How to self-edit your manuscript

Sometimes it's hard to know where to start when it's time to edit your completed manuscript. Here's my process!
VIDEOS MENTIONED:
What to do when you finish your manuscript: • WRITING TIPS: So you f...
Understanding the Different Types of Edits: • Understanding the Diff...
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[@thejanemaree]

Yess! This editing method is THE BEST. I used to do it differently, but I basically do the same as this now. I also like to write a full novel synopsis so I can easily have a big picture glimpse at what the changes are going to look like and what they’ll affect and whether I actually like them before working them into the novel itself.

[@SeanCookeWriting]

I like to edit with deconstruction but I've never thought about going through it one character at a time, rather than all characters at once. That's definitely going to help with my current editing. Thanks!

[@NadineBrandes]

Yay! I hope it does help! It's worked wonders for me!

[@travisnelson4840]

Very helpful thank you

[@naomiandbooks]

Oh, such a good video! I'll definitely have to keep this in mind next time I have a project that I need to seriously edit. I have just been going through it continuously to fix things as I go, but your way sounds a lot less stressful, haha! Thanks for sharing!

[@NadineBrandes]

I'm so glad it was helpful! And yes, breaking it down like this helps with the stress a TON!

[@ACyrrock004]

Thank you for this video. I have been working on four manuscripts but struggle with the editing process. I always go back and rewrite and go back and rewrite. It's never good enough. I mean, even when it reads well for other people, I am still not satisfied. I paid an editor but was unhappy with the results (because I love writing dialogue, and it still wasn't good enough for me even though again, other people liked it). Enough venting. Thanks again.

[@jeannybermudez1612]

This video is so helpful! Thank you! I'm just starting to edit my ms, and to be honest, I don't really have the patience to go through one thing at a time 😂 I'm kind of fixing the problems chapter by chapter and quite slowly, I hope to get better at this with time. Thanks again for the video! Also, your baby is soo cute!!

[@NadineBrandes]

Haha it does take a lot of patience but I've always found it so worth it! Happy editing!

[@oliviagiordano5987]

This was insanely helpful. Thank you so much! I also had a question...not necessarily about editing, but how do you go about character arcs? I know how they work, but I was sort of curious with how much you map out (or don't) when you're planning how your characters change.

[@NadineBrandes]

I'm so glad this was helpful! When tackling character arcs I don't map out a ton. I usually just make sure I know where I want the character to start and where I want them to end. Then as I write toward that goal their arc happens a bit naturally and I fine-tune it as I continue to go through the manuscript.

[@barrykelly2722]

Like 150. Great advice. Any time I think about novels and my delusions of notoriety, I think of Owen Lyft from Throw Momma from the Train.

[@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE]

Hi Nadine👋 I'm totally with the idea of putting a manuscript aside for a time. In my case, I was writing an anthology. By the time I finished, it had been nearly a year since I started the first story. I'm guessing a YEAR is sufficient time to go back and edit the first story. Do you recommend that 'second pair of eyes' when it comes to editing? I just don't want to get through the project, publish it and then see a whole lot of glaring errors I skimmed over. At the same time, I don't have a passel of money to be spending on an editor.

[@a.c.3318]

Thank you so much for this video! It was super helpful :D I do have a question that's sort of related to editing: how do you go about outlining before the first draft? Do you go really in-depth or just let the story come out naturally?

[@consistentlychristy2991]

Cute baby! How do you objectively identify strengths and weaknesses?

[@mckenziestaley9063]

I was wondering, do you print off your manuscript or do you tend to stick to your computer screen?

[@NadineBrandes]

I always print off my manuscript! I like reading it on paper and it gives me a much better perspective.