Proof-reading Your Own Work

Rereading you own work is possibly one of the hardest things any writer absolutely has to do. What you are doing is scanning the structure of your work for defects that may or may not involve possibly costly repairs, or, in the worst case, demolition. A leaky roof here and there or maybe at light-fixture not properly installed are minor problems, what you worry about is the opening paragraph being shit, or the necessity to pare down whole pages of monotonous padding. All kinds of things seem good when you first think of them then embarrassing after a few weeks. The thing is to not be sentimental about your work, do not put too much hope in any one story as you write, and do not count on "inspiration".

Every writer should be in the process of becoming a better writer. You never stop learning, and you should never try to stop learning. Some of us born without natural talent may need to work especially hard at honing stories to where they can work, hence the necessity of re-reading. Of course, it's discouraging if your own work embarrasses and depresses you, but if it does, then it means that you do have some kind of judgment, the next one, hopefully, will not repeat the mistakes of the first.

List of Proof Reading Tips