How to edit your own writing

In a perfect world, you’ll always have a brilliant, detail-oriented, thoughtful editor who can dissect your work and give you quick, incisive feedback on every word you write.

In the real world, we’re often left scrambling to improve our own work and praying we catch all the stupid typos we’ve made.

When you, too, inevitably find yourself in this position, here are some simple tips for editing your own work.

Put it in a drawer.

Editing your own writing can feel like listening to your own voice on a tape recorder — it’s an awkward experience that makes many cringe. Because of this phenomenon, one of the very best self-editing techniques is to put as much distance between yourself and your work as you can.

When possible, try putting your work aside overnight before giving it a strong edit. By the time you return to  it, the words will feel less personal and more expendable.

But you don’t always have the luxury of being able to wait overnight. If that’s the case, step away from the work for as long as you can. Give yourself over a break over lunch or while you take a quick walk. Even a small distance from your work can help you see it with fresh eyes.

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