Self editing doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Learn a simple 5-step system to revise your writing faster, with clarity, confidence, and momentum.
Self editing can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re staring at a draft that feels too long, too messy, or too emotional to navigate.
But here’s the truth:
Editing becomes 10× easier when you follow the right order.
This simple 5-step system will help you edit your scenes faster, sharpen your voice, and strengthen your storytelling without burning out.
Here’s a quick snapshot of what this guide covers:
What You’ll Learn
- how to self edit your scenes efficiently
- the 5 steps to revise without overwhelm
- how to cut repetition and filler
- how to choose clarity over clever phrasing
- the best way to track writing improvement
- why self editing helps your future drafts (not just this one)
If you’re a Christian fiction writer who wants a clear, stress-free way to revise your scenes, this system will help you edit with confidence and momentum.
1. Fix Direction Before Fixing Sentences
Most writers start editing at the line level — tweaking sentences, adjusting words, polishing dialogue.
But editing sentence-by-sentence is slow and discouraging if the scene itself is drifting.
Always start here:
Ask:
What is this scene actually doing?
Is it meant to:
- reveal emotion?
- move the plot forward?
- deepen conflict?
- reveal misbelief?
- expose a flaw or truth?
- escalate tension?
Once your purpose is clear, the right words come faster.
Purpose-driven scenes pair beautifully with pacing. Learn more in my article on how to make your scenes instantly more gripping.
2. Cut Repetition in One Sweep (Not Line by Line)
Most repetition in your writing isn’t an accident — it’s a pattern.
Writers tend to lean on the same “comfort words” during drafting:
- nodded
- sighed
- grinned
- swallowed
- “her heart pounded”
- “he looked away”
- “she took a breath”
Or they repeat the same emotion in slightly different wording.
Instead of fixing these one line at a time, scan for patterns in one pass.
This instantly sharpens your voice and removes filler without drowning in micro-edits.
Repetition often happens when writers state emotions outright. Check out my post on how emotional misbelief creates deeper scenes.
3. Read It Out Loud
This is the editing step most writers skip — and the one that saves the most time.
When you read your writing out loud, you instantly catch:
- clunky rhythm
- unnatural dialogue
- missing emotional beats
- sentences that are too long
- places where the flow falls apart
If you stumble, your reader will too.
If dialogue is a struggle, my guide on how to write realistic dialogue will help you fix stiffness fast.
4. Choose Clarity Over Perfection
When you get stuck during self editing, ask yourself:
“What am I really trying to say?”
Clean is better than clever.
Writers often chase poetic, dramatic, or overly polished lines — especially in emotional scenes — but clarity makes revision faster and strengthens the emotional core of your work.
When your writing is clear, your future drafts multiply in quality.
Clarity pairs beautifully with narrative contrast. Read more in my guide to using contrast to deepen your storytelling.
5. Track What You Want to Improve
The fastest way to grow as a writer?
Focus on one improvement per draft.
Examples:
- Draft 2: pacing
- Draft 3: emotional tension
- Draft 4: dialogue flow
- Draft 5: character depth
When you know what you’re aiming for, progress compounds.
Instead of trying to fix everything at once, you build mastery step-by-step.
If you’re unsure where your weak spots are, this ties perfectly to the 5 plot holes quietly ruining your story.
Remember: You’re Not Self Editing to Impress an Editor
You self edit so your next draft becomes:
- smoother
- stronger
- clearer
- easier to revise
- easier for YOU to finish
Self editing isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress.
It’s about building a writing process that actually serves you.
Why This Matters for Christian Writers
Christian storytelling is deeply emotional—not because it’s dramatic, but because it’s honest.
We write from a place where faith and humanity meet: fear and hope, doubt and trust, heartbreak and redemption.
When we edit with clarity, intention, and emotional truth, we create stories that resonate spiritually and artistically — stories that help readers feel seen, understood, and rooted in something deeper.
Self editing becomes a spiritual practice too:
a refining, clarifying, strengthening of the story you’re stewarding.
FAQ: Self Editing for Christian Fiction Writers
How do I know when my scene is “done”?
When the scene expresses its purpose clearly and no line feels confusing, redundant, or emotionally flat.
What should I edit first?
Always direction → then structure → then sentences → then rhythm → then polish.
Should I self edit before hiring an editor?
Yes. A cleaner draft helps your editor focus on deeper craft issues instead of surface-level errors.
How long should self editing take?
It depends on length, but using the 5-step system above dramatically shortens the process.
How can I improve at self editing over time?
Track one improvement per draft and you’ll grow consistently.
Key Takeaway
Self editing becomes easy when you follow a clear order:
- Purpose
- Patterns
- Rhythm
- Clarity
- Growth
You don’t self edit to impress an editor —
you self edit to create a cleaner, more confident draft that moves you closer to finishing your book.
🔥 Black Friday — The Christian Writer’s Guide
If you want a step-by-step system for writing AND self editing your novel…
My Christian Writer’s Guide is on sale for Black Friday.
Inside, you’ll get:
✨ Scene templates that help you strengthen pacing, emotion, banter, conflict, and clarity
✨ Beat sheets + structure guides so you know exactly what every chapter should accomplish
✨ Pacing + subplot worksheets to cut repetition and tighten story flow
✨ A 3–6 month writing plan to help you finish your book without burnout
✨ Revision checklists for fast, effective self editing
No more guessing.
No more losing momentum.
No more messy drafts you don’t know how to fix.
👉 Grab it now while the sale is still live.
Your best writing year starts with clarity — and this guide gives it to you.
Pen and Polish 