Can an 80-year old understand what you wrote?

Hey Anon.

This week we’re going to be talking a little about editing.

Because it is THE most important part of writing, and most writers suck at it.

Until last year, I did too.

I poured my heart and soul into my writing, only to be met with polite rejections or crickets chirping. It was demoralizing.

That was until I discovered 4 dead-simple editing tips that turned my writing around. This is going to make your writing so simple & easy to understand (without losing out on it’s impact of course) even an 80-year old could read it.

Let’s dive right in:

1. Reverse Editing: The Backward Brain Tango

You might be under the notion that editing is just skimming from top to bottom, right?

Nope.

That's like trying to mop the floor with your socks on – kinda effective but mostly just slipping around.

Let's flip it.

Start from the end and move backward. This tip forces you to look at each sentence naked – stripped of its context, allowing you to spot the ugly ones that don't belong.

Quick Exercise: Grab a paragraph from your latest content piece. Give it the reverse treatment for 5 minutes. Watch as those sneaky typos and awkward phrases start waving at you.

2. The Waiting Game: Chill, Then Edit

Jumping into editing right after typing that last word is like taste-testing your cold-brew without letting it simmer.

Let me tell ya, it tastes like horse piss.

(Don’t ask me how I know what horse piss tastes like)

Give your writing a solid 12-24 hours of chilling in the fridge. There’s going to be a ton of fresh perspectives & a ton of “Dafaq is this line doing over here?”

Quick Exercise: Finish your draft, then go binge-watch your favorite show or take a walk. Set a timer for your grand return. This little break is your secret sauce to spotting what's hot and what's not.

3. Mouth Editing: Say It Out Loud

Ever read your stuff and think it sounds like a robot having a bad day?

Here's the fix: read it out loud.

If you're tripping over words or gasping for breath mid-sentence, it's time for a trim. This method is like having a convo with your draft, smoothing out the rough edges until it sounds like sweet, sweet music.

Quick Exercise: Pick a long form post and read it out loud. Notice where you stumble. That's your edit spot.

4. Linear Check: The Logic Ladder

Ever feel like your ideas are playing hopscotch, jumping around without a clear path?

It's time for a linear check.

Make sure your thoughts are lined up like ducks in a row, each one quacking right after the other in a logical sequence. This keeps your reader hooked, following your trail of breadcrumbs to the end.

Quick Win: Sketch a quick map of your main points. Seeing them laid out helps you shuffle things around until it feels like you're sliding down a smooth slide, not climbing a tree with missing branches.

And there you have it – your editing toolkit to transform "meh" into "wow." Give these tricks a whirl, and watch your writing shine.

Got questions or an editing tip that works for you?

Hit reply and share your wisdom.

That’s about it for today.

I’ll see you next time.

Cheers.