Self-Editing

Learning to edit our own writing may not be the hardest thing we do, but it’s sure in the top three. The biggest requirement is just plain, old perseverance. As writers we each have our own style, as unique as fingerprints. It’s part of who we are, part of the emotion we put into our work. And it’s one of the reasons self-editing can be so hard. Let’s face it, no writer wants to cut out parts of their creation. It’s a touch job but somebody has to do it. If a realtor’s mantra is location, location, location, a writer’s should be simplify, simplify, simplify. Or, my rule of thumb: When in doubt, leave it out. Writing, like anything worthwhile, requires work. We have to weed out things like faulty grammar, repetitious phrases, cliches and clumsy sentences. In fact, we have to say at much as possible, as clearly and as eloquently as possible, with as few words as possible. How’s that for a triple threat. But how do we know which words to leave and which ones to change or cut you ask? Start with redundancies; the sky overhead, past history, a cold chill, a brief glance, murmured softly, stood up, sat down, slowed down. Keep your writing simple. But don't confuse simple with brief. I'm not advocating you cut your words in half, but rather to make your words count. And that’s what self-editing is. Making your words clear, concise and meaningful.