The Writer's Cookbook

I used to hate editing. Like, going to the dentist and getting a filling level of hatred.I could just about tolerate editing someone else's work. That was akin to getting a small filling with no anaesthesia.But editing my own work? That was getting a massive filling where you could feel the vibrations from the drill reverberating through your skull. Shudder.Unfortunately, because I didn't plan What Happens in New York as extensively as I thought I had, it needed extensive editing. I ended up spending more time editing it than I did writing it. Because I spent one month writing and about 10 months editing, I eventually learned to like it. And, occasionally, I find myself enjoying editing my own work.Putting finger to keys and starting a first draft of a new project is still my favourite part of the writing process, but I don't dread the editing process as much as I used to.Like it or not, editing is a key part of the writing process. No book is perfect after the first draft. That's why editing is so perfect.Here's five self-editing tips to get you started. / READ MORE /