After you have edited your prose, you will most likely want to
take the process one step further and revise your entire work,
looking for sections that need improvement, clarification, or further
support in the form of more scenes. This is a somewhat more tricky
process, and relies on developing strong writer's intuition as to
what works and what doesn't. However, there are a few things you can
do to help you develop that intuition and hone your story.
Keep copious notes. If you are writing science fiction, a tale of
political intrigue, or anything that requires you to keep track of
many details, consider keeping notes. Good ideas sometimes come out
of nowhere and vanish just as unexpectedly if not recorded. Also, as
you begin to write each scene, jot down something quick about what
you expect that scene to accomplish, either in plot or character
development – and then put the notes aside. When you finish the
entire work, your notes can be a useful tool for deciding which
sections need work and what you can do about them. Writing down your
first impression, and then letting them sit in the back of your mind,
has a way of causing them to emerge more fully-formed when you need
them later.
Find a trusted reader. By "trusted," I don't mean
someone who will spare your feeling or give softball commentary on
your writing. Most writers come to crave constructive feedback that
helps them improve their craft, and if you find a reader who has a
strong understanding of what you are trying to say and how you can
better express it, you've stumbled onto a gold mine. It may take
sitting in on a few writing workshops to find such a reader, but I
don't, personally, recommend workshops on the long-term. Too much
input, too soon, can dilute your story; on the other hand, helpful
commentary from one person is more likely to leave you with an even
clearer sense of your own ideas.