Editing Effectiveness
I spend up to four hours a day self-editing my books. I require so much effort because my English skills are not the best, I often change my mind, and am a perfectionist. Not the best combination for being an efficient author. Yet, seeing the improved results is satisfying; now, my newer creations require less editing. For this article, I wanted to explore the metrics behind my efforts.
Creating the first draft of one of my books takes three to six months, depending on the plot complexity. I begin each writing session by reviewing three pages from where I ended to get into the mood, ease into the writing flow, familiarize myself with the characters, and recall the plot. (Side note: This is also an opportunity to understand I am not in the mood to write and stop. Yes, that was a painful lesson.) As I read over these pages, I edit my existing work and start writing where I left off. This preview edit changes the document by approximately 5% of the total editing changes.
While writing, I often have inspirations and change my prior work. This is when I make the majority (approximately 75%) of the non-grammar changes. This includes adding chapters, rearranging large sections, big deletions, and character modifications. However, I do not classify this activity as editing; to me, it is part of the writing process.
After I have finished my first draft, I will do my first full self-edit. My primary goal is to improve the flow and locate big mistakes. It is a brutal pass requiring at least a month. I estimate this represents 10% of non-grammar changes.
After the first pass, I do a full edit with specific goals like shoring up the descriptions, making realistic dialog, checking facts, uncovering logic issues, and addressing my known writing ticks. I estimate each pass represents 1% of non-grammar changes.
When I feel comfortable (two or more full edits may be required), I do a complete edit, focusing tightly on each sentence. This requires another month and results in 2% of the non-grammar changes. I then do a Grammarly and ProWritingAid pass. While each only takes a few hours, the result is a hefty 10% change in the overall document. I estimate that of all the total grammar issues found in the entire editing process, this first pass eliminates 50% of the problems.
I then print a copy for my beta reader (my mother), and she often uncovers major issues. After making the changes, I do another Grammarly and ProwritingAid pass. I estimate this beta effort represents 15% of non-grammar changes, and 30% of significant mistakes are caught during this stage.
When I am confident (I do at least two self-edit passes), I send my work to a professional editor. The result uncovers 15% of the grammar problems and 10% of the non-grammar. Then, I do another Grammarly and ProwritingAid pass, but there is a difference from typical passes.
If the editor made a change that Grammarly or ProwritingAid had previously recommended, I go with the editor. The errors I allow to be corrected are when an editor makes a significant sentence change and the result is not grammatically correct, meaning they did not check their work. I think checking their work is the mark of a good editor, and I have only found one that appears to have done so. Sadly, she passed away.
When I am confident (I do at least two self-edit passes), I send my work to a professional copy editor. I estimate their effort locates 5% of the grammar and 1% of the plot issue. Yet, this effort cannot be overstated because the document has been through many eyes, and the remaining flaws are challenging to locate. A good example is a homophone (to, too, and two).
After reviewing their work, I do three full self-edits but resist making changes except for glaring errors. Then, a final Grammarly and ProwritingAid pass will be followed by a final inspection. These final four edits only locate 0.5% of the problems, but I have found a few glaring issues. Of course, I must make one final pass because I am a control freak.
Making a book (nearly) perfect required significant effort, but I still find self-editing fun because I get to relive the story and meet the characters again. Plus, the improvement I see is rewarding. Is it worth it? I like to think practice makes perfect, and self-editing is the ultimate form of practice.
You’re the best -Bill
May 18, 2025
Hey, book lovers, I published four. Please check them out:
Interviewing Immortality. A dramatic first-person psychological thriller that weaves a tale of intrigue, suspense, and self-confrontation.
Pushed to the Edge of Survival. A drama, romance, and science fiction story about two unlikely people surviving a shipwreck and living with the consequences.
Cable Ties. A slow-burn political thriller that reflects the realities of modern intelligence, law enforcement, department cooperation, and international politics.
Saving Immortality. Continuing in the first-person psychological thriller genre, James Kimble searches for his former captor to answer his life’s questions.
These books are available in softcover on Amazon and in eBook format everywhere.
