Teaching writers how to edit fiction is one of those things that can be surprisingly counter-intuitive. Most books and articles about editing are actually nothing more or less than books and articles on good writing. After all, the fundamentals of good self-editing are the fundamentals of good writing. The skill set for good editing is no different from that […]
September 21, 2015 by 72 Comments Editing Your NovelHow to Edit Fiction: Watch Me Correct My Own Story in Real Time
May 29, 2015 by 58 Comments Editing Your NovelWord Count Woe: What Should You Do With Your Very Long Manuscript?
Sometimes being the author of a really long novel is no fun at all. It’s not something we talk about a lot, but it’s true, isn’t it? Your friend with the 70,000-word novel (fairly typical) has a relatively easy time getting feedback from friends and family, while you have to beg and plead for someone to […]
March 13, 2015 by 40 Comments Editing Your NovelRelax! Beta Readers Aren’t Scary: Here Are 3 Truths About Them
Have you ever written a terrifying character? Nate Williams is my latest antagonist, and each time he encounters my protagonist, his entire demeanor makes my skin crawl. But when writing Nate, I wasn’t nearly as terrified of him as I was scared about what my beta readers would think. If you’ve ever sent a manuscript out […]
January 16, 2015 by 29 Comments Editing Your Novel5 Ways to Endear Yourself to Your Book Editor
Here’s the not-so-secret secret about your book editor: he loves books. Sure, sometimes a book editor loves being right, but on the whole he loves reading, working with words, and seeing writers grow into authors. A book editor does what he does because he wants to help authors put their best words forward. But if you’ve never worked with a book […]
December 21, 2014 by 95 Comments Editing Your NovelA Quick Guide to Beta Reader Etiquette
Writers love their beta readers. But let’s be honest. Beta readers also kinda drive us crazy. Some of them are perfection: as polite, professional, and talented as any in-house editor. But others… well, let’s just say their lack of tact and their questionable knowledge of the craft can sometimes leave us howling in frustration. Why isn’t there […]
December 5, 2014 by 31 Comments Editing Your Novel5 Ways to Actually Enjoy Editing Your Book
I recently found myself in the “writing” subreddit, offering my two cents in the discussion. One of the questions that seemed to ring a bell with a few writers was, “Why can’t I bring myself to edit?” Writing seemed to be the easy part. Editing your book? Not so much. Here at CompletelyNovel, we find that […]
September 12, 2014 by 34 Comments Editing Your Novel7 Ways to Expertly Edit Your Own Writing
Writing can (and should!) be a creative, uplifting, enjoyable process. However, once the initial writing is complete, the next step is editing your draft. And figuring out how to edit your own writing is usually where the writing process becomes less “fun” and more—let’s be honest—agonizing. How so? Overly critical authors will be convinced their […]
August 8, 2014 by 59 Comments Editing Your NovelThe Crash: Braving Your Second Draft
Tell me if you’ve been here before. It’s May, with finals lurking around every corner, and you’re stuck in your room barreling through the paper on which your entire future depends. Or at least that’s how it feels right now. You’ve worked on it all day, and all night, and also all of the previous […]
April 5, 2014 by 28 Comments Editing Your NovelThe Elephant in the Room: Are You Ignoring Your Story Revision Instincts?
We’ve all had those fluid writing moments in which everything just seems to pour onto the paper with grace. The words come from a place you can’t always call upon. In the moment, everything seems eternally beautiful and poetic, and you fear someone will walk through the door and shatter your fragile thoughts. Sometimes, we […]
March 3, 2014 by 7 Comments Editing Your NovelIs a Professional Editor a Waste of Money?
Should you hire a professional editor? I’m asked that question often, and although my knee-jerk reaction is always a resounding Yes!, it’s a qualified answer. Hiring an editor is a decision that involves many factors, including your level of experience, your intent for your book, and your budget. 3 Reasons Not to Hire a Professional […]
