How To Self-Edit Your Novel (My Current Process!)

[@VivienReis]

Girl, you just motivated me to edit a scene tonight. I was totally about to go to bed without editing at all today but you got me!

[@AuthorKristenMartin]

+Vivien Reis Good! This video did its job then :)

[@antsholland757]

What are you doing in this comment section 😱😮😂?!?

[@VivienReis]

Omg! You caught me! (sprints away)

[@antsholland757]

Vivien Reis *Theoden's voice* "You have no power here...."

[@lovetownsend]

omg watching this in 2023 is giving me nostalgia, i watched some of ur vids YEARS ago and saw this suggested

[@johnnyboy2411]

The best self editing video I've seen thus far!

[@sailorman449]

I have been a writer for years, but not until recently, have I published one of my books. My wife's idea. The editing process is painful. However, I have found some tools that have helped me immensely. In MS Word is "Text to speech." Highlight a section, click the icon, and it will read it back to you. The voice lacks expression, but it helps. Grammarly program picks up grammar errors, but it's not perfect. I would say 75% effective. Word will, sometimes, find errors Grammarly misses. My input, for what it's worth...........

[@AuthorKristenMartin]

Thanks for this! I always like learning new tricks since I write in Word :)

[@MartaWeeks]

Dear💐Kristen Martin, as a new author I absolutely love and admire excellent authors like you who not only write amazing book but, selflessly, share your how you make your books totally engaging. Thank you!

[@WittleDabidsPlayCation]

Thank you Kristen!! This is so helpful as I can't afford a professional editor for my debut novel.

[@samsonwaidande1997]

Hi Kristen, Your advice was really helpful and came at a time when I was revising and editing my novel for the umpteenth time. You look beautiful and I think an angel plucked a feather and just blessed you by brushing past your right shoulder.

[@kimberlyburks]

I hope you feel better and have worked things out.

[@jessicataylor1805]

I do the same thing you do. I edit while am writing the novel. I usually write about five or six chapters at a time and then go back through and edit things. But I never thought to use highlighters when editing. So thank you for that tip.

[@AuthorKristenMartin]

Happy it helped! ♡

[@oldproji]

My editing plan after the first draft is 1. line edit. 2 .grammar edit - e.g. get rid of all the sticky sentences and passive voice and fix punctuation. 3. Go through the manuscript and get rid of all redundant words. 4. Add and improve if needed. It works for me.

[@lonelyarethedead]

Thanks, Kristen.

[@desirepretorius6971]

I know this video was probably posted a long time ago, but, it's a really great video. Thank you, it inspired me to go and sit down, and just work ok my novel. Also, you're a person that speaks with your eyes, you said you went through some things, I can see it... even though it was probably a while back, good for you for standing strong. Thanks for your amazing videos Kristen.

[@hjsjshhd216]

Thank you for this video! I am currently working on my 2nd short story. I need to edit my first one except, its hard for me because i am emotionally involved with my story. It all makes perfect sence to me. I need to have it done because i belive this manuscript would make an amazing motion picture, indeed a story that our world could really use...!

[@brianbowen5405]

I appreciate all of your help you inspire me and I hope to be a great writer and author some day

[@jacquelineevans2801]

The best editing video I have watched, thank you. Subscribed!

[@AuthorKristenMartin]

That means a lot!! Thank you!

[@CaramelCarm]

great video. i really needed this since nanowrimo just ended

[@jackiec8424]

at 4:45 you: talking about distractions.... me: gets distracted by floating feather like object hahahahah thank you for your videos, they really help.

[@AuthorKristenMartin]

🤣🤣

[@sheargatru]

Yeah, that was awesome! Haha!

[@NCC1371]

So if someone is trying to publish something how much power do the agent or company have in editing in terms of changing major aspects of the story?

[@yvonnewilliamsandanalyse8709]

Love love love writing

[@mizdiva11]

I don't have a printer so it there another way I can edit my novel?

[@kaidrewry4378]

Nice tips... waiting for more videos

[@AuthorKristenMartin]

I have plenty 😊 Take your pick!

[@dorotheemackenbach4808]

Very helpful, thank you.

[@AuthorKristenMartin]

Thanks for watching!

[@jupitermom4754]

Read your scenes out loud to yourself. Makes a huge difference because you have somewhat of an idea of how a reader would comprehend your work - especially if you have dialect in your dialogue that grammar software would attempt to correct.

[@lesliesanker381]

Thank you for this. Great info, easy and fun! What color codes do you use with highlighting your notes?

[@jeaneehart309]

Found this exactly one year from the day it was published. :-)

[@AuthorKristenMartin]

♡♡

[@anthonyperry7296]

Thank you

[@TheSelfPublishingAgency]

The dreaded editing phase is right! These are awesome tips on how writers can save money and time, before they hire a pro. Well done Kristen!

[@eebcontent]

Where did you go to print out your manuscript?

[@AuthorKristenMartin]

I actually have a pretty nice printer in my home office, so I did it there, but I believe you can go to Kinkos/FedEx/Staples and they can print for you.

[@AustinThomasFilms]

I went to staples to do mine, it was sorta pricey but worth it in my opinion.

[@paulmulryne8405]

This is great. I've just started this process. So far, I've mostly written SDT (show don't tell) and ID (info dump) 😂

[@alishalegrand6139]

I thought it was the only one that does codes when editing but I guess not are you Smoove know all sorts of codes like that when I am editing my books

[@ejwrites1]

Do you have any tips for when it comes to revising a story? I'm in that process now with the first book of a saga and I'm now at a point where I have to add a lot because I'm taking a lot out and I'm kinda lost :(

[@LuisETorresDávila]

Another code I would suggest is PH (Plot hole)

[@AuthorKristenMartin]

Great one! I will definitely add this to my list. :)

[@darkscarlet1012]

I don't know if I should change this in my book, I was writing a Conversation between two characters, in the middle of the conversation I realized that I didn't mention the other characters name. So then I wrote "I forgot to ask.... What's your name?" Then he answers, she says hers, he said he knows, she asked how, he doesn't answer and continues the story that he was telling. Should I change this? Does it make sense?

[@judithbierwolf4494]

Darkscarlet 101 What I learned (slowly and painfully😅) is to not be lazy. You can't fix things when you already made the mistake, readers will sense you did it and that it is kind of an excuse. I'd say go back and fix the mistake in the beginning. Hope I could help:)

[@pacedelacruz4913]

Hang in there, Sweetheart. 🌹You're doing a wonderful job. All the best to you and much success to you, on your first novel.

[@pacedelacruz4913]

Tip: create a separate profile for your characters and add in all their details; background, name, languages, education, pet(s), etc... so you can refer back to these profiles WHILE writing. Create these profiles in FB, making sure you put everything to PRIVATE, so you may end up with fully dimensional characters. Just a tip, case it helps 😘❤🌹

[@estherdiez1121]

i just wrote my first book ! any tips ? Like for example i know i have to edit the book but do hire someone for that ?

[@AuthorKristenMartin]

Before hiring an editor, I would say to get some beta readers for feedback. I will probably do a video on beta readers in the near future - I don't have one just yet.

[@AuthorKristenMartin]

And also congratulations on writing your first book!!

[@estherdiez1121]

i had a few people look at my book & they said it was really good !

[@estherdiez1121]

thank you & best wishes for your success !

[@maddih3140]

Esther Diez what's it called

[@imnothere6696]

I should hire you to edit my novel for me 😂. 🖒🖒🖒 also, I usually edit as I go too. I use grammarly.com for grammar issues I have. also, also, do you ever read your words out loud to see if they make sense? I would love to see what the colors of your highlights mean so I could do it, too.

[@miles9916]

I just started writing my novel,I am only twelve ( almost thirteen) and decided to prusue my dream of being a writer.i know it takes time and effort.but was wondering if you have any tips??? P.s if you are wondering how I have even the slightest amount of time I am Homeschooled.i know I am lucky. Thanks

[@AuthorKristenMartin]

I would check out my "QuickStart Guide to Writing a Book" video - lots of helpful tips there. Best of luck to you!

[@miles9916]

thanks

[@Lena-sv2du]

natalia weaver don't give up, write as often as you can, outline, developing characters is important, finish your projects

[@judithbierwolf4494]

Go for it and don't think you are too young! I started writing at 12 as well and today I published two books and one if them is actually the story I wrote with 12 (I rewrote 90%, but the plot nearly stayed the same) If you wanna write do it!:)

[@tylermoreland9594]

One thing I'll say is have fun! I'm not a pro and I don't know everything, but just have fun! You have a whole life ahead if you, and no matter what you do, love the journey. Don't be in a hurry to get there.

[@freestylegod3790]

awesome

[@tenreasons3366]

I had to watch this video twice.. sorry but your eyes just made me deaf, I would listen and then drift away .. but yes I agree with everything you said. For me its the hardest part as my logical brain portion is for smaller than my creative one. ..hmm maybe that's why I just adored your eyes, my imagination was hijacking my thoughts lol ? :)

[@richdavis6877]

Blues Clues Reference at 11:45. LOL

[@ellewelch8488]

So pretty :)

[@ibstayfly]

Do ebooks have to be edited before publishing? I obviously don't wanna pay anybody to edit so they have apps etc where they can automatically edit your ebook for you. I honestly wouldn't know how to do it myself Do ebooks have to be edited before publishing? I obviously don't wanna pay anybody to edit so they have apps etc where they can automatically edit your ebook for you. I honestly wouldn't know how to do it myself

[@pacedelacruz4913]

I have an extra copy of Final Draft (v8) It's BRAND NEW, still wrapped. Contact me if you want it and it's yours xxx