Personally, I love editing -- but I prefer editing others' work over my own. I find it difficult to edit my own work, at least not before I've had someone else look at it and let me know the biggest/most glaring issues. Starting that second draft is always so difficult -- what do you leave out and keep in? On the other hand, there's nothing like the feeling you get after you complete a second draft! It really feels like an accomplishment.

I love editing, though I often find I don't edit my own work as much because I'm too close to it. I do copyedits on my own work obviously, but I always need to send work to a friend or two before I can fix things on my own work. I also think editing is what sets it apart from being a hobby from more of a career. It's often said that anyone can write (which I don't think is wholly true but that's another topic) but it takes some level of education in the matter to be able to polish a piece and edit in a way that goes beyond "Oh, I think it's good. I like it."

I love editing ahha, it's my favorite part actually because you usually have taken time away from the piece and can see it more for what it is. And then, when you're disappointed, you get it fix it. It can be really frustrating when you know there's a problem but don't know what to do about it, but usually if you spend enough time with something you can figure it out. And it's absurdly satisfying when you do! I prefer to edit my own stuff, as I can be ruthless with it, but working with somebody else is really interesting and I usually learn a lot from talking through their pieces and their thought process behind them.

I used to be great at editing, or SO I THOUGHT. Once I walked through the doors of a college-grade English tutor, my paper was torn to shreds by a young tutor armed with an English major. As for personally editing my own stories, I see each mistake in the writing as a puzzle waiting to be figured out, so that every reader can better understand the story.

I've grown to love editing. As a writer, I still hate that I can't get it right on the first draft. However, I love to edit other people's stories, to show them all the possibilities that exist with their narratives.

I used to hate editing, but as I have grown in my writing I learned to love it. It's more the process of sitting down and fixing (or "Killing my Darling" as an undergrad prof described it) my stories that is tough. But in the end, editing makes my story better and I can't hate that.

I do love to edit! I think it's soothing to sit down and go over things with a mind to straighten out a story, especially if it was written hastily (_cough_ NaNoWriMo _cough_). I recently stumbled upon some fiction I wrote over ten years ago and it has been a delight going through that and mending the plot holes, revamping the scenery, etc. but also enjoying a work so distant from me now.

They say good writing is editing; I don't know if editing is the same as rewriting because I always do the latter. If I look at my work again, I'll rewrite and rewrite and never get to editing. I'm worse than zero at editing, but I go through my work again if I think something can be improved in terms of clarity.

Yes. Whether it's my own stories, or a friend's. I do find I have to leave mine to sit for a while before I can go back and objectively edit. I enjoy taking in the whole story and then gently (or not so gently) pulling it apart to look at the insides.

I love editing because it will polish my story and make it look professional. At the same time I hate editing because I will have multiple people at my story and each one and give me different views on how I could do things so it’s hard to take everybody’s ideas into consideration not knowing which one is the best and will fit my story to make it professional.

Yes! I'm studying publishing at the moment :) loving our editing module. Our year is spent working real-life books from manuscript through to publication. We're all currently stuck into editing and it is the best. I like editing my own work, but I do find it hard not to edit as I write. Definitely more of a Discovery Writer (thanks for the term, Brandon Sanderson) but it can be hard to keep writing when you get stuck at a scene - and if I start editing instead, that throws off the creative part of my brain :)

How do you guys edit your stories? Where do you go to and your stories? I am currently working on a fiction novel and would like to find out where I can get some free editing. This site from the owner told me they only edit short stories and poetry.

I love to edit, and I think that comes from my love of reading and my desire to work with other writers. Anytime a friend of mine is writing something new I offer to edit it for them a) because I'd love to help them out any way I can and b) because I just want to read what they're writing. When it comes to writing my own stuff, it's kind of hit or miss. I know that there is only so much I can do for it (cleaning it up here and there) before I need another, fresh pair of eyes on it.

@macbowers - I love that about having writer friends. You get access to some good work sometimes simply because you offer to put a second pair of eyes on their writing.

Can anyone recommend any free editing software? Thanks.

I dont mind editing. I think errors that confuse the reader should be the only edits. Other than that I have read my story several times and Im the one who wrote it and I dont want anyone or anything (app) touching my work.

Having a second pair of eyes looking at your work is essential because you get too close to your own work.

@keaneja I can agree and understand that. It’s like a reality check. I have a few people I ask to read mostly to get their view. I just don’t want to be edited because it’s my art. It’s like a Picasso and their are no mistakes in art.

I'm editing a novel I've written and in the rewriting I'm learning more about the characters and story.

I heard that one method for editing is reading the manuscript out loud and, if possible, with someone else listening. You become aware of the music of your writing as well as its impact on the listener.