Practical Suggestions for How to Scrutinise Your Own Work
This module, taught by award-winning writer and editor Anna Mackenzie, focuses on the line edit, providing practical suggestions for how you might scrutinise your work with the goal of ensuring your writing is clear and concise, maintains the reader’s attention, and offers no jarring notes.
Relevant to fiction and nonfiction, longform and short, the information and approaches covered in this session will be helpful to writers at all levels.
If you are interested in learning the basics of editing, you may want to take Anna's other Writer Toolkit module, Introduction to Editing
Module Content
By the end of this module, you will have identified:
- Ways to streamline your work
- Where you might apply the writing truisms ‘less is more’ and ‘show don’t tell’
- Different types of repetition
- The importance of trusting your readers
- Tips for identifying (and eliminating!) your personal writing ‘tic’s.
Learning Level
This module is part of our BrainFood series and designed for writers wanting to develop their editing skills.
Please note that you will be able to access the module for six months from the day you sign up.
Filming and editing by Clinton Phillips.
Anna Mackenzie
Anna Mackenzie writes fiction and non-fiction across a range of markets. Her nine novels, which include The Sea-wreck Stranger, Evie’s War, High Tide and Cattra’s Legacy, have earned her an NZ Post Honour Award, seven CLA Notable Book Awards, Sir Julius Vogel Award and White Raven (Germany). She teaches creative writing at Massey University, in schools and in the community, and has supported many new and established authors in developing their work and careers through manuscript assessments, mentoring and editing workshops. She spent seven years on the Board of NZSA working to protect the rights of authors, and remains committed to enhancing a vibrant national arts sector where creative work is respected and rewarded.
Editing: Every Word Counts Overview
We anticipate the core module will take up to one hour to complete. You will need internet access and writing materials ready (pen/paper or document open).