Editor Helga Schier Explains How to Self-Edit a Book Manuscript

Editing your own work can be an arduous and painstaking task. Not every writer is cut out for it. For some writers, editing is their favorite part of the writing process. In this video, editor Helga Schier teaches how to edit your own manuscript using the three levels of editing. Schier acknowledges that self-editing a book manuscript is worthwhile because hiring an editor is not an inexpensive endeavor. If, though, you plan to edit a manuscript yourself, she has a few recommendations. First, she advises writers to put their first draft in a drawer for a bit after it’s completed. This will give them a chance to take a break from the manuscript and read other authors’ work. In fact, she suggests that writers actively read books and flag sections they liked. This practice of “flagging” passages that create a positive emotional reaction will help you recognize what you like. Then she says to go back to your book and flag your own work. “Those things,” says Schier, “are the base layer of your manuscript that won’t change.” Then she says to read your manuscript three more times, each time corresponding to the three levels of readability or editing tasks. First, look for content issues, then style and voice issues, and finally grammar issues. Flag each of these things and then revise everything.

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[thatssogabby]

flagging things you like in your manuscript is such a good idea, i'm so glad it was shared here. i've never thought to do this before

[susie]

I was curious as to how editing advice could be given in 3.5 minutes and was delighted to see Ms. Schier exceed my expectations. I like her idea.

[robbiegarnz]

This is literally the first video that didn’t try to convince me I have to spend 5000$ to get my book edited! Thank you!!

[voidsword]

Wow, great advice.
I really hate editing my work, but with this streamlined process it seems less daunting.

[Cottage-Reader]

Best 3 minutes I had all day. She was direct and to the point, Thanks for these tips. I wonder what editing book Ms. Helga would recommend.🤔

[Oddy]

I have been enlightened. Thank u for this advice! It is truly invaluable

[nOtseven]

I am mainly reading works online but I have been flagging as she has recommended by screenshotting a section, highlighting dialogue, emotion, setting, anything that catches my eye and that I love or would like to reference when I am trying to figure out a scene in my ms. I am still in the middle of editing the order of my ms but once complete, I will read through as she instructs. Thanks for this video!

[joanwarren]

Thank you, Helga! I’ve just finished the first self-edit reading and I am so glad you told us to flag the positives! It helped me not trash the whole thing!! 😱😅 It also helped me read through faster, getting the “feel” of the book as a whole. Now for content issues. . .

[adityasaxena]

Thanks a lot ma'am, your advice is very helpful!

[barrykelly]

Very good advice. I am having trouble staying focused. My brain knows where I am going but my ink isnt moving. Lol
Excellent points. Thanks.

[keerthipavuluri]

Wow, I just found wt I really wanted, it has cleared all my confusions.

[JonathanCrossland]

Nice to hear proper advice from someone with experience, rather than young wannabe youtube writers.

[AutumnAprodithe]

Every chapter i write in my manuscript looks like a long draft and im upset because the novel I want to publish have such an original story.

[helenarichard]

I just revised 230 pages of my 300 p book. It was so much fun and everything is going great. One big problem. My book is supposed to be two parts and part two hasn't even started. I realised I am going to have to write so much more. Or not?

[jasonleech]

Do you see scale as an issue for this process. Or is it a case of do what has to done.

[AJ-oceh]

or, you can ask a few trusted friends who are honest, avid readers to proofread it...then re-ready it a dozen times instead of just 3 times

[JamesSaintRave]

I have to disagree Helga, respectfully. I believe you must trust in your own writing skills--if you must look to other writers for inspiration then only look to ONE--Ernest Hemingway--read his stories over and over and you will learn how to fashion a clean writing skill--having the imagination to produce an exciting, entertaining story is not teachable.