Editing

Changing stuff to make others’ stuff better stuff.

07

Feb'18

Give Up These Writing Habits

Every writer has tendencies that distract from the most important thing: the story. These habits appear over and over agin …

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24

Jan'18

Fill Your Plot Holes

As much as I am in love with my current work in progress, I am aware that it has a few major problems.  This novel truly is my tester novel, where I am making every writer mistake out there from spending too long on the first draft to under-developed characters to impressively poor world building.

Now that you all want to hire me to market your novels as well as I am marketing mine, let’s continue.

I have learned so much from making these mistakes, and though it is taking me some time to work through this novel, I know it will be worth it in the end.

My most recent round of editing has focused on filling potholes.

I mean, plot holes….see what I did there?..?..?  Okay, moving on.

Since I initially wrote this story without an outline (big no-no, I would not recommend this) my plot was holier than a nun at a golf course.  There were small plot holes, large plot holes, confusing plot holes and plot holes with the potential to turn into plot twists.

After navigating the treacherous plot road of my novel and carefully filling all the holes I could spot, I’ve learned quite a few techniques that I want to pass on to you wonderful readers. ...

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04

Oct'17

Pre-Editing Checklist

You wrote a book, but you need some help getting it ready for submission or publication. Whether you’re querying agents, submitting to small presses, or self-publishing a professional edit can be the difference between “almost there” and “amazing.” But rushing into a pro edit means wasting time and money and preventing your manuscript from reaching its full potential. To make sure you get the most out of your edit, and wind up with a polished manuscript you’re proud of, follow these steps before you begin a professional edit. ...

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02

Aug'17

Let the Words Settle

When you finish your draft, it can be tempting to dive right into revisions. But that’s a bad idea. Say it with me:

Let your manuscript rest.

Giving your manuscript time to “settle” is one of the most important things you can do for the quality of the final product. But somehow, doing nothing seems to be the most difficult part of the process.

Why the Resting Stage is Crucial

Keeping in mind the reasons the resting stage is so important will help you keep your mind off your manuscript. Here’s why you absolutely cannot overvalue the resting stage. ...

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10

May'17

Watch Out for These Words [Infographic]

The English language is complex and inconsistent. Understanding commonly confused and misused words is indispensable for clear, effective writing. Impress your readers (and publishers!) with perfect prose. This infographic from Listmonde lists twelve of the most misused words in the English language. Review the list for a refresher, and keep the infographic on hand for those moments when you can’t remember whether to use “lay” or “lie.” Keep this page bookmarked for a quick answer so you can get back to writing! ...

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01

Feb'17

Easy Editing Fixes

The main purpose of line editing is to carve away the unnecessary words, leaving only the beautifully polished prose. There’s no black-and-white system for deciding which words need to go and which need to stay, but there are “red flags” you can recognize as needing a second look. If you see these during the editing process, check them out, and make sure they really need to be there. ...

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