Discover the joy of self-editing

Two easy hacks to improve your writing

Does anyone care about the craft of writing? If you can call on ChatGPT to write for you, why bother to learn the nuances of good writing?

My short answer? For the sake of joy. As with any craft, from playing a sonata to knitting a sweater, pursuing quality brings deep satisfaction. The same is true of writing well. Learn to recognize good writing, then learn to write well. Strive to improve your craft, because writing well is a path to joy. We know we’ll never arrive at perfection, but seeking improvement offers writers its own reward.

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood: https://www.pexels.com/

As I’ve mentioned before, writing begins with a first draft. As you write this, let it flow. At this stage, do NOT self-edit. Get your thoughts down. Allow this draft to be bad, repetitive, rambly, whatever. Just write without judgement or fear. Reassure yourself that you will revise later, but for now, find freedom and allow the words to flow

Set this very rough draft aside for a few hours or a day. Go for a walk.

Writing, it turns out, consists not just getting words on the page. It requires re-writing, self-editing, revising. But these two steps must be taken in order. First, write uninhibited. Then, polish and revise.

When you’re ready, pick up your terrible first draft, and begin the real work. You’re digging for gold which means you’re going to have to shovel off a lot of dirt.

Self-editing begins by stepping back and noticing your own mistakes. How to find them? Begin with two essential writing rules: omit needless words, and avoid using the passive voice.

How do we know which words are needless? How can we unearth the passive voice?

Here’s a simple self-editing hack: use the “search” function to look for four words:

Then

There

Was

Were

Use “Then” sparingly

In memoir and fiction, we often write to describe a series of events. This happened, then that happened.

But the word then, especially at the beginning of a sentence, actually slows down the pacing. For some writers, it’s a pet word, which they overuse. Use “then” sparingly, and hardly ever to start a sentence.

For example:

Sally walked into the house. Then, she dropped her shopping bags on the floor. Then, she kicked off her high heels.

“Then” slows the pacing, and its overuse can distract the reader.

Instead:

Sally walked into the house, dropped her shopping bags, and kicked off her high heels.

Or you could use your words to embellish and add detail. We want to omit needless words like “then” but include words that evoke feeling, and add detail.

Sally pushed open her front door with her shoulder, stepped inside, and let the shopping bags slip from her arms onto the floor. She kicked off her high heels, wiggled her toes, and sighed.

In my work as an editor, I find every writer has pet words that they tend to overuse. Try to notice your favorites, then use the search function to root them out, and remove most of them. I used to use the word “actually” far too much. Used sparingly, actually is actually fine (haha). But overuse it, and it loses its punch.

How can you improve your writing here and now? Rewrite to avoid using then and there.

Edit out “There” most of the time

The word “there” flags sentences with far too many words. It often accompanies the passive voice, or over-reliance on “to be” verbs as it pairs with was, were, and is. To improve your writing, substitute strong, active verbs for “to be” verbs.

“There were two red couches on either side of the fireplace, and there was a white cat sitting on each one.”

“Were” is a form of the verb to be. Chose a stronger, more active verb that conveys more meaning than just “were.”

“Two red couches flanked the fireplace. A white cat reclined on each.”

Or

“Two white cats surveyed the room from red couches beside the fireplace.”

You can also search for “were” and “was.” Compare these two sentences:

She was running down the street.

She ran down the street.

These sentences mean the same thing, but the second is more direct, uses fewer words, and as a result, holds the reader’s interest more easily.

Was and were can alert a careful self-editor to the passive voice, providing the opportunity to rewrite in the active voice.

For example, this is passive voice:

The story was written by Samantha.

When we rewrite the sentence into the active voice, we say the same thing more clearly, with fewer words. Ultimately, this revision makes it easier for the reader to stay engaged.

Samantha wrote the story.

Sometimes, it’s okay to use “to be” verbs. But when you can, substitute stronger, more active verbs.

These small and simple hacks will improve your writing. As you become a stronger writer, you’ll find joy and satisfaction—which really is why we write, isn’t it?

Leave a comment and tell us your favorite self-editing hack!

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