When you’re writing well, you’re very aware of whether your similes and metaphors are working.
A skilled writer knows how to evaluate their language, and if something doesn’t work, they’re quick to remove it. This level of critical thinking is essential for honing your writing craft.
One piece of advice about editing your own work that resonates with many of my book coaching clients, like Dos Passos said, is that the easiest way to tell or the only way that you can tell the quality of your own work is by judging the quality of the pieces that you’ve taken out.
As you refine your draft, the first things to go are typically the most obvious missteps—the “garbage.” By taking out the weakest parts, you can then assess, What’s the best thing I’ve taken out so far?
If the answer is, “It’s still not very good,” then it’s a sign to keep digging. This process is part of mastering the writing craft. With each revision, you become more critical of your own work, and eventually, you reach the point where you’re removing sections that are actually good—but not great.
For example, there might be a metaphor that you adore. It’s clever and meaningful, but if it doesn’t serve the story, the character, or the sentence, it might need to go. This is where working with a writing coach can make a difference. They offer personalized support and help you identify what strengthens your story versus what holds it back.
Not all metaphors need to go, of course. It’s about determining their quality and whether they move the story forward.
If you’re struggling to make these decisions on your own, book coaching services can provide valuable guidance. A book coach can help you enhance your writing skills, improve your editing process, and ensure that your final draft reflects your best work.
