Edit-Edit-Edit what can I say? Wow, the process is so tedious. But maybe it wouldn’t be for someone who doesn’t use words such as just in just about every sentence. I just don’t seem to be able to stop using the word.
I found out some tips in this edit process. Most of you probable already know but on the outside chance you are as computer illiterate as I, I thought I'd share my findings.
1) Watch for point of view (POV) problems. If you start a scene in one person's POV, you need to stay there. Don't head hop.
2) Knew or know
See or saw
Thought or think
Notice or noticed
These are all "telling" words. Don't tell us someone "sees" something when you can just have them see it. Don't tell us someone "feels" something. Show us what they feel. There are times "thought or think" can be used but make sure you can't show us better by just having them think it. If we are in their POV we know they are thinking. Don't tell us they notice something. Just show us they noticed it.
3) Try, trying, tried
Attempt, attempted
Again, telling words for the most part. Instead of having him try something, have him do it, etc.
4)Just - overused word you can get rid of 90% of the time
5) Was - it's a passive word but not to say don't use it. Look at the sentence and if you can see a more active way to word it, then do.
6) at him, to her, for him, etc.
These can usually be deleted altogether.
7) A word on tags. If we know who is speaking, there is no need to tell us. And if the dialogue is good, you don't need to tag with words like - he emphatically stated or he rebuked, etc. I suppose occasionally you might add some of that but by and large "said" will do it or nothing at all if we know who is talking.
If you are like most author’s you have some repetitious words. Mine are just and quickly.
What I found out that saved hours and hours of searching, if you go to the top of your page look for the Edit options, and then find. Put in the word you overuse and it runs you through your entire manuscript page after page to find that word. I was just amazed at how many times I used the word just.
Hope this helps at least one of you; otherwise I’m the only one who needs to go back and take English lit 101. Ha-Ha.
Showing posts with label book editing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book editing. Show all posts
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
FORMATTING YOUR MANUSCRIPT BEFORE SUBMISSION
Manuscripts must be pretty close to perfect to have a minimal chance for acceptance. With the publishing industry so overwhelmed by the vast number of submissions, manuscripts can be rejected for the simplest of reasons.
Formatting can be crucial; the overall appearance forms the publisher’s or agent’s first impression of both your manuscript and you, its author. Many publishers and agents, prior to reading a single word, fan through the pages to see if any particular format issues standout. Your manuscript can be rejected without even a single word being read.
Publishers and Agents read a never-ending stream of submissions, and font variations can make the eye strain difficult. Your manuscript must be easy on the eyes. A Courier New font is far easier to read than a Times Roman. Most Publishers’ or Agent’s won’t waste their time on a poorly formatted manuscript when there or so many others available. It’s easy to stuff a rejection slip into an envelope. If you send in a well formatted manuscript you increase your chances of having you manuscript actually read.
First your manuscript needs a title page that features your name, mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone number in the upper left corner, all single spaced.
Give an approximate word count in the upper left corner.
At the middle of the page, centered both vertically and horizontally, print the novel’s title in all caps, followed by “By” on the next line, and then the name under which you wish the book to be published, be it your name or which ever name you choose.
For example:(ignoring the lines I had to put in to get it spaced right)
Your name----------------your approximate word count
Your mailing address
Your e-mail address
Your phone number
---------------------------TITLE
-------------------------By your name
Second your manuscript needs what is known as a “header.” It’s the very first line appearing at the top of each page. It lists your name to the far left, the title of your book anywhere to the right of this and the page number,
such as:
Coburn/Neill------After the Mist------Page 11
It’s easy to create an automatic header in most processing software, from the menu at the top select “View,” then “Header and Footer.” Your header should start on the first page of your manuscript not on title page.
Indent each paragraph a full five spaces. This is the most widely accepted method.
Chapter titles are reserved for non-fiction only. If you are a fiction writer and have not received that best selling title yet simply number your chapters don’t give them names. Once you’re a best selling author you can get away with just about anything.
Separate your scenes and paragraphs with a space break.
Begin each chapter at the vertical middle of a clean page and fill the remainder of the page with text. When a chapter ends start a new chapter on the next clean new page.
Studies have shown that excessively long paragraphs are unappealing to the eye and can be difficult to read. Break up long paragraphs into one or more separate paragraphs.
Lastly you might want to consider having your manuscript edited by a professional. It’s your call, but I can say it improved our manuscript immensely.
I used 'Book Editing Services of Michael Garrett,' he is as he claims, honest, professional, affordable and thorough.
Formatting can be crucial; the overall appearance forms the publisher’s or agent’s first impression of both your manuscript and you, its author. Many publishers and agents, prior to reading a single word, fan through the pages to see if any particular format issues standout. Your manuscript can be rejected without even a single word being read.
Publishers and Agents read a never-ending stream of submissions, and font variations can make the eye strain difficult. Your manuscript must be easy on the eyes. A Courier New font is far easier to read than a Times Roman. Most Publishers’ or Agent’s won’t waste their time on a poorly formatted manuscript when there or so many others available. It’s easy to stuff a rejection slip into an envelope. If you send in a well formatted manuscript you increase your chances of having you manuscript actually read.
First your manuscript needs a title page that features your name, mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone number in the upper left corner, all single spaced.
Give an approximate word count in the upper left corner.
At the middle of the page, centered both vertically and horizontally, print the novel’s title in all caps, followed by “By” on the next line, and then the name under which you wish the book to be published, be it your name or which ever name you choose.
For example:(ignoring the lines I had to put in to get it spaced right)
Your name----------------your approximate word count
Your mailing address
Your e-mail address
Your phone number
---------------------------TITLE
-------------------------By your name
Second your manuscript needs what is known as a “header.” It’s the very first line appearing at the top of each page. It lists your name to the far left, the title of your book anywhere to the right of this and the page number,
such as:
Coburn/Neill------After the Mist------Page 11
It’s easy to create an automatic header in most processing software, from the menu at the top select “View,” then “Header and Footer.” Your header should start on the first page of your manuscript not on title page.
Indent each paragraph a full five spaces. This is the most widely accepted method.
Chapter titles are reserved for non-fiction only. If you are a fiction writer and have not received that best selling title yet simply number your chapters don’t give them names. Once you’re a best selling author you can get away with just about anything.
Separate your scenes and paragraphs with a space break.
Begin each chapter at the vertical middle of a clean page and fill the remainder of the page with text. When a chapter ends start a new chapter on the next clean new page.
Studies have shown that excessively long paragraphs are unappealing to the eye and can be difficult to read. Break up long paragraphs into one or more separate paragraphs.
Lastly you might want to consider having your manuscript edited by a professional. It’s your call, but I can say it improved our manuscript immensely.
I used 'Book Editing Services of Michael Garrett,' he is as he claims, honest, professional, affordable and thorough.
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