Polish your novel until it shines.
You've made it to the final round of self-edits. This is by far the easiest of the three rounds but not always the fastest. Here, you'll proofread your manuscript to catch any remaining typos; repetitive words or sentence structure; and incorrect, duplicate, or missing words.
To proofread, find a comfortable chair and read the story out loud to yourself. Or if you prefer, have your computer, Alexa, or Siri read your story to you. Reading aloud provides two benefits: first, it forces you to slow down and see every word; and second, your ears pick up the story's rhythm and you'll hear awkward lines.
When you catch words or sentences you need to change, you can either change it on the spot or mark the page and continue reading. I do the latter when I read aloud, so I don't lose momentum.
After you finish reading and making corrections, be sure to celebrate the milestone. Self-editing can be a mentally exhausting but very rewarding process. You can now say your manuscript is as polished as it can be to your ability.
Congratulations!
YOU ARE READING
The Tidy Guide to Writing, Editing, and Publishing Your Novel
Non-FictionDo you dream of writing a novel, but not sure where to start? Have you been working on a book for ages but feel stuck? Despite all your best efforts, do you feel overwhelmed? Here's a clutter-free guide for planning and writing your novel right the...
