How to Edit Your Book: Turn Your First Draft into a Finished Book

So, you've done it!

You’ve written "The End" on your manuscript, leaned back in your chair, and sighed with relief.

But hold on!

Before you send your masterpiece out into the world, there’s a crucial phase you can't skip: EDITING.

Why editing is crucial?

Editing is the process that transforms your raw, unpolished first draft into a readable, engaging book. Without editing, your story might be buried under typos, plot holes, and confusing sentences. Editing ensures your ideas shine through, your characters come to life, and your readers stay hooked from the first page to the last.

What is book editing?

Book editing is the process of revising and refining a manuscript to improve its overall quality. It’s not just about correcting typos and grammatical errors—although that’s part of it. Good editing enhances clarity, consistency, and readability, ensuring your story flows smoothly and keeps readers engaged. Book editing is like a multi-layered cake, with different types of editing adding their own special flavor to the mix.

Types of Book Editing

1. Developmental Editing This is the big-picture edit. Developmental editors look at the structure, plot, character development, pacing, and overall coherence of your story. They’ll help you see if your plot makes sense, if your characters are believable, and if your story’s pacing keeps readers engaged.
   

2. Line Editing Line editing focuses on the flow of the writing, ensuring that your prose is smooth, clear, and engaging. It’s about improving sentence structure, word choice, and style. Line editors help make your voice shine through.
   

3. Copy Editing Copy editing is about correcting grammar, punctuation, spelling, and syntax. It’s the nitty-gritty, detail-oriented part of editing that ensures your manuscript is polished and professional.
   

4. Proofreading The final polish! Proofreading is the last step before publication, focusing on catching any remaining typos, formatting issues, or minor errors that slipped through the previous rounds of editing.

Steps on how to edit your book

Now that you know why editing is crucial and the different types of editing, let’s dive into the steps to edit your draft.

1. Take a damn break After finishing your first draft, take a break. Put your manuscript away for a few days or weeks. This will give you fresh eyes and a new perspective when you start editing.
   

2. Read through your manuscript Start with a complete read-through of your manuscript. Don’t make any changes yet; just note down your initial thoughts and reactions. Pay attention to parts that confuse you, scenes that feel slow, or characters that seem flat.  You may cringe with shame multiple times. But hey, you're not alone.
   

3. Revise for structure and plot Begin with developmental editing. Look at your story’s structure, plot, and character arcs. Are there any plot holes? Does the pacing feel right? Are the character motivations clear and believable? Make the necessary changes to strengthen your story’s foundation.
   

4. Enhance your characters Focus on character development. Are your characters consistent and well-rounded? Do their actions and dialogue make sense? Deepen their backstories, refine their motivations, and ensure their arcs are satisfying and logical.
   

5. Polish your prose Move on to line editing. Improve your sentence structure, enhance your word choices, and ensure your writing style is consistent. This is where you make your prose shine. Read your sentences out loud to check for flow and clarity.
   

6. Check for consistency Ensure consistency in your manuscript. Check for continuity errors, like a character’s eye color changing mid-book or a timeline that doesn’t add up. Consistency is key to keeping readers immersed in your story.
   

7. Copy edit for accuracy Dive into copy editing. Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Make sure your syntax is clean and your sentences are grammatically sound. Tools like Grammarly can be helpful, but don’t rely solely on them.
   

8. Get feedback Share your manuscript with beta readers or a critique group. They can provide valuable feedback on what works and what doesn’t. Take their suggestions into consideration, but remember, it’s your story. Implement the changes that resonate with you.
   

9. Hire professional book editing services Consider hiring professional book editing services (Psst - we can help you with that). A professional editor can bring a fresh perspective and expertise to your manuscript, catching issues you might have missed. They can provide a thorough developmental edit, line edit, copy edit, and proofread, ensuring your book is polished to perfection.
   

10. Proofread Finally, give your manuscript a last round of proofreading. This is the final step to catch any remaining errors. Look for typos, formatting issues, and minor mistakes. This is your last chance to make your manuscript flawless.
    

11. Format your manuscript Ensure your manuscript is properly formatted for submission or self-publishing. Check guidelines for your chosen platform or publisher and make sure your document meets their requirements.
    

12. Prepare for publication Once your manuscript is edited and polished, it’s time to prepare for publication. Whether you’re self-publishing or submitting to agents or publishers, make sure your manuscript is in top shape. Write a compelling query letter or book blurb and get ready to share your story with the world.
    

Final Thoughts

Editing is a crucial step in the journey from the first draft to the finished book. It’s what turns a good story into a great one. Remember, even the best writers need editors. Don’t be afraid to revise, refine, and polish your manuscript. With patience, dedication, and the right editing process, you can transform your first draft into a masterpiece that readers will love.

Happy editing!