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There is so much involved in self-editing; the lists and checkpoints can fill a book. But, in this article we’ll look at how to do a final once over. These are steps to be taken after you’ve proofread and self-edited the manuscript and had it critiqued, checked for grammar, storyline, punctuation, showing, etc.
1. Read your manuscript.
Read it again. Try to read it slow and watch for all the self-editing tips you’ve learned and think you’ve applied. Spotting one’s one errors is difficult since we know what we wrote and intended. Some of the other tips here will help with this problem.
2. Change the font and read it again.
Surprisingly, you will spot errors you just glazed over before. You won’t run through it the same way you did with the original font.
3. Read each paragraph from the last sentence to the first.
This is an interesting method for an additional self-edit. It’s helpful because your brain won’t be on auto-pilot. You will spot glitches within sentences that you would glaze over when reading normally.
Note: I don’t mean reading each sentence backward; read each sentence as you would normally, but read the last sentence first and work your way to the beginning of the paragraph.
4. Check formatting.
Now it’s time to check the formatting of the manuscript.
Are your paragraphs all indented with proper punctuation?
Did you use the Show/Hide function in your word processor to check the inner workings. For instance, years ago the proper spacing between sentences was two spaces. Now, the protocol is usually one space between sentences. The Show/Hide function displays a dot for each space.
Is your manuscript double spaced?
Did you use the correct formatting for dialogue?
Check all the aspects of manuscript formatting.
5. Print your manuscript.
Okay, I know what you environmentalists are thinking . . . I’m one also. I try very hard not to waste paper and protect our trees. But, there is a difference between reading on a computer and reading a paper copy. I’ll be honest, I don’t know why our brain perceives it differently, it just does.
As you’re reading your manuscript, use a colored pen or pencil and mark the text you find errors in. Once you’re finished go back to your computer document and correct the errors.
The other practical aspect of this process is it’s a good idea to have a hard copy of your manuscript near its final stage. Unless you have an offsite backup, you can’t be too careful (I’d be skeptical of this also – you never know with any online system whether it will crash). I’ve lost a number of files when my computer broke. And, I’ve even lost files on zip drives when the drives failed. So, from experience I’m cautious when it comes to saving my work.
6. Go Green.
Another step to take if you print a copy of the manuscript and you don’t feel the need to keep it is to recycle it. I reuse paper I print by using the back for notes, or I let my grandkids use it for coloring or painting. When the paper can be discarded, I recycle it if possible. If you’re concerned about your valuable content being usable to others, you can rip it into pieces or shred it, then recycle it.
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Other Writing Articles:
Is Your Manuscript Ready for Submission?
10 Great Writing Article Links
6 Last Minute Steps to Self-Editing and Submissions
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Please check out my July Walking Through Walls Virtual Book Tour Schedule at:
http://walkingthroughwalls-kcioffi.blogspot.com/2011/06/walking-through-walls-july-book-tour.html
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Ghostwriting and Editing for Businesses and Individuals
Do you want to get that idea turned into a book? Do you want to write your memoirs? Do you need editing, proofreading, or a professional critique? Do you need an e-book or white paper to offer for instruction, platform visibility, or a gift? Do you need blog, article, white paper, or other form of content visibility for your business? We’re professional, experienced with keywords and SEO, and we cover a number of writing services. So, please stop by and check us out. Go to: http://DKVWriting4U.com
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Until next time,
Karen Cioffi
Author, Ghostwriter, Freelance writer, and
Acquisitions Editor Intern for 4RV Publishing
Member of the Professional Writers Alliance, the International Association of Professional Ghostwriters, and the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors.
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So, you Think You’re Ready to Submit to a Publisher or Agent? Read this first.
Recently, a writer/marketer who always has valuable information recommended outsourcing as a means of effectively and quickly getting a number of articles written. He was using a particular service to create a niche site for affiliate marketing, but it can be used just as effectively to create visibility and traffic to your own sites and products. 
Well, the publication of my children’s fantasy chapter book is taking its final lap. Thanks to Aidana WillowRaven, Walking Through Walls now has its first YouTube video.
I am the founder and manager of Writers on the Move, a group of experienced and new writers/authors of multiple genres who strive to share their combined wealth of writing and marketing knowledge with all, as well as use cross-promotional strategies to increase visibility.
Along with being an author and ghostwriter, I am the creator and manager of Writer on the Move, a group of authors and writers who use cross-promotion to increase visibility. And each month we have an author/writer tour filled with writing and marketing information from our talented writers and authors.
