Most people mix drafting and editing. They start writing text, and after a few minutes they start pushing words around, rephrasing, and so on.
Writing every day for the past 10 months, I discovered this mix up makes both drafting and editing worse in outcome.
Therefore, I time block 10-15-25 minutes for editing. I only edit during these periods. This separation, started to bring benefits, and the quality of my text improved.
Here are the 7 benefits I discovered by separating editing from drafting:
Fresh perspective. If I let time pass after drafting, I have a fresh perspective on my text to edit it. This way I can detach myself and view it more objectively.
More critical eye: Editing needs attention to detail, self-criticism, and a bit of a "negative" attitude to refine my text, which is a very different from the creative, bubbly, positive energy of drafting new text.
Better logic: Editing needs to take a step back and see the overall structure of my work, to see the overall coherence and flow. Drafting however, is being totally "in the text". By separating, I can be more distant for the helicopter view.
Better error identification: I am more likely to identify errors if I get into the "editing mode". This is helpful to spot grammar mistakes, awkward phrasing, inaccurate facts. Things that are easy to overlook when in the creative drafting mode.
Higher objectivity: immediately after drafting, I am still emotionally invested in my work, which makes it more difficult to change, reduce, or delete parts completely. In editing mode, I am more ruthless in reducing and deleting.
Better clarity on quantity or quality: when drafting, the priority is on quantity, generating more output. In editing, I focus on the quality of the text. I can analyse the logical flow of arguments, transition between paragraphs, structure of sentences, overall readability.
Time to verify: editing involves fact checking, looking up references, verifying information. These are crucial for credibility. By separating these from drafting, I allow myself to spend the necessary time to cross-check my facts in the text.
To improve the editing of your writing, next time, time block 10 minutes for editing, and focus on editing only! I'm curious how this method works for you.