No one ever said that writing a novel was easy. In fact, it’s often said that the first draft is always the worst. And while there’s certainly some truth to that statement, it doesn’t mean that you can’t make your novel better with a few simple revisions. Here are seven incredible rules to effortlessly revise and edit your novel.

1. Don’t edit as you write; Let it cool, man!

There’s something to be said for the cooling-off period. You know, that moment when you step away from your work, take a deep breath, and let it all sink in. It can be tempting to revise and edit the same chapter or section over and over again, but sometimes it’s best to just move on. I usually give myself three chances to get it right. If I can’t get it right the first three times, I make a comment reminding me to come back to it later. So take a break, have some faith and come back to it later with fresh eyes. Who knows, maybe the answer will be staring you in the face. Cooling-off periods are important, so don’t neglect them!

2. Use a timer to limit your editing time

Anyone who has ever written a paper knows that the editing process can be endless. You tweak a sentence here, rearrange a paragraph there, and before you know it, hours have passed and you’ve barely made any progress. That’s why it can be helpful to use a timer when editing your work.

By setting a limit on how long you spend editing, you can force yourself to focus and get the job done more efficiently. Not to mention, it’s satisfying to be able to say you finished your edits in record time! So next time you sit down to edit a paper, try using a timer to help you stay on track.

3. Edit the beginning, middle, and end of your novel separately

If you’re anything like me, you’re a perfectionist when it comes to your novel. You want everything to be just right, from the beginning all the way through to the end. Remember, there’s no rule that says you have to edit your novel from beginning to end. I’ve found that editing the different parts of my novel separately can shake things up and help me to see my story in a new light. For example, instead of starting at the beginning and working my way through to the end, I sometimes begin editing in the middle or even at the end. This can help me to get a better sense of how the story flows and identify any plot holes that need to be filled. And if I’m feeling really stuck, I’ll go back and edit the beginning. After all, it’s always good to shake things up a bit!

4. Edit for style, tone, and voice

No writer is perfect. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, and our work always has room for improvement. Fortunately, there are a few universal tips that can help any writer to take their work to the next level. First, make sure that your style is clear and consistent. Second, pay attention to the tone of your writing. Is it too serious? Too lighthearted? Find the right balance for your audience. Finally, don’t be afraid to let your voice shine through. After all, your readers want to hear what you have to say! By following these simple tips, you can make sure that your writing is polished and professional.

5. Cut out unnecessary words and phrases

Adverbs are those pesky -ly words that we often tack onto verbs to give them more oomph. For example, instead of saying “She walked quickly,” we might say “She raced.” But adverbs are often lazy shortcuts that don’t paint a very vivid picture. If you want your writing to be more engaging, cut out the adverbs and find more interesting ways to describe what’s happening.

Similarly, watch out for clichés and hackneyed phrases that have been used so often that they’ve become dull and uninteresting. Instead of going with the flow, think outside the box and come up with something more original. Keep in mind that there’s nothing truly original under the sun, so aim for fresh twists on old ideas. With a little creativity, you can find ways to say things that will resonate with your readers in new and exciting ways, which is why I love writing because it allows me the chance to try new things until I find what works best! So cut out the unnecessary words and phrases and get writing!

6. Fix common grammar mistakes, but do it last!

Grammar is important. There’s no denying that. But when it comes to writing your novel, grammar should be the least of your concerns. In the early stages of writing, grammar is relatively unimportant. The focus should be on getting your ideas down on paper — worry about sentence structure later. In the middle stages, grammar becomes more important as you start to shape and mold your story. But even then, there are more important things to worry about than grammar. It’s only when you’re ready to share your work with an agent or editor that grammar really matters. Simply put, grammar mistakes can leave your manuscript unread and unpublished. Still, it’s not the be-all and end-all. So don’t sweat the small stuff. Write your story first, and worry about grammar later. Just get your story down, and worry about fixing common grammar mistakes later.

7. Share Your Work with a Peer or Editor

Editing is a process that can be tedious and overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it all alone! I’m here to help you polish your work until it shines. I offer a variety of editing services that can help you polish your work until it shines. Contact me at [email protected] today to learn more about my editing packages and how I can help you take your writing to the next level or apply here.

By following some simple rules, you can make the editing process less painful and more productive. As you can see, there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to editing and revising your novel. But if you follow the tips we’ve shared and make revisions based on what works best for you, you’ll be well on your way to a finished product that is both polished and publishable.

What are some of your revision tips? Share them with me in the comments or email them to [email protected] so we can all benefit from each other’s wisdom!

Happy writing (and editing)!