'How to self edit before you publish' by Inderpreet Uppal

Writing is cathartic for some, a passion for another and a necessity for others. Whatever be the reason, expressing exactly what you wish to share is no easy task. Many things make a fine copy, but once you have penned your words the most important thing to do is edit the errors out of your words.

A sure shot way to get as much clarity as possible is to self edit your words and writing before you hit publish. Not always can you be unbiased or critique your work impassionately, but you can try and learn along your writing journey. As we improve on our ‘self-edits’, we turn into better writers as well.

– SELF EDIT BEFORE YOU POST.

Use spell check, yes! Really! – Always double check the spellings. Use Google if required, but there are enough Grammar websites and Dictionaries online to help- you as well. Along with the US/UK spelling many of us are reeling to find the right word.

Read aloud – This is the fastest way to catch errors. If you have difficulty in speaking your text then it will be worse for someone else who will read it. Catch the awkward gaps and fix them.

Check the ‘print preview’ – Twice or as many times as you wish. I check my preview a dozen times if I am not sure of the settings or text as it displays.

Repetitive Ideas or words – We sometimes take more than a few sentences to say the same thing. Read through and cut those repetitive- but-not- quite-right sentences and paragraphs.

If it niggles, fix it – Go with your gut. You wrote about something beautiful, but it doesn’t sit well. If it does not feel right but you cannot point it out, you need to look at it from a different perspective. It will have some error that’s why it is standing out.

These are simple yet effective techniques to keep you on the right track as you write

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Let me know what you think of them. Do you have your own tips? Share them with us. Anything on your mind, you wish for me to write about, let me know in the comments.

Thank you for reading.

Keep writing.

About the Author

Inderpreet edits manuscripts, writes for her love of writing and reads endlessly. She is a Masters in Human Resources Management and worked as a management lecturer. An Army brat, she now joins her adorable Army hubby across the country. Books, editing, reviews, freelance writing, sponsored posts and blogging keep her busy whenever she gets a breather from mothering her ‘too tricky to handle son’. A sprinkling of fiction, a dash of books, and a bit of opinion add to the eclectic mix that is #EloquentArticulation.