This chapter is dedicated to all my friends who participate in the Open Novella Contest!  We know the struggle. I know we've got this!! 

Turnaround time can be difficult. After 5 years of working on Wattpad as a writer to build my very small account (I've always struggled with followers), I've always kept a steady stream of content running, which is hard. You know what's even harder? Editing those drafts as fast as I pump them out.

Editing is hard. There, I said it.

I edit professionally, and I still struggle to take apart my own work. I think we can all relate to how difficult editing can be at one point or another.

In honor of the Open Novella Contest and the rapid-fire pace that ONC keeps me editing as fast as I write, I thought I'd take the time today to share some of my favorite tips for editing something quickly and efficiently when I don't have time to let it sit and rest.

Here is my quick guide of tips for editing when you're trying to drop one chapter after another.

1. Make the spelling errors and commas disappear! 

You want to make sure you have a clean copy for your readers. I use a grammar program for errant commas or mistyped words. That extra help makes a big difference. They aren't perfect, but neither am I. It's practically like having a second pair of eyes on the page.

2. Read that chapter again. 

I know you've probably already done this, but reading your chapter aloud helps! I hate reading out loud, but I find more mistakes that way, or I can pause and say, "That does not sound right, Eliana." Then, I readjust and read the line again.

3. Get a second opinion. 

Find someone to be your first reader. I use my partner and combine steps 2 and 3 by reading aloud to him since he likes audiobooks. He gives me impressions and sometimes even asks questions that make me take my stories in new directions, and we laugh off my mistakes together.

4. Work ahead. 

I'm usually at least two chapters ahead of where I'm posting. That gives me a little distance between writing and editing. Distance is your best friend when self-editing. Once you read the story a month after writing it, finding flaws is easier. If that isn't possible, try another idea.

5. Don't beat yourself up if you miss something. 

It can be embarrassing for someone to find an error. Thank the person brave enough to point out the mistake. They are an ally. Just remember that everyone has made a mistake like yours at some point in their lives. Even spell check isn't perfect (especially if you write fantasy like me).

Some of the funniest conversations I've had with fellow writers on Wattpad in their stories' comment sections have been about spelling errors. Just laugh it off if you accidentally typed pan instead of pants, and know we've all been there.

I hope these tips help you as you edit your projects. Let me know if you have any questions or want to share your own tips. The more we share and help each other, the more we can all grow as better writers. Let me know what you think of this chapter. If you have any questions or ideas, please tag me @eliana_elf to ask the editor.

This is The Elf Editor signing off,

@eliana_elf