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.
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...
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.
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 ;)