Discussion: Do You Print Your MS for Editing?

Photo credit: mpclemens on Flickr

So with revisions coming up for me, I’ve been naturally thinking about editing. A lot. And as I’ve seen people on Twitter mention printing out their manuscripts and getting the red pens ready, it occurred to me that it’s been a while since I’ve actually printed out a manuscript. Like, well over a year. Maybe even two.

Now, that’s not to say I haven’t done any revisions—on the contrary, I’ve done loads of revising over the last couple years. But after having printing issues a while back, it occurred to me that there are other ways to change formats so that I can look at the manuscript with fresh eyes.

• E-bookify! Exporting my draft as an e-book (using Scrivener) and reading it on an e-reader has been my favorite new method for a first read-through, specifically using iBooks on my iPad, which I’ve already blogged about.


• Font fun. I’ve also heard of people changing the font and font size between drafts, and while I haven’t tried that myself (yet), it sounds like an easy way to change the way you look at your WIP.


• Read it aloud. For purposes of revising for flow, reading your book aloud to your dog, a family member or an empty room works wonders.

So those are just a couple quick options, but now I want to hear from you: do you print your manuscript for editing?

Twitter-sized bites:

Can't print your MS out to edit? Here are a few other options to see your WIP in a new light. (Click to tweet)  

Writers, do you print your MS for editing? Join the discussion at @Ava_Jae's blog. (Click to tweet)