Sep 6 2021, 7:00 am in Editing, Self Editing, Wasted Phrases. Overused Words, Weak Words
As a writer my goal is to have the reader devour every word I put on the page and keep them turning those pages. I strive to make my writing crisp and to the point. Before a manuscript goes to my editor I go through several self-editing steps. First, I search for weak works and phrases, redundant words, and overused and unnecessary words. If I’m writing in a series I refer back to my series bible and make sure characters who appeared in previous books have the same color eyes and hair etc.
Next, I read the story aloud or have a program read it back to me. I catch many errors that way.
Some editing tips you may find useful.
Weak words and phrases.
Weak words drain the power from what you write. Watch for these weak words: even, very, some, sometimes, occasionally, before, maybe, really, often, especially, somewhat, actually, few, fairly, many, most, and just.
Some editors insist you never use just. I use just when I speak and consequently insert it into my work. It’s the first word I search to remove.
Wasted phrases and vague words.
Do you best to eliminate these wasted phrases: in order to, by means of, in fact, for the purpose of. and any other combination of wordy words that can be deleted and not missed.
The more specific a word or phrase is, the more information the reader has. The more information the reader has increases their connection to your story. We want to keep readers hooked. Using vague, useless wasted words unhooks them.
A little pregnant. Somewhat hungry. Halfway angry. Say they’re hungry or angry. Start to. Start is sufficient. He almost exploded. Either he did or didn’t.
Redundant words.
Using two words when, by definition, you’ve said it twice. For example, baby puppies. Puppies are babies. The word baby is unnecessary. Examples.
Flinch back
Crouch down
Stand up
Sit down
Climb up
Kneel down
Frigid ice
Honest truth
Burning hot
Short midget
Tall giant
Protrude out
New recruit
Free gift
Bare naked
Completely naked
Burn down
Recur again
Cancel out
Basic fundamentals
Definite decision
Completely destroyed
Eliminate common overused and unnecessary words.
Search for— that, was, had, the, as if, but, when, again, against, by. It isn’t possible to eliminate all these words. But when that is used 13 times in one paragraph. Well…..some can go.
Read your sentences with and without these words aloud. Decide which you prefer.
Happy editing.
Rita
