Editing and proof-reading, plus a new trick with some old software...

One of my biggest challenges as a writer is the process of editing and rewrites. I have a tough time making all the corrections needed for submission. It's hard for me to see everything that needs to be changed, improved, or "killed", (always kill your darlings).

There are several tricks people use when editing their work. Of course, if you have the means, the first and easiest way to get it done is to pay someone to do it. Hire a line-editor! However, it costs money. At around $2000.00 for a medium-sized novel, most people will shy away from paying someone. I recommend this method if you have the means- fresh eyes are always better. 

If you aren't pooping out cash and don't have someone who will do it for free, you will have to edit your own work, (aww, sad face emoji!). This is where it helps to know the tricks of the trade. 

So here we go:

1. Edit your work in small chunks, paragraphs, or pages. Focus on one part of the story and fix it one piece at a time. 
2. Enlarge the font, look at the small chunk in a big way. This helps because it changes the way you look at your work. 
3. Edit the story backward. Start at the end and work in reverse. You'll be surprised at what you catch. 
4. For some people, changing the font color, shape, and orientation help. 
5. Read the story out loud. When you hear yourself saying it, you will see the genius in it or realize how utterly stupid and cliche it is.  

Number five is the one that helps me the most. I need to hear how it sounds. Sometimes I can't read it out loud, so I found a little trick to help me. Those of you who use Microsoft word will love this one, get those headphones because Microsoft Word can read it back to you. 

Here's how to get word to help you edit your own work (it works on the later versions of Word, 2016, 2019, and 365).

Open your document and click the part of your document you want Word to read. Then go to the top and select the"review" tab. The second section under the "review" tab is "read aloud." 

(See the image below)

Cheers!