Think about your favorite fiction book or short story. Think about why you love it so much. It's probably mainly because of the plot and its characters. Sure, the writing style might be unique, and it could be a contributing factor to why you enjoy a particular work. Writing alone, however, will not carry a piece of fiction. It's important not to fall in love with your writing style, especially when self-editing fiction.
Write a First Draft Without Self-Editing
Don't hinder yourself by constantly editing your writing to the point that you can't get through a sentence without tearing it apart. Write freely and creatively through the first draft. It's okay to write too much or write in clichés; editing will help remove overwriting and trite phrases.
Reading and Marking Up a First Draft
After you have completed your first draft of any fiction, allow it to rest for a bit. How long is up to you, but it's best to wait a few days if possible. This allows you to view your writing with somewhat fresh eyes. Here are a few things to look at in a first draft:
- Clichés
- Repetitive writing
- Showing instead of telling
- Adverbs and adjectives
- Exclamation points
Clichés, Repetitive Writing and Showing Versus Telling
Begin by marking through any phrases you recognize as cliché and any paragraphs you feel are repetitive. Next, circle areas where you show instead of tell. Don't overlook small spots that you could show instead of tell.
You might, for example, say "Jessie was a very neat eater. She never spilled." If your character is at the table, don't tell this to the reader when you could show Jessie taking small bites and sips, leaning her chin over her plate and constantly patting her lips with a napkin. Think movie scene instead of voice over.
Correct clichés by thinking of unique ways to say what you mean. If you aren't sure if something is cliché, it probably is. Picture somebody who annoys you saying the phrase in question. If it makes you squirm, chances are it's cliché.
Adverbs, Adjectives, Beautiful Writing and Exclamation Points
After cutting out repetitive writing, showing more than telling and correcting clichés, cut out as many adjectives and adverbs as possible. If you read what you feel is a particularly great adjective or sentence, you should probably cut it; chances are you are writing for yourself and not your characters or readers. If you use too many adjectives and adverbs, you're probably searching for the right word by using many.
Replace "Sam tried to walk slowly and quietly across the crunchy leaves." Try "Sam tip-toed across the crunchy leaves."
You can get your point across faster and with fewer words more often than not by replacing adverbs and adjectives with more precise verbs and nouns.
Finally, eliminate almost every – if not every – exclamation point in your writing. You most likely can phrase a sentence to where an exclamation point is seldom necessary to show enthusiasm.
These are only guidelines of the beginning stages of editing any fiction work. Remember not to edit too soon or while writing a first draft because it can hinder the creative process. A first draft is an accomplishment but keep in mind a lot of editing goes into any professional work.
Megan B. Wyatt - Megan B. Wyatt has a BA in English, edits fiction manuscripts and currently works as an entertainment reporter in Lafayette, Louisiana.
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