Practices for Sharpening Your Editorial Instincts

A printable guide from Ignite—

Developing your editorial eye takes practice, but the journey doesn't have to feel overwhelming. Here are seven practical ways to strengthen your editorial skills, each with a quick-start action to help you begin today.

Read Deeply in Your Genre

Read the top 10 books in your genre from the past year. Pay attention to how they handle the elements you struggle with in your own writing.

→ Quick Start: Pick up the latest bestseller in your genre. Read the first three chapters twice—once for pleasure, once analyzing craft.

Study Writing Craft Books (even the ones you think don't apply to you)

Don't skip craft books because you "know this already" or write in a different genre, format, or style. Each author brings unique insights to common writing challenges.

→ Quick Start: Choose a craft book that addresses your manuscript's biggest weakness. Read one chapter today.

Write About What You Read

Analyze books you love by writing short (1-2 page) essays about how they achieve specific effects, intentions, or craft elements. This transforms passive reading into active learning.

→ Quick Start: Write a single paragraph about how your favorite author handles dialogue or builds tension.

Practice Copywork

Hand-copy passages from books you admire. This age-old technique, used by Benjamin Franklin and Jack London, helps you internalize strong writing patterns.

→ Quick Start: Copy one page from your favorite book by hand. Notice the rhythm and craft of the sentences as you write.

Join a Writers Group

Regular feedback from other serious writers helps you spot patterns in your writing that need attention. More than this, all writers with the intentions of publishing one day must become involved in their literary community—and if a community doesn't exist, create one. Many of these writers will become lifelong pals.

→ Quick Start: Find one local or online writers group that focuses on your genre. Attend one meeting or read their guidelines.

Attend a Writing Workshop

We internalize regular feedback. In this way, workshops are not entirely about your piece. The biggest benefit is hearing how your skilled peers discuss craft and technical accuracy, and what they notice in each other's writing. These voices will become your internal editor on your future projects.

→ Quick Start: Research one upcoming workshop in your genre. Mark the application deadline on your calendar.

Experience a Writing Residency

Immerse yourself in a community of writers. The focused time and professional environment can transform your approach to revision. Several artist-found retreats are out there. Some have a selection process. Others are more like a writing retreat. Many prominent schools now offer low-residency MFA program—though you do not need an MFA to write a book or attend a residency.

→ Quick Start: Look up one writing residency program. Review their requirements and make note of their next deadline.

Remember, these aren't just tasks to check off a list. They're practices to incorporate into your writing life over time. Start with one that resonates most with you and build from there.

Ready to deepen your editorial expertise? Let's explore how these practices can transform your writing journey.