Pen? Check. Papers? Check. Grammar-Nazi mentality? Check.

Revising is a lot like going to war. You need to be awake, you need plenty of diversions, and to stay alive, you need to be good at what you do. It’s also very long, mind-numbing, and there isn’t nearly enough love in the business to go around.

So, when you start, have a clear head. Be free of bias, of prejudgmentalism. Be willing to read and accept, but be ready to criticize, and dish out the pen marks.

As you’re revising, I find it easier if you analyze flow first, then break up the paragraphs into sentences and look for errors. Punctuation is too easy to get hung up on. Don’t touch it unless its one hell of a glaring error.

If what you are reading is just an awful piece of writing, don’t be vindictive. Constructive criticism will help the writer more than angry moaning and screaming. The more you try and help the writer, the better of a revisionist you are.

But when its all over, when you’ve played your stint as editor and you’re surrounded by teary writers, relax. Answer any questions they have, and lay back, watching them fix their problems. You’re done, right?

WRONG. They’ve edited your stuff, too! Take it with a grain of salt, and let it be. Be mindful of all changes, and don’t ignore any. Maybe you’ll learn something.

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