It's difficult to look at your own writing objectively.
the time you get to the editing stage you've written in a frenzy of .
uninhibited inspiration, without stopping to censor yourself or .
to get tangled up in confusion about grammar and punctuation. .
But in order to make your writing as appealing and publishable as .
possible, you must turn a cold, critical eye on what you've written. .
In fact, you may find it necessary to cut a line or two that you .
especially love "to "murder your darlings- "simply because they .
don't work in that particular piece of writing. .
That's why the first step in self-editing is to distance yourself as .
much as possible from your writing. After all, the moment you .
write the last word of a story, novel, or article "when you're still .
buzzing with the rush of creativity and you're in love with all your .
characters "is not the best time to assess with an objective eye. .
Put your writing away for a couple of days and let it cool off. .
When you come back to it, you'll want to give it at least two close .
readings: first for the big picture, and then to check all the nitty .
gritty. The first time you reread your manuscript ask yourself, .
honestly, if it's really good "does it hold your interest, is it resolved .
in a way that makes sense, are the characters well-drawn and .
consistent? Once you've decided that yes, it's quite good, read .
through it again and correct any grammar or spelling problems, .
eliminate redundancy, and so on. .
Look through the self-editing checklist on the next page. If you .
can check off all the items with a clear conscience, then your story, .
novel, or article is ready to go. If, however, the checklist alerts .
you to any trouble spots, just turn to the corresponding chapter .
heading and learn how to polish your writing to a gleam. .
checklist Proven Tactics for Effective Self-Editing .
The Big Picture .
My story creates the emotional effect I intended.
