Day 17: Have you used this editing trick before?

[Zulie @ Medium]

Time: 15 minutes​

Programming note: Medium’s CEO Tony Stubblebine is hosting a live stream this Friday at 1 pm ET to share how he picks topics, writes a subtitle, and otherwise gives his story a final polish before pressing publish. You can get reminders and watch the event at this link!

Good morning writers,

The fastest way to do a pretty good job editing is by reading your story aloud. That’s what we’ll do today.

We left this editing step last because it will help you smooth all the jagged edges that come from the adding, removing, and other editing you’ve been working on.

Today’s assignment: read your story aloud to yourself​

What to do: Read your story aloud. You will almost certainly notice awkward transitions, missing words, unclear ideas, typos, and all sorts of other small mistakes. Fix them as you go. When you reach the bottom, give it one final read-through, aloud.

Time limit: Spend just ten minutes on your initial read-and-edit, then no more than five on your final read. You may spot additional issues! That’s OK. You’ll notice the URL of this publication is medium.com/not-perfect. That’s because we’re not aiming for perfection. Once the time is up, leave it.

Goal for today: Polish your piece. This is the last day we’ll spend doing significant edits, and reading aloud is the most efficient way to get your story to a place you’re proud of.

There are only three days left in this challenge. If you’ve stuck with it so far, you should be tremendously proud of yourself! Making a practice of writing isn’t easy. It takes time, dedication, concentration. There’s almost always something else that feels more important. Choosing to write is hard.

But on Monday, when we all press publish together, it will all be worth it. Can’t wait to see you there!

Happy writing,

Zulie

Register now: Press Publish Party, June 30​

Next Monday, June 30, 12–1 PM ET, we’re going to celebrate the end of the challenge together. Sign up to attend our live webinar, and we can all press publish, together.

---

Day 17: Have you used this editing trick before? was originally published in Just Start Writing on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Continue reading...

 

Join 𝕋𝕄𝕋 on Telegram
Channel PREVIEW: