To Edit or Not to Edit… That’s Not Even a Question

Hey Keana, what’s it like to edit your manuscripts/drafts? How many times do you edit your work? 

The editing process for most authors is as varied as their writing styles. Though, the rules of grammar and editing themselves are pretty set. I edit my manuscripts as many times as necessary, often creating new versions when there are major changes. It’s not unheard of for me to have as many as 12-15 revised editions of a manuscript. 

Many authors loathe the editing phase because it’s something they’ve had to learn as part of the writing process, or they simply pay someone to tackle it for them. Some start early in their process and engage developmental editors to help with plot, pacing, character arcs, etc., or they manage that much themselves and hire someone to clean up the grammar and to do line edits (checking that styles are what they should be). Absolutely no shade or shame on taking that route. It’s important to do whatever works for you. 

Some of us are both editors and authors. For example, editing other people’s work is my “day job”. Now, it’s not always other people’s manuscripts; sometimes, it’s non-profit reports or academic papers (doctoral theses, etc.). Being both and editor and a writer is something of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, by the time I hand over my work for another editor’s eyes, it’s usually pretty clean. On the other hand, I get super nitpicky about my own work. (Grossest understatement evah!)

Do you edit on the first run, like as you draft?

I’ve heard it said that a writer isn’t supposed to edit their work while drafting. I can’t do that. The delete key is my friend lol! More often than not, I’ll write a scene, or a chapter, and I’ll continuously edit it as I’m writing it. Then, I go back the next day and edit it again, usually looking to see if I conveyed the tone I wanted or the breadcrumb hints. After that, I’ll reread whole sections and “tinker” before moving forward. Then it’s several rounds of edits of an entire manuscript after I’ve hit “The End.” 

Even so, there are times when I miss things. This is why I hire someone to edit my work before it gets sent to the formatter, and as part of the formatting process, both the formatter and someone else proofread the manuscript to make sure nothing was overlooked. 

There have been some books where I’ve written a number of scenes that take place before the start of the story. I find that helpful because then I know exactly what happened prior to an “in book” scene. All of those scenes get edited as I write them too! I just can’t help it. My eyes and my brain notice these things and are like, ooh! I have to fix that. And before anyone speculates or asks, yes, I’m neurospicy aka neurodivergent. So, a certain amount of this is simply how I’m wired, and that’s okay. 

Do you have any recommendations on editing for new(er) writers? 

 If anyone really wants my two cents, I would say pick up a good quick reference guide (something physical). I say a physical reference guide because it’s had to go through the trad pub process. It’s been vetted and verified by people whose jobs are to make sure the rules are followed, so you know it’s solid. I have one that I picked up at the B&N bargain section for $6. (Wow… I just went digging. Mine’s no longer in print, but she came out with a newer one pictured here, and the paperback version is still roughly the same price, $10 for the hardcover.) Also, a bonus perk of an actual book is that you can write notes, doodle, put sticky notes on it, etc. It’s another rare instance where I’ll advise marking up the book to all hell. Who knows? You may write a funny comment that makes you die laughing years from now. 

Part of the reason why I suggest physical over digital, though I do also do my fair share of checking CMOS and M-W online, is because with all of the nonsense and problems that AI has caused and does cause, it’s not worth the trouble. I’ll stand by my luddite roots for a moment and say that paper, in this case, is safer. 

As an example, I recently had a doctoral candidate hire me to edit his paper. He’d asked if there was anything he could do before we started, and I’d recommended using a paper grammar guide for any spots he thought seemed wrong. I’d also added that if he couldn’t get it, just let me know. Also, I’d advised him no AI, please. He did, and then I did my thing. 

The university had an AI checker (and this was for a computer engineering doctoral group, so it was pretty high end), and they scanned all of the candidates papers. If the candidate had more than 23%, their thesis was handed back to them for a redo. One guy got flagged at an 83% and admitted on the student group chat that he’d used AI to help him write it. They told him to rewrite. He still came back with a 72%, and they pulled him because then the plagiarism checker found stuff. My candidate/client? He scored a 16% and passed with flying colors. 

Good luck with your editing and stay safe out there!