Using Editing Stages

Now that you have the basic tools to edit your work, it's time to talk about them. After all, what use is a toolbox if you don't know how to use the stuff that's in it?

There are probably as many ways to use this style of editing as there are writers (and as many books, I would argue, since each book is different), so I'm only giving you the rundown of how I use it. My own editing changes the more I do it, but this is my current process.

Revision #1

After letting the manuscript sit for a few months (or a year, during which I've written another book, to keep me occupied), I go back and read through the entire book. Here I make notes, whether mental of physical, about the book: plot structure and basic problems. These problems are naturally more obvious, since I'm only skimming through the manuscript.

Once I've read through the book, I make a separate Word doc that I'll use during the editing phase. I am a pantser (aka discovery writer) and prefer not to outline my books extensively before I write them, so this is the time I outline. It sounds bizarre, but essentially what I do is write down all the plot beats I can find and calculate their place in the book. This helps me gain an intuitive knowledge of plot structure without messing with all the outlining mess while writing the first draft.

I make two types of outlines: plot structure and list of scenes. The former you're probably familiar with, but perhaps not the latter. The scene outline lists all the scenes in the book, chronologically, organized by chapter.

Now that my outlines are complete, I start at editing stage 1, the foundation.

The plot outline was a lifesaver when I came back to my Viking book. By filling out the plot outline, I found that my second plot point was missing. The horror! It was fairly easy to solve that problem, because by using the outline, I could determine where it should go.

Going to scenes, the list makes it easy to go through and eliminate needless scenes, and to find places where new scenes should be added.

As I am doing this overarching edit, I keep a lookout for logical problems and inconsistencies in characters or details, but I usually find more when there are more eyes on the manuscript.

There is no set time when I find the theme. Usually, if I don't know it already, I'll discover it during my general read. It's okay if you don't find your theme right away, just keep an eye out for it.

Revision #2

After completing the first revision, I send the manuscript out to beta readers or critique partners. I prefer to go chapter by chapter with them, if possible, since they tend to catch more mistakes that way. With each chapter, we cover character, logic, research, plot holes, dialogue, action beats, etc, basically getting into editing stage two and three,. This is probably where I do the most editing, because I get so much feedback, and my mind thinks of a dozen new scenes to write. Just make sure to include them in your list of scenes. :)

The editing I do in this revision is taking the insight my beta readers and applying the ones I feel necessary. Sometimes, in editing, I find more things I need to edit, which leads to more beta reader conversations. I've done this revision three times, since this one includes the most work, but the book's getting there! Don't feel discouraged if your book is not improving as quickly as you would prefer. Big projects such as producing a book takes time, but it's worth it in the end!

Revision #3

To be honest, I haven't gotten beyond revision 2, but here is my plan for using the next stages:

Once I'm done with the major edit for stages two and three, I'll send the manuscript out for another round of beta reading. Once I receive their critiques, I'll go over them while keeping my goals for my book in mind. That's always important, so I don't fall into that easy pitfall of trying to include everyone's views.

If nothing big comes up, I'm ready to go into stages four and five. I'm really excited to do these, because they're the polishing coat of the writing world. It lets your work shine through in the best way possible, enhancing your story. This is where I'll go through my manuscript again, reading each sentence carefully to make sure it conveys what I want it to convey, and with the right tone. Wording comes into play here.

After completing stages four and five, off to the beta readers and critique partners ot goes again. Since I will have completed all editing stages, there shouldn't be any problems to address besides the ones the beta readers come up with.

Conclusion

Phew! Long post today! It was really hard squeezing everything into a short post, but I hope this was helpful. I know it was good for me to think through what I've already done, how it's worked, and what my future editing plans are.

Writers, what do you think? How do you use, or plan to use, the editng stages?

Happy writing!