Ruthless Self-Editing: When In Doubt, Cut It Out
Self-editing is an essential writing skill, one that separates the great writers from those that are simply good. Learning to cut out those 50 words and long winded sentences in favor of one that is straight to the point ensures that your reader understands exactly what has been written. The K.I.S.S. method, keep it simply, stupid, is a great motto to keep in the back of your head while writing.
The initial draft should flow out of you without too much in-depth editorial thought. Get the ideas out on the paper and set it off to the side for at least an hour. It takes a bit to change from the writer hat to the editor hat. One of the hardest things for a writer to do is cut material out of a brand new piece, but it is an essential part of the writing process and stepping away from it and then coming back with a fresh set of eyes allows you to cut things that you initially wouldn’t have.
How do you edit your work? Liberally. If you have a long sentence that seems to wander cut out all of the extra adjectives and adverbs you’ve used. Leave only the essentials. If you can say it in fewer words, do it. While your initial draft may seem perfect to you, remember that you are writing for an audience and they won’t be as concerned about your beautiful language as the ideas that are being conveyed. Keep your reader happy by getting right to the point. Get in, get out, get done.
Ruthless editing can be done directly in a word processing program but I prefer to print out a copy and use the dreaded red pen method. Chop anything that doesn’t get right to the point and your readers will thank you for it. The hits keep comin’: NaNoWriMo – Get Good Ideas to Borrow for Blogging