A Little Bit about Editing
A few things to watch for58 total reviews
Comment from Alaskastory
'A Little Bit about Editing' is very valuable to we writers who try to do reviews too. Many times I have a feeling that a portion of a manuscript could be improved, but hesitate to give advice. The guidelines you offer to at least make a friendly suggestion should prove very helpful.
Thanks a million, Nor.
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2011
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'A Little Bit about Editing' is very valuable to we writers who try to do reviews too. Many times I have a feeling that a portion of a manuscript could be improved, but hesitate to give advice. The guidelines you offer to at least make a friendly suggestion should prove very helpful.
Thanks a million, Nor.
Comment Written 25-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2011
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And thank you for that sixer! I'm glad you found it helpful.
Comment from Gert sherwood
Hi Nor,
thank you for your great tips of what to look for when one is reading and reviewing a persons story
I believe this also goes for poetry?
Gert
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2011
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Hi Nor,
thank you for your great tips of what to look for when one is reading and reviewing a persons story
I believe this also goes for poetry?
Gert
Comment Written 25-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2011
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I think poetry is a little different. The main thing, of course, is how the poem makes you feel, plus its rhyme and meter if it has them. Thanks for reviewing, Gert.
Comment from Giddy Nielsen-Sweep
I am so happy that you wrote this because it is extremely helpful. I'll print it off. I was particularly interested in "she said/he said" because I have been told "NEVER use -'he said/she said.' What you have written makes a lot of sense to me. One thing - dialogue tags. Obviously there are times when the interchange of conversation is self explanatory. However the total absence of dialogue tags sometimes has me scrambling back through the lines to try to figure out who's speaking now. At this stage I will abandon the story and go on to something else. The total lack of them causes me frustration.
Giddy
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2011
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I am so happy that you wrote this because it is extremely helpful. I'll print it off. I was particularly interested in "she said/he said" because I have been told "NEVER use -'he said/she said.' What you have written makes a lot of sense to me. One thing - dialogue tags. Obviously there are times when the interchange of conversation is self explanatory. However the total absence of dialogue tags sometimes has me scrambling back through the lines to try to figure out who's speaking now. At this stage I will abandon the story and go on to something else. The total lack of them causes me frustration.
Giddy
Comment Written 24-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 25-Jan-2011
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If you look in books of writing, it's ALWAYS use he said, or she said, or asked because the reader doesn't notice them. A good writer, Giddy, will insert a tag where needed -- either a dialogue tag or a bit of action. You should never find yorself trying to figure out who is speaking.
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Phew! Much obliged!
Giddy
Comment from IndianaIrish
You've written so many helpful and useful essays on writing, Norma. Have you thought about gathering them all together and creating a book for writers? Your method of teaching is direct, easy to read and understand, and your examples are always top notch. Just an idea.
Smiles,
Indy :>)
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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You've written so many helpful and useful essays on writing, Norma. Have you thought about gathering them all together and creating a book for writers? Your method of teaching is direct, easy to read and understand, and your examples are always top notch. Just an idea.
Smiles,
Indy :>)
Comment Written 24-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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Hi, Indy. Actually, I have. Some are in the so-called book, so aren't, but I could gather them together. Maybe one of these days. Thanks for the compliments and for the review, my friend.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Thank you for once again educating us. I am getting of getting the sequence backwards. I am trying to catch it myself, but sometimes still miss it. I have also have my characters answer a ringing table, instead of the phone, because of the way I worded it.
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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Thank you for once again educating us. I am getting of getting the sequence backwards. I am trying to catch it myself, but sometimes still miss it. I have also have my characters answer a ringing table, instead of the phone, because of the way I worded it.
Comment Written 24-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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Hello, Barbara. Answer a ringing table? That would be interesting. I don't believe I've ever gotten sequence backward, probably because I playact my characters. Since I am the character, and cannot react until I actually am hit in the head or shot. I see it in other people's writing, though. I'm glad I don't have that problem. Thanks for reviewing.
Comment from Scornwell
I think this was well written, I didn't find any mistakes. I have read some of this advice before and went right ahead and did it anyway, because I didn't realize I was doing it. But I'm getting better. I guess what I'm saying is that there is no substitute for practice.
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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I think this was well written, I didn't find any mistakes. I have read some of this advice before and went right ahead and did it anyway, because I didn't realize I was doing it. But I'm getting better. I guess what I'm saying is that there is no substitute for practice.
Comment Written 24-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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Oh yes, there's an old saying that practice makes perfect and it's true., I appreciate it
Comment from N.K. Wagner
This is a well written essay touching on a few important points that must be considered when editing. It highlights areas that considerably improve a manuscript when handled correctly. Well done.
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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This is a well written essay touching on a few important points that must be considered when editing. It highlights areas that considerably improve a manuscript when handled correctly. Well done.
Comment Written 24-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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Thanks for your review and your comments, N.K. I appreciate them.
Comment from Readywriter52
Your essay on editing is good. No matter how experienced a writer is he should can always use a refresher course on the various aspects of writing. I have to disagree with the tags on two people speaking. If the dialogue gets too long, I find an occasional tag helps me remember who's speaking. I also find some writers create dialogues that are too long and confusing. Sometimes a long dialogue should be summarized in parts. Only the most important information should be in dialogue.
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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Your essay on editing is good. No matter how experienced a writer is he should can always use a refresher course on the various aspects of writing. I have to disagree with the tags on two people speaking. If the dialogue gets too long, I find an occasional tag helps me remember who's speaking. I also find some writers create dialogues that are too long and confusing. Sometimes a long dialogue should be summarized in parts. Only the most important information should be in dialogue.
Comment Written 24-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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Hello, Ready. When I mention dialogue between two people not needing tags, I don't mean that the dialog should continue for a long time. Reader can usually follow back-and-forth just fine for a few paragraphs. From time to time, an action tag can be used, and the writer still can avoid a speech tag. Just have the character do something, like this:
"Good to see you again!" John smiled.
As long as the dialogue and the action are on the same line, the reader knows that it was John who spoke. A character can also be identified by picking something up or another action, but I do get tired of all the smiling, grinning, shrugging, and the head nodding that goes on in some people's stories. Thanks, as always, for your review.
Comment from Lynn27
Hi Nor,
You have another wonderful essay again. This one had great info and advice that writer needs to hear. I do have one question about novels. How should a scene be and how many scenes should be a chapter?
Lynn
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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Hi Nor,
You have another wonderful essay again. This one had great info and advice that writer needs to hear. I do have one question about novels. How should a scene be and how many scenes should be a chapter?
Lynn
Comment Written 24-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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Hello, Lynn. I don't know that there is a rule about how many scenes should be in a chapter. One book recommended about three scenes per chapter, but as I said, no rule. There's also no rule about chapter length. Some published writers, James Patterson for one, right one-page chapters. Others right chapters that are about 2000 or 2500 words long. Again, there's no measurement. My only recommendation would be that the first chapter open with a book that will keep the reader going, and it should end with this scene that will make him turn to chapter two. That's pretty much the key. Author Diana Gabledon has said she writes without regard to chapter numbers and inserts them later, where she thinks the chapter should be and another should begin. Sorry I couldn't be any more help about this. Press aide replies
Comment from juliaSjames
It is generous of you to share your expertise and pay us member dollars for reading and reviewing. I am learning so much on this site. You write in a pleasant, clear style that allows for easy understanding of the points you raise. Of course application of this advice depends on the individual writer and on the impression that one seeks to convey.
For example, I'm writing a fantasy piece at the moment, which will rely for its effect not on action but on conveying an ethereal atmosphere. But how does one sweep readers away into a dream world of beauty and peace without running the risk of boring the audience to tears? That's the challenge I've set myself. Any advice will be sincerely appreciated.
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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It is generous of you to share your expertise and pay us member dollars for reading and reviewing. I am learning so much on this site. You write in a pleasant, clear style that allows for easy understanding of the points you raise. Of course application of this advice depends on the individual writer and on the impression that one seeks to convey.
For example, I'm writing a fantasy piece at the moment, which will rely for its effect not on action but on conveying an ethereal atmosphere. But how does one sweep readers away into a dream world of beauty and peace without running the risk of boring the audience to tears? That's the challenge I've set myself. Any advice will be sincerely appreciated.
Comment Written 24-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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Even without action, i think you're going to need movement. Ordinarily, you need conflict in the story even if it's only a disagreement. One character needs to want something badly and someone else needs to have another idea about that. Without that feature, I don't know how you can make your story work. Teachers of writing will say that fiction is about conflict and without it there is no story. Good luck with your endeavour.
Thanks for the good wishes. And for your excellent advice...conflict, huh?
peace and blessings, julia
