5 Line Editing Tips to Make Your Prose Shine

Line editing is a critical step in the revision process, yet writers often feel least equipped for it. You may sense that something in your prose isn't working, but identifying what to adjust can be surprisingly tricky. And because line-level changes tend to be subtle, this part of the process can feel slow or overwhelming.

That’s why I brought together three expert book coaches and editors to share their most effective line editing strategies. Karyn Fischer, Alice Sudlow, and Julie Artz work with writers every day to strengthen their prose, refine clarity, and shape sentences with more intention. I’m also sharing two of my go-to approaches to help you line-edit with more confidence and ease.

If you've ever felt unsure about how to refine your writing at the sentence level, this guide will help you understand what to prioritize and how to approach the process to build clarity.

Tip #1: Strengthen Your Sentences With Dynamic Verbs

One of the fastest ways to improve your prose is by choosing dynamic verbs that create stronger images on the page. This is one of Karyn Fischer’s favorite line editing strategies because dynamic verbs immediately make your writing feel more active and intentional.

Many early drafts rely on static verbs such as was, were, had, felt, or seemed. There’s nothing inherently wrong with these verbs, but when you use them too often, the writing can feel vague or passive. Dynamic verbs help you communicate the same idea in a more vivid and specific way.

For example, instead of writing “She was walking toward the door,” try “She hurried toward the door.” Instead of “The neon sign was glowing,” try “The neon sign flickered.” These small shifts help readers gain a deeper, more vivid understanding of what is happening in that scene.

Here's a simple exercise to help you with this: Take one page of your manuscript and circle every verb. Look for places where you can replace static verbs with more active choices. You will see a noticeable difference in the energy of your sentences.

Tip #2: Follow a Clear Line Editing Hierarchy So You Stay Focused

Writers often get overwhelmed during line editing because they try to fix everything at once. They want clearer sentences, stronger phrasing, better rhythm, more emotion, and more precision. All of these things matter, but trying to tackle them all at once creates confusion.

A simple solution is to follow a three-step line editing hierarchy that helps you focus on the right thing at the right time. 

First, focus on clarity. Your reader should always understand what is happening physically and emotionally in a scene. If clarity is missing, no amount of polishing will fix the issue.

Next, look at the flow. This is where you review how your sentences and paragraphs connect. Ask yourself whether the pacing matches the scene's emotion. Look for places where you can smooth transitions, remove unnecessary repetition, or adjust pacing so that it aligns more naturally with your character’s experience.

Only after clarity and flow are established should you move into polishing. Polishing includes refining your language, tightening word choice, removing filler words, and shaping rhythm. This is the part of line editing most writers want to jump to first, but saving it for last actually makes the process much easier.

Tip #3: Edit With the Bigger Story Purpose in Mind

According to developmental editor Alice Sudlow, strong line editing depends on understanding the bigger purpose of your story. You cannot make confident decisions about sentences unless you know how each scene fits into the larger arc.

Before you start revising sentences, take a moment to reflect on what the scene is trying to accomplish. What shifts emotionally? What new insight does the character gain? What tension increases? What conflict deepens? When you understand the purpose behind the scene, your line-level choices become much clearer.

For example, if a scene is meant to reveal a character's vulnerability, you may want to emphasize interiority and slow the pacing. If a scene is intended to increase tension or urgency, you might shorten sentences or cut unnecessary descriptions. If the purpose is to reveal a turning point, you may want to highlight contradictions or emotional pressure.

This approach helps you line-edit with intention rather than guess. You are shaping your prose to support the emotional arc of the scene rather than polishing sentences in isolation.

Tip #4: Create Rhythm by Varying Your Sentence Structure

Sentence rhythm plays a bigger role in your writing than you might think. Even when your meaning is clear, monotonous sentence structures can make a passage feel flat or heavy. Rhythm affects pacing, emotional impact, and how easily readers move through your story.

One of the easiest ways to improve rhythm is to vary your sentence structure. Short sentences can add impact, tension, and emotional weight. They work exceptionally well in moments of surprise, fear, or urgency. Longer sentences provide space for reflection or description. They help readers settle into a moment or follow a more complex thought.

The key is moderation. Too many short sentences can feel choppy and abrupt. Too many long sentences can feel overwhelming. A mix of the two creates a more natural, engaging rhythm.

Reading your work out loud is a simple and effective way to check the rhythm of your writing. Your ear will immediately pick up on sentences that feel repetitive or awkward, even when your eyes skim past them.

Tip #5: Use Practical Line Editing Tools to Tighten Your Manuscript

Julie Artz, a certified book coach and experienced editor, shares several practical tools that make line editing more manageable. One of the simplest tools is reading your manuscript out loud. This helps you catch repeated words, clunky phrasing, and places where your sentences do not flow naturally.

Julie also recommends identifying your junk words. Most writers rely on certain filler words without realizing it. These include just, that, really, very, or suddenly. Removing unnecessary filler words can make your prose feel tighter and more intentional.

Another helpful strategy is to trim the beginnings and endings of scenes. Writers often warm up their scenes with unnecessary lead-ins and cool them down with extra lines that do not add meaning. Cutting these helps your pacing stay clean and purposeful.

Julie also encourages writers to pay attention to the balance of description, action, and interiority within a scene. Adjusting this balance can help your prose better align with the tone and intention of the moment.

Final Thoughts About Line Editing 

Line editing can feel intimidating, but it becomes much more manageable when you understand what to prioritize and how to approach the process. By focusing on clarity first, then flow, and finally polish, you can move through this stage with confidence rather than overwhelm.

Each of the expert tips we explored can help you strengthen your prose in different ways. Dynamic verbs increase the energy of your sentences. A clear hierarchy enables you to stay focused. Understanding the purpose of each scene guides your line-level choices. Varying sentence structure improves rhythm. Practical tools help you tighten your manuscript with less stress.

Line editing is a skill that develops over time, but these strategies can help you make steady, meaningful progress. Whether you are revising your first draft or refining a more advanced manuscript, these tips will support you in writing clearer, smoother, and more intentional prose.

👉 Want more help right now? Check out these free resources:

• Listen to the Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast for weekly writing guidance
• Take the Author Success Blueprint Quiz to get personalized next steps for your writing, editing, and publishing journey

Download my free Editing Roadmap Guide for a clearer, more structured path through revision. It breaks down each phase of editing step by step, so you always know what to focus on next without second-guessing yourself.