August 1, 2012

I rarely edit as I go along unless I'm stuck somewhere and need to re-read that chapter to get back on track. Then I might do some.

I think the first re-write brings fresh enough eyes because by that time months (or years!) will have elapsed since I began. If I tried to edit every chapter as it was finished (i) I'd still probably miss important links and (ii) I'd never finish the book!

And I can't compartmentalise - EVERYTHING gets edited at once. Otherwise something important'll get missed. Which something will, even after that final, gloriously horrid Line Edit.

Because s*d's law always applies ;)
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Antoinette Adams on August 1, 2012

I write the first draft down on paper, then when I type it up and make edits where I feel there needs to be edits, then when I've typed the whole thing again, I will go back over each chapter a few times to make more edits and make sure I've filled any plot holes I can find.
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Louise Hughes on August 1, 2012

I don't really edit much. The little I do edit usually takes places as I write, and then I read through a make a few odd changes to spelling and grammar. If its bad enough to require heavy edited, its just easier to scrap the lot and start again.
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Anthony Scott Glenn on August 1, 2012

After I finished my first draft, I did an immediate first pass through to correct any grammar, tenses and any obvious typos.

Since then however, I have redrafted sections where there was not enough information, or in some cases too much.

I am about half way through the second draft, this time focusing on plot, character development and general flow.

I do make small edits as I go, especially as I have written extracts from the story in note form on my phone to piece together.

Long way to go...
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Gilly Ansell on August 2, 2012

I'm a bit like Jonathan in that I rarely edit as I write the book. I tend to write, and will go back and add bits I think might enhance the story, but wait until I've finished the whole story. I then reread and correct and edit as I go. I have 2 good friends who will also read it for me and critique honestly (not sparing my feelings, which is good) and then I will edit some more.
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