How to Edit Your Own Fiction

If you enjoy writing fiction, you know the creative high it gives. You feel like a free spirit--You get to create your own world, complete with you own characters and setting. You move characters you create either forward or backwards, making things happen or stand still. But if you want an editor to read beyond the first few lines, then you must follow some set guidelines to make sure your writing won't be dumped in the slush pile. Here are some pointers to keep in mind when you're writing your story.

Before we review them, remember that it's best not to over edit your piece as you go. First, let your creative juices flow, unhindered, jotting down your plot and other ideas. Then write your first rough draft. After that, take out your blue pencil and...

*Show--don't tell--Instead of telling us that "Julie was cynical", say, "Julie rolled her eyes as her mother began her lecture." Too often writers fall into the trap of telling more than showing. It takes more work to show than to tell, but your writing is much more alive when you let your characters act out what you want to tell about them. True, there are times when you need to "tell"----a piece that just "shows" without telling is not readable either. Telling does have its place as it's an opportunity to fill the reader in on needed background.

*Use adverbs and adjectives sparingly. Get out your blue pencil and start circling, all those unnecessary adverbs and adjectives, crossing out the ones that clutter up your writing. Most of all, get rid of all those useless "-ly" words. For example, "She ran quickly" slows down the pace of your story. If a character runs, it's usually quickly. Replace those "-ly" adverbs with strong verbs, letting your them do the leg work.

*Use exclamatory sentences sparingly. Nothing looks more amateurish than exclamation marks ending just about every sentence. If you want to look like a teenage girl writing notes to her friends, make most of your sentences exclamatory. In other words, only use exclamation marks only when necessary. For example, of course you'd write "Fire!" rather than "Fire."