Know When to Edit and When to Write
Thanks for joining!
Over the next seven days, I'll email you video and email lessons for mastering the art of self-editing.
First up, in case you missed it, here's the tip I shared with you earlier this week:
When editing:
- Pick a second or third draft of an article or book chapter
- Change the format of your work to Courier and the font size to 12 or 14
- Set the spacing to 1.5 or double!
- Print it out (we can plant trees to atone for the environment later on)
- Go somewhere quiet, preferably away from your computer or the internet
- Read it aloud
- Write your edits with red pen in the spaces between sentences
This video explains why (and what your manuscript will look like).
Don't worry, I won't leave you with an old tip on day one!
Separate Writing and Editing
I'd you to separate writing and editing into different activities. You can write in the morning and edit in the evening (what I do). Or you can write on Mondays and edit on Tuesdays and so on.
Commit to a writing and self-editing routine that works. Just don't combine both activities. They're like water and oil.
Editing will get in the way of writing a difficult first draft, while aiming for a word-count will interfere with revising your manuscript. If you're struggling to find time to write (or edit), this article might help.
Need Help?
With today's tip out of the way, I'd like you to book a coaching call with me.
We'll edit a piece of your non-fiction writing live over the phone (500 words). If more students join the course, I won't be able to offer this level of service as I'll burn out. So...
Write on,
Bryan Collins
PS If you're not quite ready to book the call, you can go back and use this link at the end of the course.
Or you can email me a short sample of your writing and I'll send you some feedback. Please note, I specialise in non-fiction writing (articles, blog posts, book extracts etc).
Tomorrow, I'll send you a brand new tip.
PPS Why did you join this course? Hit reply and let me know.