Literature & Writing

The Craft of Editing a Manuscript

A writer describes the painful but necessary work of editing the first draft of a novel.

B29 min

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1Finishing the first draft of a novel is only half of the job.

2Most good writers know that the real work begins when they start editing the draft.

3First, they read the whole manuscript and look for weak scenes and slow chapters.

4Then they cut every sentence and every paragraph that does not move the story forward.

5An editor once told me to remove my favourite chapter completely from the book.

6I argued with her for a week, but in the end she was right.

7The novel became shorter, faster, and far more honest after that difficult change.

8Many professional writers read their work aloud so they can catch unnatural dialogue and clumsy rhythms.

9They also give the manuscript to trusted friends who promise to be honest.

10Editing is painful, but it turns a rough draft into a real book.

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