You had a breakthrough. Spent several intensive days writing. Your hands are tired, your wrists ache, and you're ready to share your latest manuscript with beta readers or submit to agents. You can already imagine the feedback: praise for your characterization, acclaim for your authentic dialogue, recognition of your story's emotional depth.
But then reality sets in... I need to edit this novel. Make it truly professional.
And you'd be absolutely right: thorough editing is essential. Don't know where to begin? You're in the right place!
I'm a writer and developer who's been crafting fiction for years, and I've learned that effective editing can transform a good manuscript into an exceptional one.
Understanding the Novel Editing Process
Let's explore how to edit your novel systematically and effectively.
Important note: These steps don't need to be followed in strict order. This is a recommended framework, but if you find that:
a. The steps work better for you in a different sequence, or
b. Some suggestions don't align with your artistic choices (e.g., you're deliberately writing an unreliable narrator)
Then adjust accordingly. This is your creative work—trust your instincts while maintaining professional standards.
Step 1 – Distance Yourself From Your Manuscript
Step away from your work. Start a different writing project. Rest. Engage in other creative pursuits. Take time outdoors. Anything except continuing to stare at your manuscript for several days, allowing yourself to forget the specific details so you can identify issues with fresh eyes. It's similar to how artists flip their drawings upside down to spot compositional problems.
I typically wait about ten days to two weeks when editing longer works, particularly because I tend to read my drafts so frequently that I memorize passages, which makes objective editing nearly impossible.
Step 2 – Structural Assessment (Developmental Editing)
Begin by reading your entire manuscript. During this read-through, note all plot inconsistencies (elements that contradict earlier story points), continuity errors (a character standing who suddenly appears seated without transitioning, inconsistent physical descriptions), and other significant issues.
Also evaluate pacing (whether scenes drag or rush), characterization (character voice consistency, unintentional departures from established personality), and overall narrative architecture.
Step 3 – Chapter-Level Analysis
This phase focuses on examining individual chapters for length balance, narrative contribution, and structural purpose. Consider whether certain chapters are disproportionately long or short, or whether any can be condensed or eliminated entirely because they don't advance the plot or deepen character development.
Step 4 – Line Editing: Prose Quality and Narrative Voice
During your next read-through, identify sentences that are convoluted, unclear, or rely too heavily on clichés. Establish a consistent prose style for your manuscript and ensure it's maintained throughout. Verify that your point-of-view remains consistent: if you're using third-person limited narration, maintain that perspective—or clearly signal transitions if you shift viewpoints. You can alternate perspectives between chapters or sections, but this requires distinct narrative voices to avoid confusing readers.
During this stage, also determine your approach to adverbs. Some writers minimize adverb usage, others embrace them strategically. You don't need to adopt either extreme; finding a balanced approach often works best. Remember, literary fiction has room for stylistic personality and distinctive voice.
If you want to identify and evaluate adverbs throughout your manuscript, you can use the editing tool I developed. It's called The Dialogue Thing—it's free, uses no AI, and doesn't store your writing anywhere (complete privacy guaranteed). Try it here.
Step 5 – Dialogue Refinement and "Show Don't Tell" Enhancement
I've written a comprehensive article about dialogue formatting rules, but here are the fundamentals:
Consider this example:
✅ "Hello," she said
❌ "Hello," she walked
Use a comma at the end of dialogue only when following it with a dialogue tag. If you're using an action beat (walked, turned, ran, etc.), you need a period, not a comma.
Similarly, when you do use a comma, the word immediately following the closing quotation mark should be lowercase. This principle also applies to question marks, exclamation points, and ellipses: if followed by a dialogue tag, the next letter remains lowercase.
I explore this topic extensively in my dialogue article, and additionally...
The Dialogue Thing flags all these formatting issues automatically, making the editing process significantly more efficient!
This editing phase is also ideal for addressing the "show, don't tell" principle. I tackle this alongside dialogue revision because that's where much of the emotional content appears. When reviewing dialogue, if characters explicitly state their emotions, consider whether subtlety would be more effective.
"I'm devastated and angry," versus "Fine. Whatever." create entirely different reader experiences. One explicitly announces feelings; the other allows readers to infer emotional states. That's the artistry of effective writing.
Conclusion
Editing your novel is an essential step toward creating polished, compelling fiction that resonates with readers and appeals to literary agents. By following this systematic approach—from creating editorial distance after drafting to refining dialogue and prose style—you ensure your manuscript is clear, consistent, and engaging. Combine traditional editing techniques with modern tools like The Dialogue Thing to streamline your process and elevate your writing quality efficiently.
Remember, editing isn't about achieving impossible perfection—it's about crafting the strongest possible version of your story. Whether you're polishing literary fiction or preparing a commercial novel for traditional publication, this guide will help you navigate the editing process with confidence.
Begin your editing journey today and watch your manuscript transform into something truly publication-ready—your future readers and the literary community will appreciate your dedication to craft.