Avery K. Tingle, The Gamer Author

If writing is a creative endeavor, editing is a logical one. It’s also a ruthless one. It’s where we take a metaphorical weedwhacker to our babies, cut away all the extraneous details and turn it into something we hope everyone will like. This is why we’re better off hiring someone else to do our editing. This is also why a good editor will always be underpaid.

For those of us skillful (or psychotic) enough to handle our own editing, there are a number of methods to improve your abilities. I have discovered one, after years of trial and error, that has drastically improved my writing.

PUT YOUR STORY DOWN.

I’m serious. Once you type “The End” on your story, put it away for at least twenty-four hours. I take anywhere from two to fourteen days before returning to a world. Fresh eyes make all the difference in the world. A little distance also provides objectivity. It makes it easier to spot the mistakes and the actual story you’re trying to tell.

Self-editing probably won’t take the place of an actual editor, unless you’re trained to do that. But a good self-edit makes an editor’s job far easier, which makes them more inclined to work with you again. It also greatly improves your chances of ranking well when you publish.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for reading.

Avery K. Tingle is a scifi/fantasy author currently residing in the Las Vegas area. Owned by two cats, he is passionate about social justice, Star Wars, and mental health. Connect to his award-winning writing and social media here.