The 21-Day Rule for Writers: How to Make Self-Editing a Habit That Sticks

Psychologists tell us that it takes at least 21 days of consistency before an action starts to become a habit.

Becoming a better self editor takes real work. There's no shortcut to follow (believe me, if I knew one, I'd tell you!) and the messy middle can be messier than a group of monkeys locked in a china shop with a vat of finger paints. It's challenging to recognize when your scenes aren't pulling their weight or when you've used too many words to say something clearly. We need to practice. We need to fail on the way to success.

Learning this skill is the art AND the science of good writing.

Wordiness is one of the most common issues, and recognizing what to prune isn't automatic. First you'll start noticing the verys and reallys. Then the in order tos and there ares. The more you prune, the more dead wood you'll see. Eventually, your sentences will come out much more sharp and clear at the outset, giving you less to cut and more time to finesse into pleasing shapes. This takes time and attention. No one size fits all answer exists, because every writer is different.

But interestingly, that's why self-editing is a skill, and like any skill, we can always improve our work. Yes, parts of the skill become habit, but other parts simply reflect your growing competence as you revise. Good instincts develop from consistent attention to the reality of your sentences.

Actively engage with your craft. That will mean experimentation, which is fun! And noticing techniques in what you read from other writers, which is a delight! And seeing your writing improve, which is beyond gratifying!

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