Friday, June 22, 2012

More Editing Tips


Last week I posted 10 self-editing tips for writers. Today I have a few more tricks I've picked up in my numerous rounds of edits. Hope you enjoy!

1.) Use a different font to edit than what you use to write. You'll see things differently because the words will look different on the page.

2.) Use different font colors to differentiate between points of view, scenes, etc to give yourself an idea of how everything balances.

3.) Use a text-to-speech programs (I use my Kindle) or read your draft aloud. I always pick up different things when listening vs. reading.

4.) Print a hard copy. I know if take a lot of paper and ink, but sometimes a computer screen just won't cut it.

5.) If you're using Word, utilize the document map in the side bar to see your chapter numbers. Don't want any duplicates!

Got any more tips for me? 

3 comments:

  1. Thanks for the tips!

    And how do you usually print out your manuscript? When I'm at school I can do this easily and cheaply, but now that I'm home for the summer I'm sort of at a loss as to how I can do this. (400 pages will absolutely kill my home printer.)

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    1. I can print at work! But I shrink the font & margins to fit as much as possible! It's way too expensive to do at Kinko's. But I have printed at home. One chapter at a time :)

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