I often emphasize the importance of the editing process in my writing workshops. After all, we rarely create a perfect piece in a single attempt. The numerous stages of writing, revising, editing, and refining smooth out rough edges, strengthen our writing, and give us every reason to be proud of the final version.
Even the most seasoned writers know the first draft is nothing more than a starting point. As a result, we are happy to edit, edit, edit — and then edit some more.
Yet, all too often, many inexperienced writers brush past that part.
Why? Well, it likely boils down to all or some of the following reasons:
They think their first draft is good enough.
They may skip the editing process because of time management issues, tight or unrealistic deadlines, and other time pressures.
They're simply impatient and overconfident.
They aren't meticulous.
They are intimidated by the editing process.
They might need help understanding the editing process.
I applaud you for getting something on paper that you believe is worth sharing with others sooner rather than later. Honestly, I can't wait to read it and celebrate with you. That said, good things come to those who take their time with the editing process.
10 Ways the Editing Process Improves Your Writing.
Eliminate Errors: No one wants to read something riddled with grammatical errors, misspellings, punctuation issues, and factual missteps. These and other embarrassing boo-boos distract readers and quickly undermine your credibility.
Enhance Clarity: The editing process may sometimes feel tedious, but your message will be more precise, more concise, easily understood, and more fun to read.
Strengthen Arguments: There's a better way to drive this point home! Pouring into the editing process means your points will become more compelling and persuasive.
Avoid Redundancies: Using the same words, phrases, and ideas makes your writing feel stuck in an infinite and unimaginative loop. It wastes space, obscures key points, keeps you from pushing the narrative forward, and bores the reader.
Improve Style and Tone: The editing process helps you uncover unique words and phrases that refine your overall tone, style, and distinct voice.
Add Depth: Once you've got an initial draft on paper, you can use editing to expand on areas lacking details and depth.
Improve Structure: The last thing you want is for readers to work hard to grasp what you're trying to say. You want your writing to flow seamlessly from one coherent idea to the next like a hot knife through butter.
Incorporate Feedback: Letting others read your initial draft as part of the editing process gives you access to different perspectives you may not have considered.
Stay on Topic: It's amazing how much the editing process helps you uncover areas of your writing that may not contribute to your main point or purpose. The same is true for identifying logical inconsistencies or gaps in your writing. From there, you can tweak those points, fill gaps, or do a complete rewrite.
Tailor Content to the Audience: You want to keep your audience's preferences and expectations in mind as you write. Editing and revising your copy helps you uncover and address gaps in those areas while finding ways to hold their attention better.
Honor the Editing Process!
I'm not going to sugarcoat anything. The editing process requires patience, dedication, and a keen eye for detail. It also requires you to open your mind to feedback. That said, every revision and every edit makes you a better writer and brings you closer to the masterpiece you've had in your head this entire time.
So, what are you waiting for? Write and edit — then be ready to share your work with us!
Call Edit This® in Denton, TX, for All Your Writing and Editing Needs.
If you want Edit This® to handle your company's content writing and editing needs, call us today! We like to say we handle anything involving the written word — from newsletters and website copy to book editing, ghostwriting, blog writing, and everything in between. If it involves the written word, we've probably worked with it.
Whether you need us to write content from scratch or improve something you've written, Edit This is the local writing and editing partner everyone needs. The last thing you want is mistakes in grammar or an important message that comes across differently than you hoped.
Our writing and editing services cover clients nationwide but are local to anyone in Denton, Corinth, Lake Dallas, Shady Shores, Hickory Creek, Lewisville, Flower Mound, Highland Village, Argyle, and the rest of DFW.
STEVE GAMEL is the President & Owner of Edit This®, a writing and editing services company in Denton, TX. He is also a consultant, writing coach, and the author of Write Like You Mean It: Mastering Your Passion for the Written Word. Steve handles anything involving the written word. Give him a call today to help give your business a clear voice.