Editing a Fiction Novel

I have been editing my novel and it is pretty hard. I have never edited something this large before. I have been reading about all kinds of different ways to edit. Some people like to edit only one time, others like to make flashcards, and some edit over and over again. There is really no “correct way” to edit. Everybody edits a little differently just like everybody writes a little differently. You have to find your own way. I am trying to find my own way and I hope it does not take me too much longer, because it is time to start writing the next novel.

Here are some books on writing, that I heard are really good:

• “Self-Editing for Fiction Writers,” by Renni Brown and Dave King. This book gets huge raves for editing a fiction novel.
• “On Writing,” by Stephen King. I really want to read this book, how can you not when it is by Stephen King. Did you know that Stephen King writes at least 2,000 words everyday? You cannot wait for inspiration to hit you, it comes while you are writing.
• “How to Write Science-Fiction and Fantasy,” by Orson Scott Card.
• “Believable Characters with Enneagrams,” by Laurie Schnebly
• “Eats, Shoots, and Leaves,” by Lynne Truss. This book is for grammar/punctuation issues and knowing what to use when.
• “Elements of Writing Fiction – Beginnings, Middles, and Ends,” by Nancy Kress. I am reading this book right now and it gives examples of what to do in each scene of your book. Great ideas to horn your craft with great prose.

Good luck editing your own novel. Or if you don’t have one to edit, then start writing one. Set a deadline and just start it, find an hour a day. Make writing a habit. You will find that words come to you well you are writing. And remember nobody has a great first draft right off. So give yourself a break. Making the book good comes with the editing. And with every book you edit, the better you will get!

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