The Editing Process

[malenkayacherepakha]

Editing my own works isn't something I do very well - I read things over of course and make the odd minor change, but I've never done a proper critical edit of my fic. I want to improve my writing though, and I've got a couple of fics in the pipeline that I hope have the potential to be really good, and good editing is going to help a lot with that.

So, I thought I'd see what wisdom all the brilliant writers on here have to share!
What do you look for when you edit (or beta!)?
How does your editing process (or beta process) work?

Any thoughts are massively appreciated!

Comments

[malenkayacherepakha]

I've always seen advice saying not to edit as you go so it's really interesting that you find it works for you - a good reminder I guess that a lot of writing is about finding how you work best. I tend to write most of my fic without rereading what I've written before 😂

Ooh I hadn't thought about posting on DW or using my phone to see the words in a different context but I like it - I'll give it a try.

That's a great tip too.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I'm really enjoying learning about how everyone approaches it.

[paulamcg]

Thank you for starting this interesting conversation! I’m glad you can perhaps find my little tips useful, too.

I’ve recently made a post about editing because pink_ink asked about it in Top Five Meme. In the form of my favourite things about editing. it’s a bit exaggerated for fun. But yes, it’s always worked for me that I edit as I go. And doesn't magpie_fngrl mention the same technique? Even if you don’t want to try that, it’s great I’ve made you think you might try something else that’s unusual and against “rules”.

I make a private post so as to read online just because I want to reread the work in progress constantly, also on my way to work.

[malenkayacherepakha]

Ooh I'll have to go and check out your post! Yes you're definitely not the only one who edits as they go. Maybe I'll try it out when I start my next fic and I'm not under deadline pressure - it doesn't matter then if it makes me take a bit longer to write. I'm up for trying anything and everything!