SUBURBAN SYNTAX

Writing a novel is only the first step in the arduous journey of bringing your story to life. The next crucial phase is self-editing, a process that polishes your manuscript into a refined gem ready for publication. (Mostly) dead is the advice “don’t edit your own book”, as most small publishers, and even freelance editors, expect you’ll have at least given your manuscript a pass or two or edits before you begin showing it around.

Self-editing is both an art and a science, requiring a keen eye for detail, a firm grasp of storytelling principles, and the willingness to ruthlessly revise your work. Fortunately, there are numerous resources available to help navigate this challenging task. Here are my top five resources for self-editing a novel:

1. The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White: Often hailed as the writer’s bible, “The Elements of Style” is a timeless guide to clear and concise writing. I’ve praised it before on this blog, and here I am doing it again. This slim volume covers everything from grammar rules to principles of composition, offering invaluable advice for refining your prose. Whether you’re struggling with punctuation, word choice, or sentence structure, you’ll find practical tips and examples to elevate your writing to the next level. “The Elements of Style” is essential reading for any writer serious about honing their craft.
2. Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King: “Self-Editing for Fiction Writers” is a comprehensive guide specifically tailored to the needs of novelists. Drawing on their extensive experience as editors, Browne and King provide practical techniques for identifying and fixing common writing pitfalls. From dialogue tags to show vs. tell, they offer clear explanations and hands-on exercises to help writers sharpen their skills. It holds an essential place in the reference section of my shelf, right next to “Elements”. Whether you’re a seasoned author or a novice writer, this book will help you polish your manuscript until it shines.
3. The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi: Effective storytelling hinges on the ability to evoke emotion in your readers. “The Emotion Thesaurus” is a valuable resource for writers seeking to deepen the emotional impact of their writing. Organized by emotion, this reference book provides a wealth of descriptive phrases and body language cues to convey feelings authentically. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve agonized over how many times a character smirks or scowls across the course of a story. It can feel daunting when that fear of repetition takes hold, and this book really helps alleviate that. Whether your characters are experiencing joy, fear, or anger, you’ll find a treasure trove of tools to bring their emotions to life on the page.
4. Grammarly: In the digital age, technology has revolutionized the way we write and edit. Grammarly is a powerful writing assistant that goes beyond basic spell-checking to offer comprehensive grammar and style suggestions. Whether you’re writing in a word processor or composing an email, Grammarly provides real-time feedback to help you improve your writing. Its intuitive interface and customizable settings make it an indispensable tool for writers looking to elevate their prose to professional standards. I know there have been a lot of heated conversations about AI in writing lately. I believe Grammarly is an effective tool that mostly sidesteps those arguments as it is almost purely focused on language mechanics, rather than developing narrative.
5. Beta Readers and Critique Partners: While self-editing is essential, and technically this isn’t that, every writer can benefit from fresh eyes on their work. Beta readers and critique partners offer invaluable feedback that can help you identify blind spots and areas for improvement. Whether you join a writers’ group, seek out online communities, or enlist friends and family, finding trusted readers who are willing to provide honest feedback is crucial to the self-editing process. Their insights can help you identify plot holes, inconsistencies, and pacing issues that may have eluded you during the initial writing process.

In conclusion, self-editing is a critical step in the journey from manuscript to published masterpiece. By harnessing these resources, you can refine your novel until it shines with literary brilliance. Whether you’re fine-tuning your prose, delving into the depths of character emotion, or seeking feedback from fellow writers, these resources offer the guidance and support you need to craft a novel that will captivate readers and stand the test of time. Or at the very least, save you time and money if you should choose to hire an editor.

What resources have helped you in the process of editing your own stories? Please share them in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!