Time to Edit!!!

     That wonderful moment when you sit back and exhale, beaming at a completed first draft of a manuscript, is what makes writing worth it. I figure it's like the moment when mountain climbers finally get to the summit. The only problem is that now you have to get back DOWN the mountain. In writing we call this process editing.
     Now, I am the kind of person who likes changes of pace and scenery. Doing something once is more than plenty for me. So once I get through a manuscript, rather than go back and work it again, I'd rather just move on to the next thing! But, alas, that's not how it works. Editing, here I come!
     Sometimes (ok, all the time) editing seems like a huge, scary Frankenstein of a task. So in case you ever create your own monster story and need help getting out of that predicament, here is a list of ways I've learned to break it into bite-sized chunks:

1. Go through one chapter at a time, one criteria at a time. Don't move on to chapter two until chapter one is perfect. This will give you smaller goals to achieve and make it feel more like you are getting somewhere.
2. Try to focus on things like eliminating to-be words, cutting down on "cheap" adverbs, and overall plot stuff separately, so you don't miss anything.
3. Have other people (friends, relatives, teachers, or anyone else you can think of) read your book or other piece of writing and give you critiques. They will notice things you can't!
4. At the end, read it once more to make sure the WHOLE story is cohesive.
5. If you are just really sick and tired of this project, give yourself a break for a day or two. Even mini-vacations work wonders!

So let's get to work! Though I have to say, I can't wait until I'm finally down my "mountain"! :-)