Write a Book: Editing -- How to Edit Your Book Yourself



Posted: Monday, May 24, 2010

by Angela Booth
Fab Freelance Writing

All books, whether fiction or nonfiction, for print or digital delivery, need editing. If you reali
ze this before you start to write your book you can relax during the writing process, because you know that you'll fix problems in a later draft. Although you can hire an editor -- if you're submitting to a major publishing house an editor can be very useful -- you should do the editing on the first and second drafts yourself. This is because you know your book. You know what you want to say, so hiring an editor before your book is ready can cause damage -- there's every chance that you'll lose your vision for your book. So, let's assume you've written a first draft, and are ready to edit. 1. Create an Outline from What You've Written Your first step is to read through your book, and create an outline from what you've actually written. Create the outline in another document, and print it out. If you see gaps in the structure where you need material, mark these areas on the draft. 2. Use Index Cards to Rearrange the Structure of Your Book It's a rare book which doesn't need major structural changes. Get a stack of index cards, and if you're writing fiction, write a sentence for each scene on a card. Lay the cards out on a large table, or on the floor, and move scenes around. 3. For Fiction: Is There Suspense? Rearranging your scenes is essential if you're writing a novel. You don't want to reveal too much too soon. Your book should keep up suspense until the final page. 4. For Nonfiction: Do You Deliver on Your Promises? If you're writing nonfiction, decide whether you deliver on the promises you made in the title, and in your book proposal. This is easy to miss, believe it or not. 5. Cut Away the Undergrowth Now you've got the structure of the book the way you want it, it's time to take a machete to the undergrowth. This can be hard, but steel yourself. If you're writing fiction, eliminate characters who aren't necessary. If you're writing nonfiction, cut everything which doesn't contribute to what you want the book to deliver to readers. 6. Rewrite All done? Great. Now rewrite, tightening as you go. Once you've done the rewrite, you've completed your second draft, and your book is close to ready to send out. Did you enjoy these tips? Get more. Turn writing your book into a fun adventure with Angela Booth's free report, "Write a Book: Powerful Writing Tips to Help You to Write YOUR Book". You'll receive the benefit of her 30 years of experience, with tips you can use today, whether you're writing fiction or nonfiction.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Sawyer Adams
from Florida 1 year 337 days ago.
If the book does go through an editor be sure to read the final copy.  
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