Summary of "Unlock Your Inner Editor with these 12 Strategies"
Key Wellness Strategies, Self-Care Techniques, and Productivity Tips for Editing Your Manuscript
Text Transplant
- Extract specific elements (e.g., chapter titles, metaphors, dialogue) into a separate file to view and evaluate them independently.
- Helps identify clichés, weak spots, or standout content for revision or retention.
Sensory Scan
- Review chapters to check which of the five senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, smell) are used.
- Add missing sensory details to create a more immersive experience for readers.
Scissor Shuffle
- Print and physically cut your manuscript into sections or scenes.
- Rearrange these to experiment with non-chronological storytelling and identify unnecessary or weak scenes.
First and Last Paragraph Focus
- Pay special attention to the beginnings and endings of chapters, as these are crucial for reader engagement.
- Isolate these sections to ensure they hook the reader and encourage continued reading.
Godfather Story
- Identify a successful book similar to yours as a structural model.
- Compare elements like scene types, character count, and chapter structure to inform your editing.
Blank Page Rewrite
- For difficult sections, try rewriting them from scratch in a new file without reusing old phrases.
- This can reveal new insights and improve clarity or conciseness.
Word Cloud Analysis
- Use word cloud tools to visualize frequently used words.
- Identify and remove “empty calorie” words (e.g., “something”) to tighten prose.
Snow Blindness Awareness
- Recognize that over-familiarity with your manuscript can blind you to errors.
- Combat this by changing margins, font, font size, and line spacing to refresh your perspective.
- Also, take breaks and revisit the manuscript after time away.
Proxy Polish
- Edit someone else’s work to sharpen your critical eye.
- Apply insights gained to your own manuscript for better self-editing.
First Look Strategy
- Start editing sessions with neglected or less polished chapters instead of always beginning at chapter one.
- Helps balance attention and improve weaker parts of the manuscript.
Adverb Auction
- Identify and remove unnecessary adverbs to strengthen sentences.
- Trust readers to understand context without being over-explained.
Read Aloud for Developmental Editing
- Read your manuscript aloud to catch big-picture issues like pacing, tension, and engagement, not just small errors.
- Use this as a tool for developmental edits, not just copyediting.
Additional Tip
For high-quality book printing, consider using Print Nation for superior cover and interior options such as foil detailing and glossy pages.
Presenter/Source
John (presumed from references in the text) from Book Fox (copy editing service mentioned)
Category
Wellness and Self-Improvement
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