Editing Your Manuscript: A Step-by-Step Guide
Three layers of feedback, plus the safety net to edit boldly: here's how to use Writing Desk's editorial tools together.
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1
Check spelling and grammar
Open Proofreader for spelling, grammar, and style suggestions, including filter words, weak intensifiers, weak adverbs, and repetition.
Screenshot needed: Proofreader suggestions highlighted inline -
2
Open Prose Analysis
From the Analysis dropdown, open Prose Analysis to review sentence length, passive voice, telling versus showing, and repeated sentence openings.
Screenshot needed: The Prose Analysis panel with style metrics -
3
Run an AI Editor review
Open the AI Editor to run a review across four editorial lenses, highlighting a chapter's strengths and potential areas for improvement.
Screenshot needed: The AI Editor review panel -
4
Read the feedback
AI Editorial feedback is a good way to get quick insights and hone your writing as you go, but it should never replace human feedback.
Screenshot needed: AI Editor feedback on an uneven emotional arc -
5
Create a Chapter Variant
Create a Chapter Variant to edit a second copy of a chapter side by side with the original, for example to try a different point of view.
Screenshot needed: A Chapter Variant open side by side with the original -
6
Manage variants
Right-click a variant to rename it or promote it to active status.
Screenshot needed: The right-click menu on a Chapter Variant -
7
Open Version History
Click the hamburger menu, then Version History, to see the last 10 versions of your document, saved automatically as you edit.
Screenshot needed: Version History listing the last 10 saved versions -
8
Use Finish Draft
Click Finish Draft to save a snapshot of your manuscript alongside your current file, so you can keep editing knowing you can always go back.
Screenshot needed: The Finish Draft confirmation
Want to see it in motion?
Watch the full walkthrough video on the Writing & Editing help page.