Hey there, storytelling rockstars! 🫖 Your Sassy Writing Coach here, to spill the tea about self-editing. And trust me, we're going to cover it ALL – from those "what was I thinking?" first drafts to the "chef's kiss" final manuscript. But here's the twist: we're also going to talk about how different genres need different editing approaches because what works for your gritty thriller might send your cozy mystery readers running for their chamomile tea!

Know Thyself: Understanding Your Editing Style

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's figure out what kind of editor you are. Trust me, this is like finding out your writer's zodiac sign – it explains so much!

1. The Free Spirit Editor

You're the type who needs to let your creativity flow uninterrupted. The mere thought of stopping to edit makes your muse pack their bags and head to Tahiti. Signs you're a Free Spirit:

• You write in bursts of inspiration

• Stopping to edit breaks your flow

• You prefer to "word vomit" now, clean up later

• Your first drafts are wild but wonderful

2. The Perfectionist Editor

You can't move forward until everything behind you is just right. You're the type who edits as you go, polishing each chapter until it gleams. Signs you're a Perfectionist:

• You revise each paragraph before moving on

• You have a strong inner editor

• Your first drafts are slower but cleaner

• You struggle to move forward if something feels off

Genre Note: While these editing personalities work for any genre, cozy mystery writers often need to blend both approaches. Why? Because while you need the Free Spirit's creativity for those quirky characters and clever clues, you also need the Perfectionist's attention to detail for tracking your mystery elements!

The Three-Round Editing Method

Round 1: The Big Picture Edit

Focus on:

• Plot structure and major arcs

• Character development

• World-building consistency

• Theme development

• Major plot holes

Example: Weak: "Sarah learned to trust again." Strong: "Sarah's journey from betrayed CEO to community volunteer showed her that trust, like her company's stock, could rise again."

Round 2: Scene-Level Polish

Focus on:

• Scene structure and pacing

• Character interactions and dialogue

• Setting development

• Emotional impact

• Conflict escalation

Example: Weak: "They argued about the business deal." Strong: "Marcus slammed the contract on the mahogany desk, sending his grandfather's fountain pen clattering to the floor. 'This isn't just about profit margins, Dad.'"

Round 3: Line-Level Magic

Focus on:

• Prose polish

• Sentence variety

• Word choice

• Voice consistency

• Pacing at the paragraph level

Example: Weak: "She was very angry about what he did." Strong: "Her fingers crumpled the letter, years of trust dissolving with each word of his betrayal."

A Real Talk About Editing Tools ⚒️

Here's something they don't tell you in those "one-size-fits-all" editing guides: your genre matters when choosing your editing tools. What works beautifully for steamy romance might send your horror novel screaming into the night (and not in a good way!).

Today, we're spotlighting one of the trickiest genres to edit: the cozy mystery. Why? Because while most fiction editing tools are designed for ramping up tension and adding drama, cozy mysteries need a gentler touch. They're like that friend who can deliver hard truths wrapped in a warm hug–and most editing tools haven't mastered that delicate balance.

That's why I'm breaking down editing approaches into two camps: General Fiction and Cozy Mysteries. Whether you're writing heart-pounding suspense or a small-town whodunit involving a knitting circle and a mysteriously murdered macaron baker, you'll find your perfect editing match below.

For General Fiction:

Tools should help you:

• Strengthen your unique voice

• Polish grammar and punctuation

• Track plot threads

• Enhance descriptions

• Maintain consistency

Warning: Don't let tools flatten your voice or standardize your unique style!

For other considerations like Cozy Mysteries:

Tools should help you:

• Track clues and red herrings

• Maintain character consistency

• Monitor tone and language

• Organize community details

• Keep violence off-page

Warning: Many editing tools don't understand cozy conventions – they might flag your intentionally gentle descriptions or quirky character traits as "problems."

The Self-Editor's Troubleshooting Guide

🗺️ Plot Problems

General Fiction Fix:

• Layer in subplots

• Raise personal stakes

• Add unexpected twists

• Deepen conflict

Example: Weak: "John needed to finish the project." Strong: "John had 48 hours to complete the project or lose the promotion he'd spent five years earning."

Cozy Mystery Fix:

• Weave mystery with community life

• Create cozy-appropriate stakes

• Add twists that don't disturb the tone

• Build suspense without violence

Example: Weak: "Sarah needed to solve the mystery." Strong: "If Sarah couldn't prove who switched the baking competition entries, the historical society would lose its funding – and her grandmother's secret recipes would be lost forever."

🧗‍♀️Character Issues

General Fiction Fix:

• Deepen internal conflicts

• Strengthen character arcs

• Add complex motivations

• Create meaningful relationships

Example: Weak: "Lisa didn't want to take the job." Strong: "Lisa's fingers hovered over the contract. Taking this job meant betraying everything her environmental activist mother had fought for, but refusing it meant watching her daughter's college fund disappear."

Mystery Fix:

• Keep characters cozy-appropriate

• Build believable amateur sleuthing reasons

• Create charming quirks with purpose

• Develop community connections

Example: Weak: "Mary liked to solve mysteries." Strong: "Between managing her herb shop and teaching botanical workshops, Mary's knowledge of plants made her uniquely qualified to question why deadly nightshade ended up in the community garden's tomato patch."

🏎️ Pacing Problems

General Fiction Common Issues:

• Slow middles

• Rush endings

• Uneven chapter lengths

• Missing emotional beats

Solutions:

• Start scenes later

• End on high points

• Balance action and reflection

• Layer in subplots

Cozy Mystery Specific Issues:

• Too much cozy, not enough mystery

• Too much mystery, not enough charm

• Uneven clue distribution

• Rushed resolutions

Solutions:

• Blend sleuthing with daily life

• Balance community scenes with an investigation

• Sprinkle clues naturally

• Solve mysteries through conversation and observation

📣 Voice and Style

General Fiction Approach:

• Develop distinct character voices

• Match tone to genre expectations

• Create immersive descriptions

• Build emotional resonance

Example: Weak: "The forest was scary." Strong: "Shadows stretched between the trees like grasping fingers, and every crack of a twig made her heart stutter."

Cozy Mystery Approach:

• Maintain light, warm tone

• Use gentle humor

• Create inviting descriptions

• Keep violence subtle

Example: Weak: "The victim was found dead in the garden." Strong: "The usually pristine rose garden looked wrong that morning – trampled petals and an overturned watering can told a story Mrs. Pickwick's garden club never expected to read."

Preparing for Professional Editing

Understanding Editor Types

• Developmental Editor: Story structure and character arcs

• Line Editor: Prose and flow

• Copy Editor: Grammar and consistency

When to hire: When you've taken your manuscript as far as you can alone

The Final Polish

1. Take a break

2. Read in a different format

3. Get beta reader feedback

4. Consider professional editing

🚩Remember:

Writing rules are like recipe guidelines – they're helpful until they're not! While general fiction gives you more flexibility, cozy mysteries have specific ingredients readers expect. Knowing when to follow the rules and when your story needs something different is key.

The perfect editing process is the one that works for YOU and serves YOUR story. Whether you're writing the next great American novel, or a charming mystery set in a knitting shop, embrace your unique approach to editing.

Now go forth and edit like the writing rockstar you are! And remember, chocolate is a perfectly acceptable editing tool. Just keep it away from your keyboard. 😉

Until next time, keep writing, keep slaying, and never, ever forget that your story deserves to shine!

💫 Your Sassy Writing Coach

(c) copyright Cassie Newell