Learning to self-edit by helping other writers

I started writing more years ago than I want to count, so that’s one number I won’t post. My first book was published 13 years ago by Westside Books, making me a published author one year longer than I have been a Genre-ista. During that time I have written two or more short stories and flash fiction each year, two traditionally published novels, one traditionally published non-fiction book, and two self-published novels. I guarantee that I most of my success, and a lot of the strength that kept me plugging away during the lean times, came because of my association with writing organizations and critique groups. 

I found my agent after I submitted an entry to an RWA sponsored writing contest. In those contests a set of judges looked over entires and sent back feedback. Those objective eyes gave me information that helped me upgrade my manuscript to make it publication ready. Not only did the agent who served as the final judge of one contest offer me representation, but the acquiring editor who published the book told me I only needed "light" editing. (But it still felt like a lot of changes, at least to me.) 

Shortly after that book was published, I began volunteering to judge in writing contests. This was my way of giving back by providing assistance to other aspiring authors. The work gave me a number of unexpected benefits. 

First, I quickly understood the role of agents better than I had before. I saw a number of great submissions, enries where I desperatly wanted to know what happened next (remember, we only looked at the first 25 pages.) Even a decade later, I remember 2  where I hoped they would be published soon. I loved those author's voices and still want to know how those books ended. 

I also saw manuscripts that needed a lot of work. I dutifully read every word, although there were often voice and other issues on the first page that foreshadowed problems that permeated the pages. I did so, because I had to give feedback, information that would help the aspiring author the way the feedback I had received helped me. 

The final thing I learned from reading judging those manuscripts  - how much my brain did its own form of auto-correct when I performed self-editing. I often saw things in the writing of others that mirrored things I did in my own writing. I tended to consider my writing "brilliant". That was my internal  auto-correct happening. When I read writing from authors who used some of the same writing techniques I did, my brain did not don rose colored glasses.  My ability to self-edit improved. 

 I did my best to give information that would be useful and yet not overwhelming.  As I said, occasionally I got a manuscript that was so awesome there was almost nothing to say other than Great Job. But there were others where being helpful and encouraging was a challenge. I would love to think those authors used my feedback to take took another look at their writing. That they self-edited their work to give their characters and plots the air of life they deserve. That they all ended up making stories that would keep readers turning pages.  And those are the stories agents and editors are asking for.

I challenge you to add to your toolbox of skills by working o help others. Become someone's critique partner, provide them with constructive feedback and see what that effort does to your own writing. I know the effort still helps improve my writing.