Rewriting Makes Great Writing

We at AuthorHouse UK believe that one of the most common failings in writing is to try and edit your work as you go. So instead of getting your great masterpiece out and on paper you tend to get bogged down in the minutiae of editing. The general consensus amongst published authors is to write your book then edit your book.

Let’s say you wrote half a chapter yesterday. Do not today spend most of your time editing those pages line by line as you will not get any new writing done. Just spend a few minutes cleaning up the obvious typos etc. the obvious stuff. This has the dual advantages of quickly getting the initial general edit done without limiting your creative juices in getting the next part of your manuscript down on paper.
Leave space and time for editing

Once you have finished your manuscript leave it alone for a time. Many great writers (e.g. Stephen King) swear by this tactic. The temptation is to dive straight in; however giving the edit space should allow you a fresh, more objective approach when you start your edit.
The Edit Itself!

There are two distinct elements to book editing. The first is to checking the fundamental structure of your book. How it shapes, its pacing and rhythm, the characterisation and the narrative elements. This is particularly important for you fiction writers out there. Also please take note that for this part of the edit you need to be brutally honest and chop out the chaff and leave in the good stuff, then rewrite where you need to. I promise that you will have a better book afterwards.

The second is looking at your writing style, making it say what you want it to, making it readable, accurate, effective and interesting.

Original article via http://www.authorhouseselfpublishing.co.uk/authorhouse/editing-tips/rewriting-makes-great-writing