I just started the beta process for my novel (historical fiction), and I got back a helpful edit from a respected and talented writer friend.
But I'm confused about one thing. She repeatedly noted that I had too many split infinitives. She said editors really hate that and would chuck out my manuscript if I had too many. But I don't think these are split infinitives. I googled, but I can't figure out what she means - maybe dangling modifiers ... or inverted sentences, which aren't necessarily wrong but might be unpopular with editors?
My beta reader says it's especially bad to have a sentence like this at the beginning if a chapter or paragraph, but then I often write them this way to aid transitions. And apparently I'm addicted because I have SEVERAL in my first four chapters. So what do you think? What's going on with my sentences?
"With trembling fingers, I pinned my apron to the bodice of my gray work dress."
"While I was laid low with the fever, Mrs. Gardner was the one who tended me."
"In her pretty flowered dress, Mrs. Gardner’s daughter looked like she fit in this place better than I did."
"At night, the ward was pitch black."
"At the window, I was careful to stand with my shoulder against the frame, so I would be hidden from view."
"From the shadows, I could see down a moonlit street, lined with small brick shops."
Thank you!
But I'm confused about one thing. She repeatedly noted that I had too many split infinitives. She said editors really hate that and would chuck out my manuscript if I had too many. But I don't think these are split infinitives. I googled, but I can't figure out what she means - maybe dangling modifiers ... or inverted sentences, which aren't necessarily wrong but might be unpopular with editors?
My beta reader says it's especially bad to have a sentence like this at the beginning if a chapter or paragraph, but then I often write them this way to aid transitions. And apparently I'm addicted because I have SEVERAL in my first four chapters. So what do you think? What's going on with my sentences?
"With trembling fingers, I pinned my apron to the bodice of my gray work dress."
"While I was laid low with the fever, Mrs. Gardner was the one who tended me."
"In her pretty flowered dress, Mrs. Gardner’s daughter looked like she fit in this place better than I did."
"At night, the ward was pitch black."
"At the window, I was careful to stand with my shoulder against the frame, so I would be hidden from view."
"From the shadows, I could see down a moonlit street, lined with small brick shops."
Thank you!