Guild of Scene Crafters

Prep: Distance. I really can't stress this enough. Give yourself as much time as possible between when you last looked at your book and when you start editing.

Prep: Gather your supplies. You want to make sure that you have whatever you need at hand whenever you sit down to edit.

Create a scene list from memory. You can create a quick list on a sheet of paper and then fill out index cards with pertinent information (see video) or go straight to index cards. Editor's choice.  

Compare your list to the ToC or scene list. Print your list of scenes from your word processor, and compare your memory list to the actual list. Note which scenes are missing. Those are the ones you'll tackle first. Your choices are to cut, combine, or rework these scenes.

Strengthen your scenes. Make sure that your scenes accomplish more than one thing or have more than one payoff.

Create your editing plan. On your printed scene/chapter list, you will make a to-do list of what needs to be altered in each scene, if the scene is being removed or moved, or if scenes need to be added. Also, take note of which structural beats need to be added or rearranged.

Implement your editing plan. Once your plan is done, it's time to put the plan into action. The great thing about having the plan is you don't have to reread over and over: you can just do the edit and check it off your list (saving your objectivity).

Smooth-it-out read-through. After you've completed the editing plan, read through your novel to smooth out the scene/chapter transitions and address the 3 must-haves and world-building issues.