MS written, but needs editing/rewriting. Tips?

It depends upon what you're intending with the rewrite. I find that having particular focus on the rewrite helps with your purpose. If you're seeking plot alterations, locate the sections applicable and fiddle in there. If you're seeking flow, I'd try doing it top to bottom (you can also correct typos and grammar mistakes, but don't forget to recheck any alterations you make).

If you're fortunate and can get someone to read your manuscript and take notes on mistakes, you can always spot-correct all of the issues; it goes a little quicker than a full, personal read-through.

Finally, I highly recommend reading it out loud. It tends to slow things down a bit, but you'll really notice the typos and awkward phrasing that way.

Professional editing or proofreading can also be an option, but it's a difficult thing to justify, in my opinion.

Without addressing quality of your story all writers have blind spots in their grammar, and I can't imagine addressing those issues without getting someone else to read through out.

It took me a while to find a decent writers group, but now that I have it has completely paid off. I'd look around on facebook and meetup for other sci-fi fantasy writers.

There are a lot of tricks that writers use. One is to do an entire revision while reading your MS out loud. Another is to vary the type size: do an entire revision at 200%, then follow that up at 50%. This plays tricks on the eyes and makes you see things in different lights. Then do a revision where you're trying to imagine that each paragraph you're editing is the one that will go on the book jacket.

To follow up what DeathWiz just said: Read the manuscript aloud, and not too fast. You'll be amazed at the things you can catch by speech and sound that your eye simply slithers over without notice. If you read a sentence aloud, and stumble doing so, take a closer look at it. If you read something aloud, and stumble twice, it's a near-certainty that the sentence needs revised.

You'll also catch bigger fish, like continuity errors, inconsistencies, superfluous and repetitive words and phrases, etc. by doing this.

caw

Not only does it help, but it is really fun to have your computer read your work aloud. Download this Text to Speach program.

Another tip to add: Write something new. Come back to this with fresh eyes. That helps a lot.

deathwizard said:

Another is to vary the type size: do an entire revision at 200%, then follow that up at 50%. This plays tricks on the eyes and makes you see things in different lights. Then do a revision where you're trying to imagine that each paragraph you're editing is the one that will go on the book jacket.

Click to expand...

I love these two revision ideas...

^ I do that except... I revise at 50%, then print and do a hard copy revision with a pen.