If you’ve been writing for a while now, you’ll probably agree when I say that writing is easy, but editing is hard. You’re probably familiar with that feeling of relief and giddy excitement when you finish a draft, only to realize that you’ll have to go through your work again. Ugh.
When I worked as a copy editor many years ago, I encountered writers who never reviewed their work before they handed it over for editing. And I get it — editing may feel a lot like a chore especially when you just barely survived the first draft, when you had to trudge through your draft, sentence by sentence.
But here’s the thing: Editing is where the magic happens — and I’m saying this not just as a former copy editor.
Editing is the part of the creation process where clunky, overstuffed sentences can be transformed into effective copy. It’s where you can polish your article and make it more engaging.
How can we achieve that?
Here’s the simple answer: you have to edit your copy ruthlessly.
Now, I know that sounds intense. And it is. Editing ruthlessly means cutting, slashing, and rewriting without mercy. It means killing your darlings (yes, even that rambling sentence peppered with a couple of correctly placed em dashes).
In this article, I’ll talk about why editing should be every writer’s secret weapon, how to do it like a pro, and the tools that’ll make your life easier.
How ruthless editing can benefit your work
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why editing matters so much.
Readers have short attention spans.
Did you know that you have only 8 seconds to capture your audience’s attention before they move on? (That’s less time than it took you to read this sentence.)
With attention spans being shorter than ever, every word counts — if you can’t manage to hook your reader from the first sentence, you’ll lose them. By reviewing your work, you’ll find opportunities to tighten your writing and make it more compelling.
Clarity is everything.
Ever read something and thought, “What on earth is this person trying to say?” Yeah, that’s what happens when we simply click the “publish” button when we’re done writing.
Ruthless editing forces you to strip away the fluff and get to the point. It’s about making your message crystal clear so your readers don’t have to work to understand you. In doing so, you demonstrate that you respect your audience’s time and attention.
Well-written work doesn’t appear by accident.
Your first draft is not always your best work. Editing helps you improve your article’s overall flow and structure, and allows you to retain only your best ideas. By homing in on your core message, your writing can become more persuasive.
A step-by-step guide on how to edit ruthlessly
Step 1. Take a break from your work.
Here’s a rookie mistake: editing right after you finish writing.
When you’re too close to your work, you’re blind to its flaws. Step away from your draft for a couple of hours (or even a day, if time permits) and come back with fresh eyes. Trust me, you’ll be able to spot issues you didn’t notice before.
Personal anecdote time: Once, I wrote a blog post late at night and thought it was pure gold. The next morning, I reread it and realized it was more like… fool’s gold. (Cue the sound of crickets here.) It was all over the place. The sentences were clumsily stringed together, like a bunch of strangers at work forced to interact at a mid-afternoon party.
Step 2. Have a clear goal for your piece.
Before you set out to edit your work, make sure you understand what your primary goal is — and stick to it. Cut tangents or irrelevant details that dilute your work’s impact. If a section doesn’t support your main idea, it’s better left out. This ensures your readers stay engaged and walk away with the message you intend to have them take away.
Step 3. Prepare to get brutal.
Sometimes, you’ll write a sentence or phrase that you absolutely love, but it doesn’t serve the overall piece. Be brave and cut it. Your writing will be stronger for it.
Step 4. Get started with the edits!
Editing can feel a bit overwhelming when you don’t have a process in place. Start by creating a mental checklist of what you want to achieve with your editing session.
My typical editing process looks like this:
- Eliminate filler words.
- Reword clunky sentences and fix any awkward phrasing.
- Simplify the language.
- Check for consistency in tone and style.
- Make sure the piece “flows” well.
- Proofread and correct any errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Below I’ll share more tips about each of these process steps and talk about them in more detail.
Eliminate filler words
Cut words like “just,” “very,” and “really”—they dilute your message. Replace clunky phrases like “due to the fact that” with simpler alternatives like “because.” This makes your writing more concise and impactful.
Reword clunky sentences and fix any awkward phrasing
Awkward phrasing can confuse readers. I’ve written two blog posts on this topic: one on how to avoid awkward writing and another on examples of awkward phrasing.
Simplify the language
I’m not a fan of big words and needlessly complex sentences. They don’t make you sound smart; they make you sound pretentious. Use simple, straightforward language that anyone can understand.
Check for consistency in tone and style
Inconsistent tone, style, or formatting can make your writing feel disjointed. Make sure your voice stays consistent throughout the piece. If you’re writing for a brand, follow their style guide.
Make sure the piece “flows” well
A well-structured piece is easy to follow. Start with a strong hook, organize your points logically, and end with a clear call-to-action. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break up text.
Pro tip: Read your copy out loud. If it doesn’t sound good, rewrite it. If you stumble over sentences or find yourself losing interest, try revising for smoother transitions and better organization of ideas.
(You’ll notice that I always use “flow” with quotation marks. I think this is something that’s hard to teach and can be truly subjective. Besides how you organize your thoughts, “flow” can also refer to how your copy reads – the rhythm, cadence, the flavorful use of language, everything goes into that.)
Proofread and correct any errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation
True story: I once sent a client a draft with the word “pubic” instead of “public.” Let’s just say I’ve been extra careful with proofreading ever since.
Tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor can help, but don’t rely on them blindly. Always review your work carefully and rely on your good judgment.
Step 5. Seek feedback, if possible.
A fresh set of eyes can catch what you’ve missed. Share your work with a colleague or trusted peer and ask for constructive criticism.
You can also try using ChatGPT, Gemini, or DeepSeek for suggestions on how you can improve your work, but be careful not to introduce errors at this stage – always check any factual claims made by generative AI.
Step 6. Make final revisions.
Based on the feedback you received and your own judgment, make any necessary final revisions.
And voila! You’re done.
Final thoughts
Editing isn’t just about rooting out errors in your writing; it’s about elevating your work. It’s about respecting your readers’ time and attention by giving them the best possible version of your piece.
So, the next time you finish a draft, don’t hit “publish” just yet. Take a deep breath, grab your metaphorical red pen, and edit like your career depends on it. Because, in a way, it does.
Let’s be real: No one nails it on the first draft. And even when you do, there’s always room to make good writing become great — through relentless, ruthless editing.
Now, go forth and edit like a pro. Your readers (and your clients) will thank you.