How To Write Yourself An Edit Letter, And Why Every Writer Should

There comes a time at the end of every manuscript when you’re not only ready to be done with it but also wondering what still needs to be worked on to create that final draft.

This part of the writing and editing process can be overwhelming. After all, you’ve spent months or even years getting your novel to this point. You remember all the ideas that didn’t work, the darlings that had to be cut, and your expectations for the book, which aren’t always what’s on the actual page.

At this point, in the traditional publishing world, your MS would go to an agent or editor, and they will send you back an edit letter.

For those not being traditionally published, or who aren’t yet signed with an agent or editor, that edit letter can come from yourself.

How To Write Yourself An Edit Letter, And Why Every Writer Should

Even if your MS will eventually be read by an agent, editor, or even beta readers, putting together your own edit letter before that stage is super helpful.

Not only will it ensure you’re sending out the best version of your MS to others so their reading experience is as smooth as possible (and therefore as helpful as possible), but it will help you iron out any doubts, confusion, or errors left in the MS.

The Ground Rules

For your edit letter, you’ll want some distance. Write it in the third person, as if you’re penning it to someone else.

If you’ve never received feedback from others, this will be good practice. If you have, and weren’t so great at handling it, a third-person edit letter can also better prepare you for receiving and processing feedback.

Be honest. You know the issues with your manuscript. Write down every little doubt, even that one about chapter three that you’ve been ignoring for the last two drafts, hoping others won’t raise the same issue. Chances are if you’ve noticed it, so will they. Nip it in the bud now and tell the truth about what needs fixing.

Just as if you were giving feedback to someone else, give yourself the feedback that will be the most helpful.

What To Include

Now, for the actual letter contents itself, this should be based on what will work for you.

Be as brief, or be as lengthy as you want. List each change in detail or in general terms. List everything from the first chapter to the last or just a general overview of the entire book.

We all write differently and will edit the same. Your edit letter should also suit your style and be in a structure that will work for you. You’re the one who has to use it to shape your next draft, and if listing every single event in a ten-page edit letter allows you to do that, that’s what you’ll do.

The Good Parts

Go with what you did right and shower yourself with compliments!

The Improvements

List what could be improved, what scenes are still weak, and anything that can be tweaked with some more editing/brainstorming.

The Bad Parts

This is where you’ll list what isn’t working and what needs to be fixed. Major problems, like ignoring that the villain had no motive, got you through the last draft, but now it needs to be addressed.

The Nitty-gritty

Note down the nitty-gritty of what you’re willing to do for the next editing pass.

What you’d like to edit.What you can edit.What you don’t want to edit and why?What you’re willing to compromise and fix, not remove.What can be removed.Solutions for backup fixes/changes.What you aren’t willing to remove and why?The Overview

This edit letter isn’t just about fixing issues, it’s also about understanding your story and the characters. Make room for an overview of the following…

Plot

Write about what happens overall.

Characters

Who they are? List their arcs and relationships to one another.

Writing Style

Does the style you’ve written the novel in work? Is it consistent (something that should be obvious with a thorough read-through)? Is there a certain chapter/scene that is the standard of how the entire novel should be written? If so, make sure every chapter reads like it.

The Little Details

This section of the letter is for the little details that need attention, such as the eye color of each character, if an event is repeatedly mentioned, if the knife found at the murder scene was foreshadowed correctly, and if the killer escaping through the building is factually correct.

This is where you’ll make notes of the details that need to be double-checked, ironed out, and removed or corrected.

Direction

While telling another writer how to write/fix things (unless they have specifically asked you to) is a no-no, this edit letter is for yourself, and you need to tell yourself how to fix things.

Put those directions here. It’s not helpful to say chapter three is boring; write why it’s boring and brainstorm how you’ll make it exciting.

Expectations

When noting down what needs to be revised, don’t forget to include what you want the book to be. Kick-Ass and Awesome, as true as it might be, is too general. If you want the reader to feel sorry for your villain, cry along with your main character, or swoon at the love story, put that in your edit letter. Note down those goals so you can ensure you’ve hit them.

If you want this book to be the one to land you an agent, a bestseller flag on Amazon, a publishing deal, or an award, put it in print! You’re the only one reading this. Allow yourself to be open and dream big.

An edit letter might seem like a lot of work, but remember, you only have to include what you want to, not everything listed here. It’s your edit letter, your rules.

When you’ve completed your version of an edit letter, you should have a very clear idea of your book. You should know what works, what doesn’t, what needs to be removed, what still needs work, what you want the final version to be, and how to get there. And that’s why every writer should write one.

— K.M. Allan

Have you ever written yourself an edit letter or received one? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

Find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.