Editing tips
After you have written a rough draft, don’t be afraid to edit again and again. Feel free to cut! Most writers write too much. Sharpen and tighten your words. Check for use of active, strong verbs. Make sure you have vivid description, but don’t smother your writing with it. Doublecheck those beginning and ending lines, too. Here are a few fine examples from a recent project I did writing family stories with middle schoolers:
First lines:
As the moonlight fills bedrooms with mystery, it fills dreams as well.
The mall was very crowded that day, not like a barrel of wild monkeys, but like an army of robots on wheels, going to and fro.
You may trust them as the lazy alternative to stairs, but escalators are no joy ride.
How many times can a guy get framed?
I was almost three and about to die.
Last lines:
I tried to follow but it just faded away - no tracks, nothing disturbed and the saw was still buzzing as I turned back to the truck.
And that is why hamsters don't fly.
I heard the noise growing louder and louder, so I crept up to the door and opened it slowly and there he was, asleep... on the toilet.
Twenty-four pairs of socks and two Hawaiian shirts — that was when Christmas became just another day for me.
Images:
waves like skyscrapers of water
a beard of bandages
ants walking around as if in Thanksgiving Day parade
face like lava bubbling
he came on like a tsunami
cat frozen as flat as can be
An example of good editing:
First draft: It was not too late in the day and she had already predicted what was going to happen.
Second draft: It was early in the day and she knew her sister was in trouble.
Time to share
After you’ve gone through several drafts, then share your story with others. If you’d like their suggestions, ask. Then, it’s often a good idea to put your writing down and to leave it alone for awhile. Finally, come back to it and read it again. Chances are, you’ll find a few things to change as you see it with fresh eyes. Make those changes, then congratulate yourself for your effort, and start another story.
When you feel ready, don’t forget to send your stories to some of the websites that publish young writing; see Links for ideas.