Self-Editing Your Novel: Tips from an Editor

Finished NaNoWriMo, wrote a novel, and now you don't know what to do next? It's time to self-edit your book! Revising that first draft can be so intimidating. Here are my tips, as an editor, to help you make the most of the self-editing process.

⌛ Timestamps:
+ Three tips BEFORE you self-edit your novel:
2:19 - Write your marketing copy.
4:19 - Get curious.
7:52 - Honor the writer you are.
+ Three tips WHILE you are self-editing your novel:
10:04 - Create a book map.
10:40 - Give yourself permission to tune out the grammar police.
11:40 - Cut out unnecessary words.

Resources mentioned:
+ Cheryl Klein's book, SECOND SIGHT
+ My video on cutting out unnecessary words:

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Twitter - @molliereads

🏷 Tags:
Editing,writing,author,authortube,editor tips,writing advice,writing tips,publishing,nanowrimo,self editing,editing my book,novel writing,editing advice

[skijumpnose]

" I work with my words but talk with my hands" I love that! That is sheer poetry there Mollie

[maryodonnell]

Personally, I love coming back to my novel after a while! Rereading it has always been so fun for me!

[desertgecko]

2:19 Writing marketing materials is something I'd not heard before, but I see how this can work, can be a meter. Brilliant idea.
10:04 Creating a book outline _after_ completing the first draft is also quite clever. I'm a pantser who follows a lengthy synopsis, so I've never properly outlined a story, much less a book. Mapping the plot with an outline will now be my first step, a post-draft, pre-revisions intermediary. What a simple yet effective way to recognize and correct plot holes, dangling threads or characters, sloppy transitions, and more. Again, brilliant.

_Who ARE you?_

[angeliquerenteria]

Apparently I missed your last vlog because uh, YOU’RE BACK?! Yay! I actually checked your account a few months back to see if you had uploaded without me knowing, lol

[______Daniel]

Knew I was going to love this video 3 minutes in. (Kind of knew with the coziness and Christmas tree and coffee, because that’s a kind soul right there). Thanks!

[mdshazedulhaqkhan]

I am a fiction writer from Bangladesh with a few published books. However I still struggle while editing my novels. This video was helpful. Many thanks.

[mdaniels]

Being told it is better to have less words than too many words was important to hear. I was worried I was hakcing my book to pieces, but it seems I am on the correct path removing words like "then, just, that, etc"

[Marie_Garwood]

SUCH a helpful video!! Thank you, Mollie!

[kpro]

Wow, just subbed. Thank you so much for this video. I am a brand new book author and your perspective is so valuable. Thank you again! The story (I finished my first draft) was a blast, like beyond what I could have expected. I agree, the editing will be the hard work. :)

[anthonycosentino]

Self editing journey? Everything has to be a journey on YouTube?? Every video I gotta hear the word Journey!!

[MKReads]

Hi Mollie, so glad you are back! Since having a child, I've had to stop taking classes but much of what I took was geared to literature in general and not writing or editing. Do you have recommendations for online classes that might help with writing and editing? Maybe online certificates?

[keerthipavuluri]

So so useful and smoothly explained, thank you so much ❤️❤️

[BackReign]

Great video! I subscribed and followed you in Instagram. Thank you for taking the time to create this video. It was very though-provoking.

[urfavegemini]

Me watching this whilst still planning my book haha! Best be prepared🙏 brains thirsty for knowledge

[LeahTVdotcom]

This gives me a idea; but it’s not the whole book, it’s just a part I am having a big problem with. Aloha from Maui. Leah Tunkara

[bonaventureBarry]

Great advices😮, needed to hear that.🙏

[writingwithchrist]

Here is my pitch: Have you ever wanted to rule a country? What about a country with dragons, dark mages, and war at each boarder? What about a country with vast wealth inequalities per region? Have you ever wanted to be a King of a land like this? If not, you and Gordon may have more in common than you think.

[vitaminshepherd]

Is Cheryl Klein's book on SEcond Sight good for general writing like memoirs, or just for children's and young adult's books?

[Nik-dcti]

I left my manuscript 2 years and I'm finally ready to edit

[Nix_life]

I really like camera. What type of camera did you use? Or it's because of the filter? Thank you : )))