Self-editing is the secret weapon of great writers. It’s what turns a messy first draft into a polished, compelling story that captivates readers.
But editing your own work can be brutal. When you’re too close to your writing, it’s hard to see the flaws. That’s why having a structured self-editing process is critical.
I’m breaking it down into a self-editing checklist that makes editing manageable and effective—so your manuscript is the best it can be before a professional editor ever touches it.
Why self-editing matters
Think of self editing as your first line of defense. If your manuscript is riddled with typos, grammatical errors, or awkward sentence fragments, a professional editing service will spend time fixing what you could have corrected yourself. That means they’ll have less time to focus on developmental editing, where they refine plot, structure, and pacing.
Solid self editing not only saves you money, but it also makes your work shine—whether you’re pitching to agents, self-publishing, or submitting articles.
Fun fact: Ernest Hemingway rewrote the last page of A Farewell to Arms 47 times before he was satisfied. Editing is where the magic happens.
The self-editing checklist
1. Give your manuscript a break
Before diving into copy editing, step away from your draft. Give it at least a week—two if you can. This creates distance, so you can approach your writing with fresh eyes. Writers who skip this step often miss obvious grammar mistakes because their brain autocorrects the text.
📌 Tip: Stephen King recommends putting your manuscript in a drawer for six weeks before looking at it again.
2. Focus on big-picture edits first
Don’t waste time nitpicking spelling mistakes if your story has major plot holes. Start with macro edits, also known as developmental editing. Ask yourself:
- Does the writing process flow logically from start to finish?
- Are there any scenes that drag or feel unnecessary?
- Are your characters fully developed, with clear motivations?
- Does each sentence drive the story forward?
📌 Tip: Print out your manuscript and read it like a Microsoft Word document. Seeing it in a different format can help you catch issues faster.
3. Tighten your prose
Once your story structure is solid, zoom in on sentence-level edits. Good writing is clear, concise, and impactful. Here’s how to tighten your prose:
✅ Cut filler words (e.g., “She nodded her head” → “She nodded”)
✅ Remove unnecessary words (just, very, actually, really)
✅ Eliminate passive voice — use active voice instead (“The book was read by her” → “She read the book”)
✅ Replace weak verbs with strong ones (“walked slowly” → “strolled”)
✅ Avoid info dumps—trust your reader to pick up on details organically
📌 Tip: Use the “Find” function (Ctrl+F) in your Microsoft Word document to search for words like that, just, really, very, suddenly and remove them where possible.
4. Read your work aloud
This is one of the most effective self editing tips—yet so many content or fiction writers skip it. Reading your work aloud forces you to slow down, making it easier to catch awkward phrasing, clunky dialogue, and repetitive sentence structures. It’s easier to catch a missed mistake when reading from a fresh perspective.
📌 Tip: Use text-to-speech software or have a beta reader read your manuscript aloud to you. You’ll hear things you never noticed before.
5. Check for consistency
Inconsistencies pull readers out of the story. Make sure you’ve kept details straight:
- Are your character names, ages, and descriptions consistent?
- Do dates, timelines, and locations make sense?
- Did you change a character’s eye color halfway through the book?
📌 Tip: Keep a “story bible” where you track important details about your characters, settings, and plot points.
6. Cut the clichés
Clichés weaken your writing skills. Readers don’t want “cold as ice” or “light as a feather.” They want original, vivid descriptions that make them feel something.
📌 Tip: If a phrase sounds familiar, rewrite it in a way that’s fresh and unique. Instead of “She was nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs”, try “Her hands trembled as she gripped the microphone.”
7. Fix your dialogue
Dialogue should sound natural—not robotic. Here’s what to watch for:
✅ Avoid info-dumping (characters shouldn’t explain things they already know)
✅ Use contractions (“I am going to the store” → “I’m going to the store”)
✅ Cut excessive dialogue tags (“he said, she said”—use action beats instead)
✅ Ensure each character has a distinct voice
📌 Tip: Read your dialogue aloud or act it out. If it sounds unnatural, rewrite it.
8. Look for overused words and phrases
We all have filler words we lean on too much. Here are some common culprits:
- Just
- That
- Really
- Actually
- Suddenly
- Literally
📌 Tip: Use a style guide or a word frequency counter (like ProWritingAid or Grammarly) to find your most overused words.
9. Proofread for grammar, spelling, and typos
After all your major edits, do a final proofread. Even small spelling mistakes can make your writing look unpolished.
✅ Run spell-check, but don’t rely on it
✅ Watch out for grammar errors (their/they’re/there, your/you’re)
✅ Look for missing words—our brains tend to fill them in automatically
📌 Tip: Change the font and background color of your text while proofreading. This tricks your brain into seeing it differently, making grammar mistakes stand out.
10. Get a second opinion
At some point, you need outside feedback. No matter how well you self-edit, you will miss things.
✅ Beta readers: Regular readers who provide general feedback
✅ Critique partners: Fellow fiction writers who analyze structure and craft
✅ Professional editors: If you’re publishing, hiring an editor is a must
📌 Tip: Give beta readers a list of questions to guide their feedback. Ask them what confused or bored them, rather than just “Did you like it?”
Final thoughts
Self-editing isn’t just about fixing grammar mistakes—it’s about making your writing as sharp and compelling as possible. The more you refine your manuscript, the stronger your final product will be.
Editing takes time, but trust me—it’s worth it. A well-edited book is what separates amateur fiction writing from professional storytelling.
Now, grab your red pen and start refining. Your future readers will thank you.
