10 Editing Tips That Will Instantly Improve Your Story

You finished your first draft (cue the confetti!), but now you’re staring at your messy manuscript, wondering what on earth to do next. First of all, don’t panic. This is where the real magic begins.

Whether you're polishing your first novel or diving into editing for self-published authors, a few smart, simple edits can instantly take your story from almost there to can’t put it down. Not sure where to start? This editing timeline breaks it all down, but if you’re ready for quick wins, following 10 editing tips will make your story shine, fast.

1. Cut the Clutter

First drafts love to ramble; it’s part of their charm. But during editing, it’s time to tighten things up. Look for filler words like just, really, very, that, and actually. These often add little meaning and slow your pacing. Also, watch for sentences that over-explain or repeat ideas you’ve already nailed. Cutting the clutter doesn’t mean losing your voice; it means letting it shine more clearly. A few thoughtful trims can make your writing feel sharper, more confident, and instantly easier to read.

2. Replace Passive Voice with Action

Passive voice can sneak into your writing and quietly drain the energy from your scenes. Instead of saying “The sword was dropped by the knight,” try “The knight dropped the sword.” See the difference? The second version is clearer, stronger, and keeps the focus on your character’s actions. During edits, keep an eye out for phrases like “was taken,” “is being,” or “had been.” Rewriting these into active voice gives your prose more punch and instantly makes your storytelling more dynamic.

3. Break Up Long Paragraphs

The best novel editing tip you will ever get is to break up long paragraphs. Massive blocks of text can slow your pacing and lose the reader, especially in high-stakes scenes. Look for natural breaks if a paragraph runs longer than 4–5 lines. Dialogue, movement, or internal thoughts can each stand on their own. Shorter paragraphs mean smoother flow and happier readers.

4. Smooth Out Pacing

Read through your chapters and ask: Where does the story drag? Where does it sprint ahead too fast? Fantasy writers often spend too long setting the scene, while action-heavy scenes can blow by without giving readers time to feel anything. When editing, aim for a rhythm, a balance of breath and tension.

5. Fix Inconsistencies

Did your character’s eyes change color halfway through the story? Or did the rules of your magic system subtly shift? These tiny errors are easy to miss while drafting, but stand out big-time when reading. Keep a running list as you edit, or even better, use a style sheet to track the details.

6. Watch for Repetition

We all have words or phrases we cling to. Whether it’s grinned, sighed, or suddenly, overuse dulls their impact. Use the Find tool to spot your crutch words and swap them out with stronger or more varied language. Also, look for repeated plot beats or dialogue that covers the same emotional ground; you only need to say it once to make it count.

7. Polish Your Sentence Flow

Read your sentences out loud and listen to the rhythm. Do they flow smoothly? Or are they clunky, overly long, or choppy? A well-paced sentence draws readers in without them even realizing it. Try varying sentence lengths, cutting unnecessary words, and simplifying where things get tangled. This slight shift can make your prose feel more natural and immersive, especially in emotional or high-stakes scenes where you want readers to stay locked in.

8. Stay Consistent with Tone and Voice

Have you ever started your story with a light, whimsical tone… only to realize halfway through that it’s taken a dark and brooding turn? It happens to the best of us. During editing, read through your manuscript with an eye on tone and voice; make sure they feel cohesive from start to finish. If your narrator sounds casual in one chapter and overly formal in the next, it can pull readers out of the story. 

Not sure what your voice even is yet? Check out this gentle guide to developing your writing style.

9. Edit One Layer at a Time

Trying to fix plot holes, tighten dialogue, trim sentences, and fix typos all at once? That’s the fast track to burnout. Instead, do separate passes: one for structure, one for character arcs, one for prose, and one final round for polish. This method makes editing feel manageable and focused. Even better? Create a self-editing checklist to keep everything organized. 

10. Print It Out and Edit by Hand

This may sound old-school, but it works. Reading on paper helps you spot things your brain skips on-screen. Grab a pen, scribble in the margins, highlight repeated lines, or cross out entire paragraphs. The shift in medium gives you a fresh perspective, and often, way better results. This is one of the easiest tricks of book editing for self-published authors.

I’ve Edited It So Many Times… Why Doesn’t It Feel Finished?

If you’re stuck in the loop of re-reading, tweaking, and second-guessing, take a breath. That feeling doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means you’ve taken your draft as far as you can on your own. And that’s exactly what self-editing is for: laying the groundwork.

Now it might be time to call in backup: a professional book editor. At Once Upon a Manuscript, I dig deep into your story’s structure and catch the things your brain is too close to see, plot holes, pacing dips, clunky dialogue, and more. In return? Your story becomes tighter, cleaner, and emotionally stronger, and you get a manuscript you’re finally proud to share with readers and publishers.

Let’s get it there together.