self-editing
Correcting your own
Self-editing is the process of revising and correcting one's own writing before showing it to others.
Writers self-edit to catch errors, tighten prose, and clarify meaning: I spent an hour self-editing before submitting the manuscript.
The term also describes the mental habit of filtering one's speech or thoughts, often from anxiety or social pressure: She's constantly self-editing, afraid to say the wrong thing.
Altering to improve
- proofreadingChecking text for mistakes
- draftingCreating technical blueprints
- rewritingComposing text anew
- polishingSmoothing by friction
manuscript · delete · cut · tighten · wordcount · redundancy · clarity · concision
Mental check on behavior
- filteringSelective passage of elements
- restraintControl over impulses
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- inner criticHarsh internal self-judgment
perfectionism · overthinking · second-guessing · holding back · rumination · hesitation · caution · repression
Selective passage of elements
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- rephraseExpress differently
- bite tongueDeliberately not speak
- word choiceSelection of vocabulary
tactful · diplomatic · measured · careful · backtrack · soften · hedge · retract
Remove or erase
- backspaceKeyboard's leftward eraser
- undoReverse a prior action
- autocorrectAutomatic spelling correction
- spellcheckText error detector
grammar check · cursor · highlight · cut and paste · text box · comment · typing · keystroke
revision
Altering to improve
- proofreadingChecking text for mistakes
- draftingCreating technical blueprints
- rewritingComposing text anew
polishing · manuscript · delete · cut · tighten · wordcount · redundancy · clarity · concision · prose
inhibition
Mental check on behavior
- filteringSelective passage of elements
- restraintControl over impulses
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
inner critic · perfectionism · overthinking · second-guessing · holding back · rumination · hesitation · caution · repression · guardedness
filtering
Selective passage of elements
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- rephraseExpress differently
- bite tongueDeliberately not speak
word choice · tactful · diplomatic · measured · careful · backtrack · soften · hedge · retract · clarify
delete
Remove or erase
- backspaceKeyboard's leftward eraser
- undoReverse a prior action
- autocorrectAutomatic spelling correction
spellcheck · grammar check · cursor · highlight · cut and paste · text box · comment · typing · keystroke · unsend
footage
Recorded video material
- cutting roomPost-production editing space
- assemblyConstructing from components
- rough cutUnfinished film version
timeline · splice · sequence · continuity · director · final cut · rushes · trim · montage · post-production
- editingcut, copy, paste, delete, undo
- writing challengeswriter's block, procrastination, plot holes, weak dialogue, character development
- writingwriting, drafting, authors, author, books
self-editingpeer review
Expert evaluation before publication
collaborative editing · editorial review · copy editing · editorial oversight
self-editingstream of consciousness
Narrative mimicking uninterrupted thought
free writing · automatic writing · off-the-cuff · first draft · word vomit
self-editingspontaneity
Acting without forethought
verbal diarrhea · blurting out · impulsivity · disinhibition · letting loose
self, edit, editing, selves, selfish, selfhood, selfless, selfishly, selflessness