On Being a Ferocious Self-Editor (The Mental Game)

I wanted to write this in a single go, but I’m realizing now this will only be the first part on this topic, as it’s a big one. For this post, I’ll focus primarily on the mental game of self-editing. My hope is for the next post to focus on some practical steps you can use to help you during the self-editing process.

One of the greatest struggles of writing a book you’re planning to publish, either through self-publishing or an agent, is the unfortunate truth that, in the end, you must be edited. Either by yourself, by someone else, or preferably both.

Unfortunately, utilizing a professional editor of any kind can be costly, and for those of us working on our debut novels, with very little in finances available to back our cause, the question of “can I really afford that?” is bound to arise.

So, one of my biggest tips in becoming a successful writer is this: also become a ferocious and unforgiving self-editor.

Nothing should be treated as safe or sacred in your writing. Be willing to let go of what doesn’t work to make room for what does.

Let’s be honest, as a first-time writer, I had very little idea of what I was doing. After I had finished my first draft of Red Summer (I tend to edit as I go), I thought it was great! All done and just in need of some polishing. To me, the one with the story living in her head, the book was perfect.

But boy, was I WRONG. So very wrong it hurts to think about sometimes.

So, here’s what I’d suggest:

Tip #1: Show your writing to others and be willing to revise based on their feedback.

The greatest assets in self-editing, in my opinion, are Beta Readers. And I don’t mean your friends and family. I’m talking about others who write, write well, and know what to look out for. I can’t even begin to tell you how helpful it was when a good friend of mine, an author of her own published book and a co-owner of a small indie publishing press, told me flat-out “There’s WAY too much exposition here.”

Did I know what exposition was? Nope. Not a clue. So, I learned. I read articles and books. I watched courses taught by people who know what they’re talking about. Then I took another good, hard look at my writing…and decided to entirely rewrite my first three chapters.

And I don’t write short chapters.

As I received more and more feedback from more and more people, I made more and more edits.

Now this isn’t to say I made every edit they suggested. But I let myself be open to the feedback, be understanding about what my reader was experiencing, and discerning about which feedback was just a matter of taste. Over time, I began to pick up on where I struggled the most, and what I needed to work on. Which brings me to my next tip.

Tip #2: Know your weaknesses.

Each of us writes differently. That’s one of the most beautiful things about the literary world. However, that doesn’t give us leave to say “well, that’s just not how I write.” Truth is, if you aren’t writing at least to an extent that is readable and enjoyable by at least a small portion of the population, you probably won’t sell. And obviously, if your goal is just to write for yourself, great! But for me, my goal has always been to improve in my craft and write a story that can be enjoyed by the masses. Knowing which elements of my writing need work is paramount in doing that.

You might be an incredible plotter (I like to think I am), but really stink at characterization (I could definitely improve in this area). You might be phenomenal at imagery and prose, but so much so that you forget to actually get into the action of it all (*cough cough* too much exposition).

Whatever it is, learn what it is. And then look at your writing through the critical lens of that area. Once you’ve done that, commit to improve it. It helps to spend time researching what the most important elements of a story are and go from there.

Some very basic examples could be plot, character, imagery, dialogue, structure, conflict, just to name a few. I’m sure I’ll do a blog post at some point walking through many of these.

And don’t forget, when you’re asking your Beta Readers for help, let them know which areas you want them looking out for. It helps them to tell them where you think you might be weakest, so they can point out the sections that need work.

Tip #3: Read (and study) the writing of others.

I can’t say this enough: READ, READ, READ!

I know. “But I’m writing all the time. How can I justify taking the time to read?” The truth is, if you have time to write, you have time to read. And committing to doing it will help your writing so much more than you think it will.

Find authors who are writing books in a similar style or genre to yours and study them. What do they do well? How are they doing it? What really cool methods do they use to portray certain scenes?

For example, while reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, I was floored when I saw him shift POV for just a single sentence in order to make a point. The story is told in third-person limited, as many fantasy books are. I can’t remember the exact phrasing he used, but I believe it was something like “From another point of view, someone might have seen ‘this thing happen that the main character didn’t see’”.

And let me tell you, my jaw dropped. I actually said out loud, “You can do that?!” It’s a beautiful way to solve the issue of being in third-person limited, not wanting your character to see or know something, but wanting the reader to, without having to go completely omniscient.

This is just a single example of what reading the work of others can do to improve your own craft.

An extra tip in regard to this one: Don’t fall into the trap of comparison. Let the writing of others encourage you as something to aspire to, not dishearten you.

If someone says your writing or story reminds them of another author, don’t jump to thinking you’re not original. Instead, read that author’s work! Chances are the way they think and create might be similar to yours, and it could benefit you to learn from them.

And if you read something that is just incredible, so much so that you feel like it makes your own writing look like the scribbles of a toddler—let that encourage you too. I remember the first time I began reading Name of the Wind. The writing was immaculate, just within the first chapter. And I remember thinking, “There’s no way I will ever become this good…”

And then I found out it took Patrick Rothfuss 15 years to shape his debut novel into the literary gem it is today.

Now I have no plans to spend 15 years on my first novel, as my entire series has 7 or 8 books planned, and I’d ideally love to stick with having them all done within a decade. But just learning it was okay to take as much time as I needed to perfect my manuscript was such a relief.

All of this is just the beginning. But strengthening your mind is a critical starting point if you want to grow in your craft or plan on taking the route of self-editing.

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