Writers like editing at first, when we’re all shiny and new to the process. We like saying “I’m editing.” because it means “I’ve finished something.” and that is so awesome we can barely stand it. But the shine wears off real fast, like after you’ve rewritten the same damn manuscript for the fifth time. (And you better not say you edit once and publish or I have a neck-punch just for you.)
This is not an article on how to edit. You’ve heard all that shit, and I’m not about to add to the confusion. Cross your t’s, dot your i’s, take out those ly’s and make sure your character doesn’t talk to her inner goddess a bazillion times and you’ve got a pretty good handle on what you’re doing.
How we know when we’re done editing? I know there’s always something that could be changed, but how does an author determine when she’s done all that she can do before submitting a manuscript to agents and publishers.
Just ask yourself a few questions and your answer will be almost clear.
How many times have you revised the work?
There’s no magic number, but if you’ve gone over it once or twice, then I’d say you’re not done yet. Why? Proper revision requires different types of editing so you catch every stupid mistake before moving on to the heavier stuff. These revisions can’t be done together, or you're likely to overlook something. First, there’s the basic check for spelling and punctuation. This often takes two passes (for me anyway). Don’t trust your spellchecker either. It won’t catch where you typed butt instead of but, or this instead of thin. You have to go through line by line to catch this stuff.
How many people outside of your friends and family have read the work?
None? You’re not done yet. One? Nope. Three? Closer. I like the rule of three, but twice. What? I'll explain. I edit until I can’t do it anymore. Then I send the manuscript to at least three readers. (no family, no close friends) When I get that feedback, I revise at least two more times to change what I need to and to correct any spelling, etc. that results from those changes. Then I send it to at least three more readers (different ones than the first time). Yes, I edit after those readers as well. It’s better to use as many beta readers as you can, because this way you’re getting a number of tastes, skillsets and experience. Some readers are uncanny for picking out sketchy dialogue, while others are grammar Nazis able to catch even the most minor of errors. A precious few are able to pick out plot holes and areas where the tension plummets. You need this because you, the writer, won’t pick up on a lot of these things yourself. It’s not that you don’t have the skill to know good writing from bad, it’s that you’re too close to the writing to see what’s really there.
So what are we at now? At least…four revisions. That's really underestimating too. Ouch.
Have you set it aside?
No matter how many times you go over it, you must try to set the work aside for at least a few months. I promise that you’ll go back with fresh eyes and see stuff you didn’t before. I’ve been submitting three manuscripts religiously for the past year. I couldn’t make any headway on them. So, I stopped. I hadn’t looked at them since the final edit before I started querying, so the other day I pulled one out.
The first three pages had so many problems I nearly cried. This is what I’ve been submitting? No wonder I got rejected. I revised all three manuscripts two more times. I’m sure I could do it again, but I hate them all at this point, so they’re done.
Which brings me to the last question:
Do you hate it yet?
If you want to cry at the thought of reading one more word, if you hate the characters more than your neighbors or if you’ve started having panic attacks just opening your Word program, then it’s time to stop. Either pass the manuscript to a professional editor before you self-publish it, or bite the bullet and submit it to publishers/agents. If you find you’re not getting any bites after a few months, take it out again. You might need to keep on editing.
So how do you know when you’re done editing? You’re never done, but at some point your gut tells you it’s time to stop. Listen to it, buy a straightjacket, and accept the fact that one manuscript could require more than a couple of rounds, with several revisions in each, before you get that magical email that says “We like it.”
So how do you know when you’re done editing? You’re never done, but at some point your gut tells you it’s time to stop. Listen to it, buy a straightjacket, and accept the fact that one manuscript could require more than a couple of rounds, with several revisions in each, before you get that magical email that says “We like it.”