Now that I’ve published my first novel, To Hunt a Sub, I can say from experience that writing it and editing it took equally long periods of time (and marketing is just as involved). After finishing the final rough draft (yeah, sure) and before emailing it to an editor, I wanted it as clean possible. I searched through a wide collection of self-editing books like these:
The Novel Writer’s Toolkit by Bob Mayer
Self-editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne
The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing by Evan Marshall
…and came up with a list of fixes that I felt would not only clean up grammar and editing, but the voice and pacing that seemed to bog my story down. Here are ideas you might like:
- Use ‘was’ only twice per page. This includes ‘were’ and ‘is’.
- Limit adverbs. Search for ‘ly’ endings and get rid of as many as possible.
- Watch out for bouncing eyes–
- He dropped his eyes to the floor.
- His eyes roved the room
- Use gerunds sparingly. Search for -ing endings and eliminate as many as possible.
- Eliminate ‘very’.
- Eliminate ‘not’ and ‘n’t’–switch them to a positive. Rather than ‘he couldn’t run, he was so tired‘, say ‘he stumbled forward, his legs so tired they refused to obey’.
- Eliminate dialogue tags as often as possible. Indicate a speaker by actions. Those you keep should be simple, like said.
- Be specific. Not ‘the car’, but the red Oldsmobile convertible’.
- Eliminate but, the fact that, just, began to, started to. Rarely do these move the action forward.
- Use qualifiers sparingly. This includes a bit, little, fairly, highly, kind of, mostly, rather, really, slightly, sort of, appeared to, seemed to--you get the idea. These make you sound unsure.
- Run your manuscript through an auto-editor like Autocrit. It’ll find problems like sentence length variations and repetition of words so you can fix them.
- Run your manuscript through a grammar checker like Grammarly or Hemingway.
- Don’t have too many prepositional phrases in a sentence. There’s no set rule, but if you get lost before the sentence ends, you have too many.
- Secure each chapter in place and time. A quick reminder of where characters are and whether it’s in the present or past is good enough.
- Don’t repeat yourself. It’s tempting to retell events when a character is talking to someone who didn’t live through the last few chapters, but summarize instead–briefly. Your audience already knows this material.
- Verify that time tracks correctly in your novel. Make sure the day is correct and that characters have enough time to get from here to there in the timeline.
- Verify that your characters are wearing the correct clothing and have the right reactions for their position in the timeline. For example, if they were in a car accident, when they appear again in the novel, make sure they act accordingly.
- Describe with all senses. Add what your character smelled or heard along with what s/he saw.
- Don’t tell what you’re showing. Use one or the other, preferably showing.
A great way to find these mis-writings is with Ctrl+F, the universal Find shortkey. It will highlight all instances of whatever you’re searching on the page.
What these don’t address is character development, plotting, or living scenes so you’ll still have to deal with those prior to sending it to your editor.
What are your secrets to self-editing? I’d love to add it to this list.
More on self-editing:
11 Tips to Self-Editing Your Manuscript
How to Edit Your Novel (according to Yuvi)
20 Hints that Mark the Novice Writer
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, a columnist for TeachHUB, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, monthly contributor to Today’s Author and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. You can find her books at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning.
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Succinct, witty and invaluable!
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I reread this regularly to remind myself. Like right now–I’m editing and wordsmithing my next WIP.
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Great list. Thanks for sharing it!
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My pleasure. I refer to them every time I get to the final stages in my writing.
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I have to look for the words I leave out. I tend to think faster than I type which results in missing words.
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Very helpful, Jacqui. Thank you!
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Thanks, Cynthia. I like checklists.
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Hi Jacqui! Per your earlier permission, I scheduled this article to be featured as a guest post on http://www.ryanlanz.com on Feb 3rd. As usual, it has your credit/bio/link. Thanks!
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Thanks, Ryan. Much appreciated!
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Reblogged this on The Blog of Blogs and commented:
Editing can be bothersome but with these tips and ideas, it makes the process run smoothly.
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Thanks for the reblog!
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What do you have against gerunds?
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In quantity, they are passive. Many new writers slip into a comfortable mitigating writing style that includes far too many gerunds to allow for the energy and excitement needed in a good read.
What do you think?
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Ah, so that’s the issue. I’m not sure what to think. Maybe I’ll look for good and bad examples in my own and the writing of others. Either it doesn’t bother me or I’m reading lots of works without an excess. 🙂
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If there’s a rule about following rules (such as gerund use), it’s this: The experts seem to agree if you know the rule, you can consciously NOT follow it. It’s only if you don’t know the rule, you must abide by it.
Does that make sense? Basically it means, now that you know about gerunds, you’re free to do whatever you want!
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This is a good post, Jacqui. I have published 13 books and self-edit to the extent that I don’t use an editor, and (reviews tell me) do so successfully, though obviously I’ve improved over time and my more recent books are far better. I think you have to be able to be exceptionally picky and harsh with yourself – it’s not for everyone! As for continuity, I always have A4 sheets with the timeline on the wall above my desk. Really helps.
The best bit of advice I can give anyone re editing is the old one of putting the book away for a month then looking at it with fresh eyes. No one wants to do it, but it WORKS. And don’t rely on software. If you do, you’ll never get used to spotting areas with room for improvement yourself, and no rules are hard and fast. Sometimes ‘really’ or ‘almost’ might work in the sentence, ditto ‘she whispered’. Not often, but you won’t recognise them if you use software that picks out isolated incidents, as you edit best by reading the book as a whole. I think that the description of sights and smells needs to be limited, too. It’s classic creative writing course advice, but I’ve read too many debut novels in which the action is held up by the constant description of scenes. You can only work out where a novel needs less or more description by actually reading it, as a reader would.
All this is only my opinion, I do not profess to be an expert!
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Lots of great advice, Terry. I’m with you on all of it. I do use an auto-editor (AutoCrit), but it works a bit differently: It finds all those oddities, but shows them in context, so I can find the ones that work and what doesn’t.
I wanted to visit your site, see your books, but there’s no link? Do you mind sharing your blog info? I’d love to see what you’ve written.
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Great list of tips, Jacqui. Thanks! Timely too, as I am finishing final edits on my sequel.
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Oooh, I can’t wait!
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Reblogged this on J L Hoyt and commented:
I found a lot of good editing tips in this blog post.
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Thanks for the reblog!
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Great tips 🙂
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Thanks. Appreciated.
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Moved the link to the front of my toolbar. Good stuff here! Thanks, Jacqui.
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Thanks, Roo. It’s a good final checklist, innit.
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Reblogged this on Jess the Storyteller and commented:
I came across this post earlier today and I had to share it with you all. It’ll undoubtedly be of use to fellow writers. 😉
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Thanks for the reblog, Jessica!
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Reblogged this on KCJones.
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Thanks for the reblog!
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Thanks for writing a great blog
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<>
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Terrific post. I’ll pin it on wall behind my computer. While sipping an espresso and eating a blueberry scone, I will read it again for muscle memory. Thanks.
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Love it.
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I’ll hang on wall behind computer so I can peek every once in a while. Sipping espresso, eating a blueberry scone with my golden retriever staring at the food. Seriously, a terrific and helpful post.
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I love that image–a dog, a snack, coffee, and peace and quiet. How glorious.
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Such a great list all rolled into one Jacqui. Bookmarked!
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Thanks, Deb. It covers basics. The more complicated–we’ll save that for another day.
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Well I’ll always be back another day! 🙂
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What great tips!!! I had an editor for my freelance work who wouldn’t let me use is, are, was, or were. Which is ridiculous because it DOES have a purpose. It isn’t always a sign you’re using passive voice!!! But it did force me to come up with more powerful words to replace those words and as a result, my writing was more powerful.
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Thanks, Stephanie. Interesting she eliminated them entirely. As you say, they are useful to slow things down, destress them, transition–lots of reasons. That’s why I limit them, but not eliminate. I too have found it makes a huge difference in my writing.
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This is the mother of amazing posts. Thank you!!!
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I love hearing that, Audrey. Thanks!
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Reblogged this on lmnelsonscorner and commented:
If you’re in that editing stage and looking for some tips, this is helpful.
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Thanks for the reblog, LM!
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No problem. 😄
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Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog.
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Thanks for the reblog, Don!
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You’re welcome.
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Nice Article. Reblogged today at Newwritertoday.
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Thanks for the reblog!
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Reblogged this on Plaisted Publishing and commented:
A good list of Editing tips. Many of which I use as an author, some I will certainly be looking into as my writing develops.
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Thanks for the reblog, Claire!
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I’m ” adding “some , about, and really” to your list of words to search for and substitute descriptive alternatives.
As always, you’ve shared great tips. (Or I suppose I was “about” to say these are “some really” great tips. ” ; )
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Good additions, Barb. I’m adding them too.
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Reblogged this on Stevie Turner, Indie Author. and commented:
We learn something new every day…
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Thanks for the reblog!
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Hi Jacqui – thanks for this … I’ve kept for further reference … really useful ideas here. Cheers Hilary
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Absolutely, Hilary. I pull it out at least once for each book editing. Then I don’t forget any steps.
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Very handy tips Jacqui.
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Thanks, Ankur. This list is my bible.
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This list is marvelous, Jacqui. I stashed this post in my account at Pearltrees so I can refer to it with ease. Thank you. 😀
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Excellent. I get to a point in my editing where I go through these tips. It takes anywhere from a day to a week, but is well worth it.
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Reblogged this on mgshepard.
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Thanks for the reblog!
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I think it is something that can help people out, and myself.
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Reblogged this on Author_Iris_Chacon.
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Thanks for the reblog!
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Thanks for a cogent, practical, helpful article. 😀
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Reblogged this on Angie Dokos.
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Thanks for the reblog, Angie!
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Great suggestions.
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Thanks, Alta. It started out a much shorter list. Then I kept learning more and more about how to write. Sigh.
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Soon, you’ll be needing to edit your “how to edit tips!”
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Liked and shared on pinterest… stored in my cupboard.
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In your cupboard–now that sounds fun.
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Knock anytime I’ll be in 😂😁
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Reblogged this on Jessica Marie Baumgartner.
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Thanks for the reblog, Jessica.
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No prob
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I appreciate a good editing checklist next to my keyboard. Focusing on those line items one at a time really can clean up a manuscript before you turn it over to a professional editor.
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I use this list to chip away at mistakes. I don’t always feel creative; this is more for those tired days when I want to go on autopilot.
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Hi. “To be” verbs should be avoided. I think you reference this when you say avoid “was” “is” “were” etc. Just in case . . . Your list is “very” good. 😉
Excising jargon and academic mumbo jumbo is another big one. I recently read something on the NY TImes site that included the phrase “I advised her to instrumentalize her priorities”. This, supposedly, from someone who teaches writing.
I had to laugh.
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Ha! That is an excellent addition, Of course, it’s OK to make a point, like “doesn’t this person sound full of themselves?”
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Thanks and I agree.
Now, if only I could prevent people from turning every noun into a verb . . .
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Why this one: Watch out for bouncing eyes–
He dropped his eyes to the floor.
His eyes roved the room
? Because it sounds like they act on their own?
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yes, that’s exactly why. Can you see a set of eyes roving through a room? Odd. Rather, use ‘gaze’. Or, in a situation like, “His eyes peered through the window”, just say, “He peered through the window”.
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Not just because they sound as if they act on their own. But also because unless someone’s eyeballs actually drop out of their head and land on the floor . . .
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Well said
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Great blog post. Shared on social media.
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Thanks so much, Lizzie!
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Jacqui, this is a great list of tools to fix your story. Any story will benefit by application of these tips.
The one I’m often guilty of: getting rid of the arty-farty stuff that doesn’t contribute. You’ll remember that in one of my books, every chapter began with a poem about trees. I spent many (many) hours looking for appropriate poetry – then spent about 30 minutes removing every single one of them. It cut my story by thousands of words. Better, it allowed the story to breathe on its own. If a story’s voice is weak, a little jingle someone else wrote isn’t going to build the orchestra the book needs.
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I’m having the same struggle with my Lucy book–whether I should keep or delete those quotes I have about early man at the beginning of each chapter. I’m leaning toward ‘delete’.
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Actually, I’d forgotten about them in your book, but now that you mention them, I lean toward delete as well.
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Wow. Another fantastic list, Jacqui. You’ll find me harder at work than yesterday. Thanks. 😀 ❤
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Heehheee. I’m in the editing phase of my next novel so it inspired me.
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I don’t know how you do it all. I need a nap after reading this. Your next one?
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It won’t be out till next summer. All I can get done is one a year, and I think there’s a limit to that.
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I like the “Describe with all senses.” bit. So many authors leave out good stuff by ignore smell, sound, light, etc.
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Isn’t that the truth. I make a point of searching that out when I start editing.
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Reblogged this on Novels by Jennifer Hinsman.
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Thanks for the reblog!
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Wow! I need these! Thanks!
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Thanks, Andy. I started this years ago when I began writing and have kept adding to it. Those early items are still on the list.
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I know what you mean. I still add to list of Southern Sayings I shared with you. It seems there is always something to add. 😃
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I still get a steady stream of visitors to that post. It’s well liked.
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Great list, Jacqui. Very comprehensive!
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Thanks, Diana. It’s been growing for years!
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Great tips, Jacqui. The more I use tools like these, the tighter my writing becomes 🙂
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Me, too. I wish I could say they are part of the first draft, but I’d be lying. I have to sit with this list and search everything. Still, I’m amazed at the end how much better the story sounds.
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This is great stuff, Jacqui! Definitely a keeper post…thanks!
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Thanks, Jill. For me, too!
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These are brilliant tips, thank you! Also – this is the first time I hear about these editing tools and I love them already. Having fun tinkering around with Hemingway, haha.
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It’s a good one, as is Grammarly and Autocrit. Anything to automate the process!
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Reblogged this on Wendy Unsworth and commented:
From Jacqui Murray at Wordreams a useful and (for me 😊) Perfectly timed checklist for those of us in editing mode. Thanks for sharing Jacqui – I will be pinning this on my wall!
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Thanks for the reblog, Wendy!
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I wish I did not use ‘but’ so often .. but .. hope you had lovely thanksgiving and great time with your adult children.
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It’s one of those words that jerks you to a stop. It says, “Whatever you think you know, I’m about to change that”. But. it is useful at the right time.
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Just not too often. I looked up some synonyms for ‘but’ and will try to remember to use them instead. (Although, on the other hand, nevertheless ..) However .. laziness sets in and ‘but’ is so easy.
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Jacuqi, a BIG thank you for sharing this list – it is brilliant!! 😀😀 I’m reading through it, nodding, saying, yes, of course, so obvious but things I’ve missed. The -ing words appear far too often in my writing and love the idea of changing the negative to a positive word, also time and character verification…so much here. Printing this out and it’s going on my wall!! 😀😀(just read this through again and lots of ‘ings’!! Arghh!)
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You’ll be surprised what a difference such simple changes make in your writing. Then, you can use the unchanged grammar when you want to make the story sound more passive, less active, or some such feeling.
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