Finishing a novel draft is a major achievement. Before you send it to a professional editor, self-editing helps you catch the big issues and make the most of an editor's time.
This guide covers self-editing tips for novelists.
Let the Draft Rest
Set your manuscript aside for a few weeks. When you return, you will see plot holes, pacing problems, and inconsistent characters more clearly.
Edit for Structure First
Before polishing sentences, fix the story. Does the plot hold together? Is the pacing right — not too slow in the middle, not rushed at the end? Are character motivations clear and consistent?
Consider a chapter-by-chapter outline to see the arc at a glance.
Tighten Dialogue and Prose
Dialogue should sound natural and reveal character. Remove filler words, repeated phrases, and overwrought descriptions. Show rather than tell where it strengthens the scene.
Then Hire a Professional
Self-editing has limits. A professional fiction editor brings an objective eye to plot, pacing, and character development. Choose an editor who reads your genre.