Self-editing is hard. Trust me. As an editor, I know my most difficult work is when I’m turning an analytical eye back on my own words. So, I thought I’d share a few tips and tricks I’ve developed over the years to give myself my best chance:

Take a Break

The most advantageous thing you can do to ensure you’re getting a good edit on your novel is by doing nothing at all. After you’re done drafting and between each round of editing you should take a significant break that gives you space from the text. One of the biggest advantages of working with an indie editor is that they aren’t too close to the text. If you’re going to try to forego one, you should be doing all you can to give yourself a similar advantage. Try to take a break not only before you edit but between each round of editing.

Note, this doesn’t include any notes you left yourself during drafting. Feel free to wrap those up before your break while they’re still fresh. That way you can come back to a wholly intact story. Also, taking a break from this narrative doesn’t have to mean giving up your writing habit. Take the time to plot/draft/edit/promote another work!

Don’t Edit Until You’re Done Writing

It’s likely you’ve heard this one before, but usually it’s in reference when drafting. Don’t edit while you’re drafting. But the same goes for editing. You’re likely to rewrite paragraphs and realize there are missing scenes while you are going through your first round of edits, but don’t take more than a few minutes at a time to draft while you’re in an editing flow. Instead, make a note and come back once you have a full vision for your round of edits.

Use the Classic Three-Edit Structure

Every publishing house and indie editor has the same process for editing: start with big picture and work smaller. First come developmental edits, then line edits, then fact checking and proofreading. There’s a reason why. Not only does it prevent you from having to make the same levels of edits multiple times, it also minimizes the likelihood of continuity errors. It’s worthwhile to follow the same path 95 percent of the time. So, don’t nitpick during big picture edits. If you must, just leave yourself a note that you can complete after you’re done with the larger considerations.

Get Feedback Between Editing Rounds

A great way to still feel productive during your break between edits and help inform your next round is by getting an outside view. Have a scene or section of your novel that still doesn’t quite feel right? A book coach could be a great resource. Feeling like you’re so full of ideas but don’t know what is the next best thing to focus on? Maybe a beta reader or critique partner can point to where they think needs attention.

Center Your Story Structure Checkpoints

If you’re wanting to forego a developmental edit, there are a few other options you should lean heavily upon to help. One we’d suggest is getting a professional beta reader in the mix, and another is to take the time to identify and ensure the placement of your story structure checkpoints. These scenes are the backbone of your narrative. If they’re misaligned, readers and prospective agents will feel it.

Ensure Intentionality in Genre Conventions

Another big leg up you can have while developing your novel is by building a list of conventions of your genre. While you don’t need to meet every single convention you come upon, you do want to meet 90 percent of them. They will help keep readers and agents on board by meeting them where they like to read, and the other 10 percent are where you can be your most creative self. Cross referencing this list with any missing story structure checkpoints can be a great opportunity to kill two birds in an unexpected way.

Highlight Your Beginnings, Middles, and Ends

Once you’ve reviewed your story structure checkpoints, you’ve got a good sense of your story’s larger structure. What you might not realize is that the same holds true for your scenes as well. Though it isn’t as necessary to get intensive with these checkpoints while you’re doing your line edits, it’s a good idea to keep them in the back of your mind and keeping track of them as you analyze each scene for continuity, language, fact checking, and pacing.

Live and Love Control+F

All of us have crutch words that come alive and take over during the drafting portion of your novel. Make a list of crutch words and phrases you find yourself using again and again during the line editing process, and finish it off by doing a control+f for each one. You don’t have to completely eliminate them, but I would stick to no more than one use per five thousand words if it’s a common word like “just” and no more than one use per hundred pages if it’s a largely uncommon one. Use your best judgement.

Do Grammar Edits Out of Order

If you’re in love with your story as it is and don’t want to make any more adjustments, one of the best ways to keep yourself to the nitty gritty is by editing your chapters out of order. In fact, it can be a great tool generally to help you stay focused on the microtask at hand. This way, you won’t be swept off in your own excellent storytelling.

Know When to Seek Help

Just because you’re looking to self-edit your novel doesn’t mean you have to do everything by yourself. A lot of authors think of writing as the last individual human achievement, but the reality is that bringing a book to market takes a huge variety of skills and often includes a team working together to position it in the best possible light. So, be honest with yourself when you’re struggling and lean on the writing community, readers, editors, and coaches as you see fit. There’s nothing wrong with finding help, and they may give you insight into your story you never imagined.