Often editing seems a lot like combing the knots out of hair. My first versions are usually tangled – not in terms of major events, but more along the line of paragraph flow within the scene / chapter. That takes a while to correct, but it’s relatively simple.
Presently going through the fifth edit of my next book – the much-dreaded back to front syntax check.
There are a TON of books out there on what to look for and how to edit your work – and I really don’t think there’s a wrong way to do it. We all have our own unique process.
Anyway, I thought it would be fun for us to post things we look for in our own writing during the edit process.
Homophones: I tend to be phonic speller when typing, and often I let MS Word save me when I’m working quickly. Where this falls apart is when the word I use has a homophone – same sound, different spelling and meaning. I stumbled recently with ‘interment’ and ‘internment’, and ‘complement’ and ‘compliment’. When in doubt, I usually check the dictionary.
Other things I look for: ‘was’ vs ‘had been’, ‘as’ vs ‘while’.
Word over usage obviously. Adverbs – I try to limit their use. Try to use action rather than dialogue tags like ‘he said’.
Backstory core dumps.
Who wants to add to the list?
Presently going through the fifth edit of my next book – the much-dreaded back to front syntax check.
There are a TON of books out there on what to look for and how to edit your work – and I really don’t think there’s a wrong way to do it. We all have our own unique process.
Anyway, I thought it would be fun for us to post things we look for in our own writing during the edit process.
Homophones: I tend to be phonic speller when typing, and often I let MS Word save me when I’m working quickly. Where this falls apart is when the word I use has a homophone – same sound, different spelling and meaning. I stumbled recently with ‘interment’ and ‘internment’, and ‘complement’ and ‘compliment’. When in doubt, I usually check the dictionary.
Other things I look for: ‘was’ vs ‘had been’, ‘as’ vs ‘while’.
Word over usage obviously. Adverbs – I try to limit their use. Try to use action rather than dialogue tags like ‘he said’.
Backstory core dumps.
Who wants to add to the list?