When you edit your story, which element should you tackle first? Grammar and punctuation? Characters? Plot? Dialogue? And when should you edit? As you go, or when it’s finished?
Honestly, it depends on the writer. Maybe you want to tackle those misspelled words first. Maybe you want to edit as you go.
My current process is editing while I write, and after I’m done for the day, I leave it alone. This repeats each day I write, and at the end of each month I have slotted for a WIP, I edit what I have so far.
(I will admit right now though that this is a fairly new process, and I did do a few edits before waiting for January 31st in order to edit what I currently have of Preserving The Past #1)
If you want to tackle one thing at a time though, then make a list of what needs to be done, such as:
- Grammar
- Character development
- Plot holes
- Typos
After you’ve made the list, choose which topic you’ll tackle first. And whichever method you choose, in the end, it all comes down to what works for you and what doesn’t. If somewhere along the line, you decide it’s not working, then tweak it or come up with an entirely new method.
Tell me your thoughts below in the comments! How do you edit your stories?
H.S. KYLIAN 