Daily Editing Tips
Public Group active 1 week, 1 day ago agoLearn the difference between good and bad editing, and participate in regular Q&A sessions on the dos and don’ts of good writing with editing/publishing professionals.
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Anita Philmar posted an update in the group Daily Editing Tips: 1 year, 6 months ago
Not a tip – a call for help. How do you guys spice up your dialogue to make it sparkle? -
Anita Philmar posted an update in the group Daily Editing Tips: 1 year, 8 months ago
Floating hands as they call it. Starting a sentence with His hands caressed her body. SB – He caressed his hands over her body. These type of problems can be trick to find. Any one have any suggestions?-
Personally, I prefer the sentence ”His hands caressed her body.” The other one feels too clunky, whether or not it’s grammatically correct, LOL!
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I have too agree.
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I know editors are against floating body parts, but I’m starting to see it more and more with big name authors. It jumps out at me. As an editor, I don’t mind seeing it if it’s well done.
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Anita Philmar posted an update in the group Daily Editing Tips: 1 year, 8 months ago
Have to admit I like using the search function in word. Anyone know how to make it find italized words?-
There’s some info on that here, Anita:
http://lifehacker.com/351144/find-and-replace-formatting-in-microsoft-word
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Wow, thanks Annette.
I sent what seem like hours looking for italized words.
You are a life saver…. a green one … so have fun today.
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You’re welcome
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Annette Gisby posted an update in the group Daily Editing Tips: 1 year, 8 months ago
I always get confused between lay and laid. Is it ”He laid John on the bed” or ”He lay John on the bed”? I always think lay sounds better in that sentence, but I’m not sure if it is correct.-
This is one I have to look up EVERY TIME. The rules just refuse to stay in my head. I find myself avoiding the use of those particular words.
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Yes, I end up using another word instead. I’m okay with most things, but that one just doesn’t stick
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Agree, it can confusing but I usually end up with laid.
Oh, the fun of writing.
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Anita Philmar posted an update in the group Daily Editing Tips: 1 year, 8 months ago
What’s your favorite editing tip? Mine is rereading the manuscript and checking for the flow of the words. -
Anita Philmar posted an update in the group Daily Editing Tips: 1 year, 9 months ago
Use your word processor to search for words you over use. Like ”that, so, as, etc.” My favorite ”her”-
I don’t have favourite words, but a phrase kept popping up ”if that was anything to go by”. I try and avoid altogether now!
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Funny how we fall into patterns. Some are so hard to break.
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Pepper Espinoza posted an update in the group Daily Editing Tips: 2 years ago
Daily Tip: Understand the difference between each POV and know their pros and cons. dld.bz/YFdj -
Pepper Espinoza posted an update in the group Daily Editing Tips: 2 years ago
Daily Tip: You know that old rule of thumb about commas? It’s not true. Don’t add a comma every time you take a breath or every time you pause. Commas are always necessary with coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), between items in a series (1, 2, and 3), and dialogue tags. -
Pepper Espinoza posted an update in the group Daily Editing Tips: 2 years ago
Sara, I love italics, too. Some of these tips are compiled from books and writing guides geared towards ”newbie” authors. But italics are another important tool in the toolbox, and when used correctly/sparingly are very powerful. -
Sara Bell posted an update in the group Daily Editing Tips: 2 years ago
This is a very useful group, thanks! Reading through the tips with great interest. Can’t say I agree with the idea that italics are a lazy writing tool though. They’re often part of a writer’s style and can be used to good effect. My worst habit is excessive use of ”that” It seems to appear like magic in almost everything I write, lol. - Load More
What are they talking about? What I tell my writers is to watch for ”white space”? White space is dialogue that gives the reader nothing to visualize. There should be body language, facial expression, gestures, action, ect. Where are the people sitting, standing? What are they doing while they talk? All of this adds to dialogue and gives it impact.
Thanks, appreciate the help.