My 5 Phases of Editing a Manuscript

I’m a big believer that editing is more important than writing. The assemblage of ideas into a first draft of fiction or nonfiction is tough, but it’s only the first  step down a long road toward publication. So, I realize editors are the gatekeepers to ensuring the best opportunity for publication. Beginning with the end in mind, a solid editing process is business-like, emotionless and keeps in mind the eventual goal: publication and purchase by a consumer (if that is, indeed, your goal).

My goal is put horizons and actual markers on this so you can look at your calendar and figure out how to fit this process into your schedule. So, let’s start with a basic tenet: you can write 2,000 words in, say, four hours. Then it takes 160 hours to get the 80,000-word first draft done. That 160 hours is four work weeks, or one month. Suddenly, NaNoWriMo makes sense, right? ;)

With that in mind, here’s what happens once I finish a first draft. For the sake of discussion, I’m using the aforementioned 80,000-word fiction manuscript as the example. I’ve broken this down by task, the number of actual days or hours needed to accomplish the task and the number of times needed to repeat the task:

1. Wait. Save the file or let the thing sit somewhere for a while. Now, if I’m on deadline for a newspaper story, then this waiting goes from days to minutes. But even then, I have to get my mind off the subject for a while and then come back to it. For almost anything that’s not on a deadline, I wait between one and two weeks. I’m trying to quell that enthusiasm that I have for a first draft. After all, that “enthusiasm” is bias; a champion for the first draft. That bias needs to be tamped down by the pragmatism distance brings. A week allows the bias to ebb considerably and for me to edit without the championing voices in my head egging me on to make poor choices in the editing process. During this time, feel free to move on to something else, like another story or paintball. Time needed: Varies but 1 week to 1 month | Repeats: zero
2. Spelling and Grammar. Sure, use the spell check feature in the word processor. When that’s done, print out the entire manuscript on bond paper, single sided and go through with a red pen and find the spelling and grammar flaws. The spell check capability will miss words. It will change words. However, for about 70 percent of what you’ll want to accomplish the spell check is fine. Be aware, however, that the spell check also does something awful: it weakens that involuntary muscle you use while you’re creating your first draft that catches spelling and grammar mistakes on the fly. So, going through the manuscript with your eyeballs and marking it up ensures you exercise the muscle memory while building it as you go. Also, do this review reading from front to back and back to front. Time needed: 20-24 hours | Repeats: 1-2
3. Style and Continuity. Look, if you use the number 8 instead of the word ‘eight,’ fine. Just be consistent throughout the manuscript. A publishing house or agent will correct you later. However, do find a style to follow. There are a few. I follow Associated Press style because that’s what I’ve used professionally for almost my entire career. It ensures I’m consistent with things like city names, numbers, military ranks and unusual words like knickknack. This is also the time to ensure a character you created at the start of the story has the same name at the end of the story. I change or forget names of characters all the time. Finally, don’t forget to ensure your time line is consistent (sunrises, sunsets, evenings, mornings, and so on). Just be consistent from start to finish. Time needed: 24-30 hours | Repeats: 1-2
4. Macro Edit … Again and Again. This is the big picture edit. Did I write the story you wanted? Does it hit all the themes or goals I had in mind? Does the foreshadowing in the first act play out later on in the book? Is the writing solid or not? You get the idea. This is the time for deep think and reflection. I’ll move sections. I’ll rewrite passages. I’ll create new characters. I’ll change day to night. And so on. You’ll probably spend the most time here. Time Needed: 30-40 hours | Repeats: 4-5
5. Send to Beta Reader(s). And bear in mind that you are on their schedule. I realize that having a beta reader is a privilege. Having several is the best, as I can move stories from one person to another and ensure they don’t grow used to my style of writing. Avoid close friends. Avoid relatives. Time Needed: varies but five days to two months | Repeats: varies, but 1-3 should do.

So, we have a foundation for an editing schedule:

• Potential minimum time spent editing (weeks plus hours): 6 weeks (About two months)
• Potential maximum time spent editing (weeks plus hours): 24 weeks (six months)
• Total time spent writing and editing before query process: 10 to 34 weeks.

A finished, ready-to-query book in 10 weeks? You mileage will vary, of course based on your life, children, weather, spouses, and a litany of other things. Some writers are faster than others. However, I don’t think you can go much lower unless you’re a full-time, no kidding writer stuffed in a loft drinking Red Bull bashing away on your MacBook with blazing multitasking skills. And really, what that means is you’ve built up those involuntary writing muscles to catch things as you go and ‘multitask’ during the editing steps. And yes, I know you’re out there.

Further, it doesn’t hurt to have a roommate, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, partner or well-read dog to look over the manuscript, either. Look along the chain of events that gets ideas from the brain to a Barnes and Noble sale rack; the process is not a solitary one. Plus, throwing something or someone random but helpful into the process keeps my interest.

In my mind, the writing should not take longer than the editing. Editing expands. Editing unites. Editing pares, trims and shapes. Ultimately, editing turns a draft into a book. It’s emotionless, business-like and keeps your goals in mind.

What do you think?

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