Editing is the lifeblood of writing as it is the means of improvement. So, if you want to be a good writer, you have to be a good editor too. Not only do writers need to be skilled at editing their own work, but they need to edit other writing pieces with the same ability. Maybe you are motivated by a compassionate desire to see others succeed, by a selfish desire that knows the others you help will likely return the favour, or by a mixture of both.

Whichever the motivation, there are some key elements to remember. Without further ado, let’s jump into it:

1. Gently

While editing, you are critiquing someone’s passion and possibly their livelihood. Though all writers are encouraged to separate themselves from their work, there is no guarantee that the author whose work you are editing is going to do that. Critiquing someone’s text too harshly could hurt that collaborative relationship. So, unless you know the writer personally and how they handle criticism, make sure that your critiques are worded in the kindest way possible. For example, if there are plot holes in the piece, don’t say “section x made no sense.” Instead try, “section x was inconsistent with section y because of ...”

2. Suggestions

Probably the worst thing you can do as an editor is to point out all of the mistakes without offering any resolutions. Anyone can pick apart any piece of writing, even a published book. But if you can’t offer any ideas for improvement, you are not helping at all. Often times an author will know already their piece’s flaws but are unable to fix them on their own. Even if the author doesn’t use your specific suggestions, those suggestions often spark further creativity.

3. Separation

Just like how as an author you should separate yourself from your work, as an editor you should remove yourself from the piece. What I mean by this is to avoid bringing personal opinions into the editing process. Of course, you are going to find that certain manuscripts speak to you more than others. That is just is human nature. However, you can’t assume that a text is bad since it doesn’t speak to you. For all you know it will speak to another person, or after some more refining it will speak to you, or maybe even if you read it tomorrow in a better mood it will speak to you.

Likewise, you can’t rely on your personal opinion about the author, whether they are a friend or someone you don’t get along with. Due to the inconsistency of personal feelings, remaining completely objective is the best way to edit. This way you can see a work for what it is and its potential, rather than how it makes one person (you) feel in its current state.

By following this advice, you will not only help the author whose work you are editing, but you will strengthen your own writing and intrapersonal skills.