Editing Techniques PowerPoint Presentation / Vlog

Thanks for you interest in my vlog post about editing techniques!

This was a PowerPoint presentation that I did for a local writer's meeting. I decided to share it because writers have to self-edit/revise. It's just part of our jobs as writers. And in this post, I provide techniques to make reading your manuscript over and over again a bit more bearable.

I hope you find the information useful.

Enjoy!

The Ultimate Editing List

THE ULTIMATE EDITING LIST

NOTE: This post has been revised to include more information. 

The Ultimate Editing List PDF

(contains more content than this blog post)

First, I want to share my top five pet peeves as an editor. Or, more precisely, five errors I’d like more writers to be aware before submitting to an agent/editor/publisher.

1. Stay in the Same Tense

I’ve seen many stories that start in past or present tense then after a few pages or even a couple of chapters shift to another tense, without warning. The change doesn’t happen because of a time jump from past to present. Rather, the timeline is the same, but the writer makes this mistake without realizing it. Sometimes, this shifting can go on throughout the entire manuscript. This is an easy mistake. Admittedly, I had done it with my first attempts. A good beta reader can point this out, but it’s important for writers to be able to recognize this themselves, with practice.

2. Stick with One Name for a Character

In the narrative, if you refer to a character by their first name, don’t later change the name you use to their last name. Or vice versa. Establish the name you want your character to be known by in the beginning and stick with it. Dialogue is another story, however. A character’s name can change in dialogue depending on their nicknames and titles.

3. Join Complete Sentences

Make sure when you join two sentences with a comma and conjunction (and, or, but) that the sentence following the comma is complete with a subject.

Example: She couldn’t wait to go on vacation, but she had a deadline to meet first.

(This is correct, because there is a subject following the comma and the conjunction. If you remove “she” from the second half of the sentence, it would become a fragment.)

4. Pay Attention to Gerund Phrases

Gerund phrases begin with a verb that ends in “ing.” These phrases can be at the beginning of a sentence or at the end of the sentence following a comma. The problem is, some of the sentences might not make sense together.

Example: Smiling, she tilted her head.

This is correct, because you can smile and tilt your head at the same time.

Example: Running upstairs, she flopped onto her bed.

This is not correct, because you can’t run upstairs and flop onto your bed at the same time, not even if your bed happens to be in the stair way. You’d have to stop one act to do the other.

You can use the Find tool to search for “ing” to double-check these phrases. If you find an incorrect phrase, a little revision is all that’s needed to make it work.

5. Comma Splices

Comma splices are very common. I know that I have comma splices in my earliest works, but they are incorrect. A comma splice is when two independent clauses (sentences) are joined by a comma.

Example: Mom ordered pizza, Dad went to pick it up. (Comma Splice)

Example: Mom ordered pizza, and Dad went to pick it up. (Correct)

Most of the time, adding a conjunction fixes this problem. Or you can replace the comma with a semi-colon or period.

With the top five errors I come across as an editor out of the way, I now present my ultimate editing list, which I hope will help you to tighten your writing.

Redundant/Incorrect Phrases to Fix:

·        He thought to himself = He thought

·        Stand/stood up = Stand/stood

·        Sit/sat down = Sit/sat

·        Turned back = Turned

·        Turned around = Turned

·        Return back = Return

·        Rise up = Rise

·        Descended down = Descended

·        Low/soft whisper = Whisper

·        Woke/wake up = Woke/wake

·        Checked/check out = Checked/check

·        Rest up = Rest

·        Fix up = Fix

·        Reason why = Reason

·        Right here = Here

·        Meet with = Meet

·        Final outcome = Outcome

·        Added bonus = Bonus

·        Total blackout = Blackout

·        Bald-headed = Bald

·        Visibly Upset = Upset

·        Try out = Try

·        Each and every = Each

·        As many as = Up to

Here Is a List of Words to Cut Because They Clutter Sentences:

·        That

·        Just

·        Only

·        Really

·        Very

·        Both

Example: She swore that it would never happen again.

Better: She swore it would never happen again.

Example: Jamie and Matt both wanted ice cream

Better: Jamie and Matt wanted ice cream.

Note: While I try to eliminate as many of these as I can, I still use “just” and “only” every now and then.

Cut These Words to Make Clear, Assertive Statements:

·        Almost

·        Slightly

·        Seemed

·        Perhaps

·        Maybe

·        Simply

·        Somehow

·        Kind of

·        Sort of

·        A little

·        Absolutely

·        Basically

·        Actually

·        Instead

·        Now

Example: The cut hurt slightly.

Better: The cut hurt.

Example: Now stop it!

Better: Stop it!

Phrases to Eliminate to Make Your Writing More Specific:

·        There was/were

·        There is/are

·        It was

·        That had been

Example: “It was a dark and stormy night.”

Better: The night was dark and stormy.

Tell your readers exactly what “it”, “that”, and “there” refers to so your meaning is clear.

Correct Meanings/Uses:

·        Site is a place

·        Sight is vision

·        Affect (verb) means to influence someone/thing (weather conditions affect)

·        Effect (noun) is a result of something (side effects of medication)

·        Could care less = Couldn’t care less

·        Shouldn’t of = Shouldn’t have

·        Six year old girl = six-year-old girl (hyphenated when used before a noun)

·        By who = By whom (whom – him/her)

·        Only had = Had only

·        Try and = Try to

·        All of = All

·        Off of = Off

Eliminate Passive Voice:

·        Was

·        Were

·        Had/have been

·        Being

·        Will be

Passive voice is when the subject of a sentence is acted upon.

Example: Ben was attacked by a swarm of bees.

Active Voice is when the subject of a sentence is the doer of the action.

Example: A swarm of bees attacked Ben.

However, it's not totally wrong to use passive voice.

Example: My car was stolen!

This a correct sentence if your character doesn't know who stole their car.

Eliminate How Many Sentences Begin with These Words Back-to-Back:

·        He/she (third person)

·        I (first person)

·        Then

·        The

Variety is the spice of...writing.

Clichés to Rewrite or Delete:

·        Stopped in his/her tracks

·        Yell at the top of his/her lungs

·        At his/her fingertips

·        Sigh of relief

·        Blood boil

·        Glaring sun

·        Cold as ice

·        Hot as hell

·        Scared to death

·        Eyes were glazing over

·        Bared her soul

·        In the blink of an eye

·        All hell broke loose

·        Time flies

·        Deer caught in headlines

·        Pale as a ghost

When you finish your first draft, go through this list slowly to eliminate these words and phrases. And, remember, we all do them.

Digital or Print Editing?

Some time last year on She Writes, I was drawn into a discussion about digital versus print editing. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about editing and wanted to revisit the topic.

With Hurricane Crimes and 30 Seconds, I did a lot of editing on the computer. After about three rounds of editing for each story with my editor, let’s just say I didn’t think printing out 50 pages (for Hurricane Crimes) and 110 pages (for 30 Seconds) was worth the paper and ink. 

There is also the romantic writer side of me that hates the thought of striking beautiful black and white pages with red ink.

Before these rounds with my editor though, I still did most of my editing on the computer as I found it quicker to apply the edits directly to the document, and easier since I wouldn’t have to search for the errors in the document after fixing them on paper.

On the other hand, I like to print out my flash fiction because it seems as though it’s easier to find small mistakes on paper than on the computer. Even after reading Hurricane Crimes several times (Too many times to count!) I still found a few minor errors during my second round of editing with my editor that I was surprised we hadn’t caught before.

For more on editing: How to Edit a Book

Every writer is different though, and it's important to find what you are comfortable with and what works best for you.

So . . . .

QUESTION: Which do you prefer? Digital or print editing? 

Words to Cut Out of Your Writing

In my recent post, How To Edit a Book, the second step says to “Cut it Out!” and refers to clichés and passive voice, but there are words you should cut out of your manuscript too.

Here is a list of words I have accumulated over time from editors:

·         That

"That" is a word editors always warn against. “That” sneaks into a lot of sentences, but it’s not always necessary. Most of the time, you can delete “that” and the sentence will still have the same meaning but it'll tighter.

Example: She swore that it would never happen again.

Better: She swore it would never happen again.

·      Just, Only, Really

These three words clutter sentences. Once you eliminate them your sentences will be more assertive, and will sound better. With my own writing though, I do keep them in my character’s dialogue because these are words that people say all the time, I just try to limit them as much as possible. See . . . there’s that “just”! lol

Example: She just didn’t know what to do.   

Better: She didn’t know what to do.

·       Almost, Slightly, Seemed 

When something is “almost” or “slightly” it is boring! And if something or someone “seems” like whatever, you’re telling your readers there is a chance that they aren’t. But why?

Examples:

1.    Above the clouds, the sun was almost blinding. 

Better: Above the clouds, the sun was blinding.

2.    She was slightly mad. (Why not just make her mad?) 

Better: She was mad. (This is more thrilling!) 

3.    The world outside seemed quiet.                    

Better: The world outside was quiet. 

Image by Chrys Fey.

·      Perhaps, Maybe, Simply, Somehow

Natalie Goldberg, the author of Writing Down the Bones, says not to use modifiers, but to use clear, assertive statements to create more impact.

Example: She simply didn’t know what to do.

Better: She didn’t know what to do. (Do you see how much more assertive this sentence is? Taking out “simply” makes the sentence stronger.)

·       Absolutely, Basically, Actually

Once again, these three words clog sentences, and don’t provide extra meaning. If something is absolute, basic, or actual, you don’t have to add “absolutely”, “basically” or “actually”. Readers will get it; they’re smart. I will admit I use “actually” in dialogue, but I try not to overuse it.

Example: She was absolutely sure the killer had run into the woods.

Better: She was sure the killer had run into the woods. (See? This is just as absolute without “absolutely”.

·       Instead

Here is a word that I will admit, made me scratch my head when I heard writers shouldn’t use it, but when editors tell you to cut it out, you cut it out as much as possible! I’m sure I still have “instead” somewhere in my manuscripts, but there is far less than there were.

·      Now

If you are talking about the past and present it is okay to use the word “now”, but I’ve noticed in my writing that I used the word “now” often and it was unnecessary.

Example: Now stop it!

Better: Stop it!

TIP: If “now” is at the beginning of a sentence, no comma comes after it.

Avoid these phrases too:

·         sort of
·         kind of
·         a little

When describing something, readers don’t want “sort of” or “kind of”. They want to be sure! And they don’t want “a little”. They want it all.

Example: Her cut sort of hurt.

Better: Her cut hurt.

• Another word to be careful of is "very". Find out why here: Rules for Writing: Don't Use "Very" 

• Also check out: Chrys' Writing Rules: Don't Start Sentences with These Words

QUESTION: Are there any words you have learned to eliminate from your writing? Please share in case I have to cut them from my writing too! ;)

Ten Tips On How To Be A Better Writer

Throughout my writing journey, I have learned a lot about writing. And I want to share with you what has made me a better writer.

Here are my Ten Tips on How To Be a Better Writer:

1.  Be open to criticism. 

Criticism, when given in the writing industry, is often given to help you, not criticize you. If an editor or agent scribbles a note on your query letter or in the margins of your story, pay attention to what it says because the fact that they took the time to actually jot it down for you is a big deal. Not many will do that, especially on a story they don’t want. And if you passed your story onto a trusted friend to read, listen to what they have to say even if it ruffles your feathers. After you cool down, you might realize that what they said was true and very helpful.  

2.  Never be afraid to rewrite. 

We may hate it, but rewriting is how we expand and perfect our writing skills. If something doesn’t feel right about a certain scene you were writing, take a step back, picture the scene in your head, and make notes. Then rewrite that scene from the beginning using your notes and the trapped imagine in your mind. I bet it will come out better! 

 How To Rewrite A Book

3.  Don’t ever let anyone discourage you, especially yourself! 

I am my own worst biggest critic when it comes to my writing. I read books by other authors and sometimes slam it shut on the first page and say, “Jeez! I don’t write like that!” Then I get all full of anguish and start to doubt myself and my writing ability. But I am a talented writer. When I go back and reread what I have written, I often am amazed that I had written it. You have to remember that you won’t sound like other authors because you are unique and what you write is amazing in its own right. When it is someone else who is discouraging you, brush them off because you don’t need them anyway!  

Don’t Give Up!

4.  Write every day! Or at least try to write every day. 

Pick a time of day that is best for you to write, and tell yourself, “This is my writing time! Nothing is going to stop me from writing!” Make it a rule that you are off limits during your writing time. No kids, husbands, pets, phone calls, tweets, or status updates will interrupt you! Once you get into that mind frame you will have a much easier time writing. 

I usually write every day, but sometimes I just don’t feel like it, or life gets in the way. The thing with writers is that we don’t really get a break from our job. Workers can clock out at 5:00pm and go home, but writers are always on the job.  

“A writer never has a vacation. For a writer life consists of either writing or thinking about writing.” –Eugene Ionesco   

5.  Read, read, and read some more. Definitely read outside of your genre. 

Aside from writing, reading is the best way for a writer to grow and learn. Read books by authors you love. Even pick up a book from an author you say you don’t like, because their books are now movies and you’ve decided to boycott them. You may be surprised, or you may read the first page and see you were right to not like them after all. Definitely read books in your genre, but most importantly read books outside your genre. You can learn so much about writing by reading different types of books. 

If an editor or agent sees either of these things in your story, they will most likely pass on it if there is too much to fix. Save yourself time and rejection by cutting out as much as you can now! 

6.  Avoid clichés and passive voice. 

7.  Keep learning about the craft of writing. 

Nothing can make you a better writer than continuing to learn about writing. You can pick up books from libraries like “Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life” by Anne Lamott or Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. There are many books written by authors about writing and the writer’s life. Joining a writer’s group or association can also teach you a lot. Obviously, writing classes can also benefit you in honing your skills. Even when you’re published, don’t stop learning about writing!   

8.  Edit your book 3 times then step back with your hands in the air before you kill it. 

Editing is the most frustrating part of writing. You may end up thinking you’re only going to do it once, but once is never enough. You should read your book first with an editor’s eye to catch grammar mistakes, passive voice, and to fix sentences. Then read it a second time as a reader to see what someone else might experience while reading your book. This gives you the chance to fix any discrepancies in the story. If you must, go over it a third time, but no more than that! You have to know when to leave it alone and move on. I did. 

9.  Make sure you understand the rules of grammar or know someone who does. 

I may be a talented writer, but I am not so good with grammar. And that is not a crime! All you can do is learn as much about grammar as you can while you are writing, and then find someone who loves grammar to proofread your work when you finish editing it. 

10.  Write outside of your comfort zone whenever possible.

Writing outside of your comfort zone strengthens your writing and can even reveal skills that you never thought you had. I don’t just writer thrillers or stories laced with the supernatural, and the subject matters in my stories are also vastly different. I have even written in the first person. If you try your hand at many different genres, subjects, and point-of-views, you will a better writer! Guaranteed!  

SHARE: Your tips to becoming a better writer.