J.M. Arlen

Once the book was really done I needed beta readers. And there were lots of them. I think around fifty throughout the entire process? But there were three big ones who were the most important, who saw most of the changes I made. It’s hard to understate the importance of a beta reader because through them you get to see the story with fresh eyes, something almost impossible for writers to accomplish on their own. (Although taking a long break can sometimes give you a fresh mind when you come back. Three months is considered the minimum, but the longer the better. In the meantime you can write another book.) They pick up missing information, plot holes, bad dialogue, bad pacing, bad scenes. A good beta reader is the most important part when editing. They see what you can't.

Something else I did to help myself with editing, specifically pacing and dialogue, was read my story aloud. I’ve read my entire story out loud probably a dozen times. It allows you to listen to your words instead of reading them, and hear what they might sound like if they came out of your characters' mouths so you can make interactions feel more realistic. I also try to visualize every scene as if I’m standing there with my characters. I try to imagine how long these places have existed, and who might have inhabited them throughout their lives. And with characters I tried to become each character, so see their motivations and fears. To feel their voice in my mouth when I write their words.

It was always to improve the story, make it better, more realistic. Because nothing is ever perfect.