Even Editors Need Editors

Tips for proofreading and editing your drafts.

Editing can be a daunting task for some, no matter how much their desire drives them to write. I've heard many writers, students, and professionals complain about proofreading and editing their work. It's not easy, especially since we all have a tendency to miss mistakes in our own writing. It's like going nose-blind to a smell or not noticing weight gain or loss in a person or animal we see every day.

Our brains have a tendency to fill in the gaps when words are missing, or our eyes glide over a misplaced letter that spells a different word, like "from" and "form." And in English, there's the differences between British and American spellings that we don't see or know. Homonyms don't tend to help either. In our own writing, we may use general pronouns, such as "he," "she," "it," or "they," without realizing that the pronoun isn't clear to the reader, only the writer. Also, there are larger content issues that we may not notice, too.

Most of these issues actually can be solved on your own though. I know some of you are thinking, "Yeah, right. English is way too hard for that." But it's true! I've taught tons of people the tips I'm about to tell y'all, and every person has gained confidence in their own skills because of it!

1. Take a Break

DO NOT start proofreading or editing as soon as you're finished writing! That's one of the biggest mistakes a lot of writers make when editing their own work. Remember how I said editing our own writing is like going nose-blind to a smell? Well, when you leave the place that smells for a long time, then re-enter the place later, the smell is back in full force, smacking you in the face. That's what it's like when you take a break from your work. I recommend a minimum of one hour if it's something short, such as an essay, flash fiction, or an email. However, if you're writing novels or memoirs, you should take at least one day off before you attempt editing. This tactic allows for fresh eyes and will help you recognize anything missed in the previous draft. Don't forget to take breaks between edits, too!

Breaks are essential! I prefer to wait anywhere from one day to one week before editing.

2. Read Out Loud

This particular tip is one that a lot of people balk at. The thought of reading out loud scares many people. Maybe you're worried someone will overhear you, maybe you feel silly, or maybe you're traumatized from experiences in school. No matter the reason, I promise that this trick is guaranteed!

It's amazing what we notice when we hear the words out loud instead of in our heads. You don't automatically fill in blanks, so you'll see if a "the" or an "of" is missing; you'll see if letters were inverted or missed, like "din" and dine" or "war" and "raw"; and you'll hear if a word or sentence sounds wrong, which will enable you to rewrite the sentence or choose a different vocabulary word, like a synonym or antonym. Extra pro tip: record yourself when reading out loud, then play it back and follow along (after taking a break!). However, I will admit that reading out loud does not work the same if your native tongue isn't English.

First things first, make sure you find a quiet place to read where people can't hear you. I know it's going to be strange in the beginning, but it will work, and you won't regret it. Even I read my work out loud still. I read this blog out loud before it was published, and I waited a few days before I did it!

3. Read Backward

No, I'm not telling you to read your work in a mirror. Basically, you start at the end and make your way to the beginning, like the picture above demonstrates. After waiting your preferred amount of time between writing and editing, go to your last paragraph and read the final sentence, left to right as we do in America. Then move to your second to last sentence, then third to last, and so on until the final paragraph is read and any edits are made. Now, move on to the second to last paragraph and begin with the final sentence, like you did with the previous paragraph. Continue in this vein until you've made it to the beginning of the work and have completed your edits. This trick will allow you to not only see possible grammar mistakes, but it will also help you see possible continuity errors and plot holes.

Reading from the end to the beginning tends to be an easier editing trick for second language learners, but you can also combine reading out loud with reading backward to get even better editing results. I know a lot of this sounds easier than it's going to be, but practice makes perfect, as with anything. In the end, you'll figure out which style of editing works best for you. The point is for you to be able to edit your work for submissions or for further editing.

Professional editors, like teachers and bosses, don't want to read a first draft of your work. Anything submitted for grading, contests, or professional help should be proofread by you for basic grammar and content beforehand. Not only will it save you money or a bad grade, but it will also show your professionalism and willingness to do the work that needs to be done, which is always a good look.

Remember, your work doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be clear and free of as many errors as your skills allow. As an editor of your own work though, you'll still want a professional editor to look it over (or tutor if you're a student). And I can help with that!

I've been tutoring and editing for over nine years, so I know what's up when it comes to writing creatively and professionally. Additionally, I offer free consultations for people who aren't sure what services they need, or you can email questions about my editing and tutoring services to vickyproofed@gmail.com.

Good luck with your editing!