Half baked but looking pretty good

 

This is a big moment. Seriously. Look at what you've done.  You've finally written that story, and from what you can see it's pretty good. Bravo. Kudos. Your story is now half baked. But as anyone who has ever been served undercooked bread knows, there is still a way to go. Yes the "E" word is now rearing it's head. The big Edit is on deck. Before we do that though, I encourage, nay, implore you to read over your masterpiece a few more times. Are there things you would like to change, gratuitous lines you can delete? What about those troublesome words that don't quite fit. This is the time. Before you start the mechanics of editing, try to make sure you story is pretty much where you want it to be. No sense editing words you are going to cut, or fixing grammar in sentences that are going to get chopped. 

   The biggest caveat involves being too verbose. Writer's, like speech makers, get impressed with their own words, and tend to use more than they need. In writing, despite the number of thousand page novels around, bigger is not necessarily better. Some writing coaches suggest looking at your word count and cutting 20% off the bat. I don't find those kinds of blanket statements that helpful, but the premise is pretty sound. Check for repetitions, over use of adjectives and adverbs, anything which distracts from the story and is mere self-indulgence.

   So while this isn't your last chance to make overhauls, that comes once you submit your work, this is definitely the best time.