How do you revise and edit your creative writing?

Question

To all the writers out there:

What are some of the tricks you use to revise and edit your writing? Anything odd or different?

Answer 1

One of my favorite, most useful ways is to read it aloud. That way it is very obvious when a sentence is awkward, or when something doesn't sound like what a particular character would say.

Answer 2

What I tend to do is pick a spot at random, or a spot I personally think needs to be really looked at, and I more-or-less live it out. I read to out the lines I have characters saying, the way I envision them saying it. I try to note if there are any problems with the scenery, the characters, the dialogue. I then will re-read everything I have written, from begining to end, checking for grammar errors, spelling mistakes and detail issues. I ask myself questions: Am I rambling? Am I not giving enough information or am I giving too much? Is this person believable? Does this follow the idea I set out to write in this book? Are my facts correct? Am I taking things from other authors I have read on accident?
You should always question yourself, but be confident when you write. If you have an idea, a plot, a character, anything that makes you want to create a story, remember that there is more to it than just knowing that one thing. You need to make characters believable, whether it's sci-fi or theological or whatever genre you write. You will, most likely at one point, use something that is grounded in truth and fact, so make sure you have those straight. Think about what YOU like in a story, and try to incorporate it into your writing. Know your story, know your characters and you will be fine.

Answer 3

Take a break and look at it again later (or the next day is even better). Distancing yourself from it makes it easier to revise.

Also, you could have friends take a look at it. Or reading aloud is a great trick. Also keep asking yourself what are your goals for the piece and ask yourself if you are meeting those goals.

Answer 4

YOu could start a workshop with friends or fellow writers. Get suggestions and opinions.