Editing your work means cutting your words or adding to your piece. You might not enjoy removing words that you thought long and hard to write, but the results are a smoother and simpler piece ready for consumption.
So, how do you go about editing your piece to make sure the small cracks are filled in and the resulting product is a joyful delight to the reader?
1. Separate "Writing Time" from "Editing Time"
When you write, you have to let your creative juices flowing without obstacles. Remove your prejudices, ignore the questionable grammar, heck, don't mind the spelling errors. Let your ideas flow.
2. Rest before editing
Your brain have to be well-rested before you scrutinize your work in order to see the little details that make or break a good story. View your work with fresh set of eyes so you can edit more effectively.
3. Print your work
It's so much better to edit when you are reading paper instead of a computer screen so your eyes don't get tired easily.
4. Duplicate your work
Have a copy of your work for every batch of revision. This is to allow you to undo the edits that you want undone.
5. Edit exhaustively
In other words, edit like a hawk. Don't let anything that makes you cringe pass your discerning eyes. Put extra attention to detail.
6. Repeat over and over
Until you are satisfied with your work.
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