A Little Bit about Editing
A few things to watch for58 total reviews
Comment from Rama Rao
A fine essay which is informative.
In my last blog I had only two characters speaking to each other. It was also obvious from the dialogues who was speaking what, but one reviewer faulted me for not using speech tags. I think the speech tags add to the word count and are like excess baggage.
I hope the reviewer reads your essay and appreciates the points you mentioned. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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A fine essay which is informative.
In my last blog I had only two characters speaking to each other. It was also obvious from the dialogues who was speaking what, but one reviewer faulted me for not using speech tags. I think the speech tags add to the word count and are like excess baggage.
I hope the reviewer reads your essay and appreciates the points you mentioned. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
Comment Written 24-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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Some reviewers seem to want or need speech tags after every line of dialogue. I don't know why. Tags might be needed if the dialogue exchange between two people went on for many pages, but not many writers would do that. I'm glad you liked the essay. Thanks for the review.
Comment from Dom G Robles
I like the essay. It gave me a lot of things to think about. Every once in a while it is necessary for me to refer to them a guide. I like best the part where writer discussed on "long passages" and the unnecessary description. And also the advice to double check on grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. Some writers do rush thinking or relying on others to come up and help them check their work. The responsibility, all along on this lies on the writer.
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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I like the essay. It gave me a lot of things to think about. Every once in a while it is necessary for me to refer to them a guide. I like best the part where writer discussed on "long passages" and the unnecessary description. And also the advice to double check on grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. Some writers do rush thinking or relying on others to come up and help them check their work. The responsibility, all along on this lies on the writer.
Comment Written 24-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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I agree, Dom. Sometimes I'm discouraged when I see writers who post without at least running spellcheck. Punctuation is another matter, and requires some classes in English or a little research. Advice from other Fanstorians helps only if the reviewer takes the time to actually review. So many times, reviewers hesitate to hurt someone's feelings by offering corrections. Yes, in the end the responsibility for quality writing rests with the writer. Thanks for reviewing.
Comment from Belinda
Hi, Nor. I always read your essays on writing and editing as I want to be a better writer, especially in the English language. My stories have back stories, reflections (in italics, descriptions, and dialogues. I do hope I can use all these 'ingredients' proportionally. Thanks for sharing your expertise.
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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Hi, Nor. I always read your essays on writing and editing as I want to be a better writer, especially in the English language. My stories have back stories, reflections (in italics, descriptions, and dialogues. I do hope I can use all these 'ingredients' proportionally. Thanks for sharing your expertise.
Comment Written 24-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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Hi, Belinda. It's all about "balance," and as you said, "proportion." Just takes practice and a critical eye when looking at your own writing. Thanks, as always, for reviewing.
Comment from E.P. Thomas
Although I basically agree with everything you said, I think as long as a person knows the 'rules' and understands the reason for them, there are times when the rules can be bent out of shape a little. Like you, nothing stops me in my tracks faster than overdesription or a block of backstory narrative passed off as an internal monologue. Great job. Hope to see you continue.
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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Although I basically agree with everything you said, I think as long as a person knows the 'rules' and understands the reason for them, there are times when the rules can be bent out of shape a little. Like you, nothing stops me in my tracks faster than overdesription or a block of backstory narrative passed off as an internal monologue. Great job. Hope to see you continue.
Comment Written 24-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2011
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I agree, rules and be bent on occasion. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Comment from c_lucas
A dialogue should fit the character. You cannot have a five year old talking like a college graduate. This essay is well written with plenty of helpful comments.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
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A dialogue should fit the character. You cannot have a five year old talking like a college graduate. This essay is well written with plenty of helpful comments.
Comment Written 23-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
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Hi, Charlie. Yes, I see that too -- kids talk like professors and the writer will defend it if you say anything. Thanks for the review, my friend.
Comment from Shirley McLain
wonderful once again. I certainly do appreciate your teaching guides. They help me to focus a little more and to double check what i am doing. Thanks again.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
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wonderful once again. I certainly do appreciate your teaching guides. They help me to focus a little more and to double check what i am doing. Thanks again.
Comment Written 23-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
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I'll keep 'em coming, Texas. Thanks for reviewing, as always.
Comment from Halfree
Thank goodness for saying what needs to be said and saying it well. I read a lot of FanStory writers and comment on some. I find that some writers seem in a hurry to tell the story and forget dialog is a key element in telling the story.
Anyway, like what you wrote and how you wrote it. Good job.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
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Thank goodness for saying what needs to be said and saying it well. I read a lot of FanStory writers and comment on some. I find that some writers seem in a hurry to tell the story and forget dialog is a key element in telling the story.
Anyway, like what you wrote and how you wrote it. Good job.
Comment Written 23-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
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Thanks, Halfree. Dialogue shouldn't be hard, but some people evidently don't have a flair for language. Thanks for liking this and for your review.
Comment from CALLAHANMR
All your essays are wonderful, but IMHO this is one of your best. Dwight Swain mentioned the stimulus/response order when I first studied it under him, and called attention to the same thing you did. I also agree with what you say about backstory. One thing we as writers have to guard against is "as you know, Bob" dialogue, where the speech is fr the benefit of the reader, not the character, and the speaker in the name of backstory tells the other character what he/she already knows. i try to ring in setting as sensory details, such as the character narrowing his eyes against the light or turning up the collar of his jacket against the wind. If he is in Paris he might look out the window and see the outlIne of the Eiffel Tower against the evening sky. Better yet, if he has some emotional reaction to it. Maybe when he was there with his girlfriend. Again, well done. Bring on more like this.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
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All your essays are wonderful, but IMHO this is one of your best. Dwight Swain mentioned the stimulus/response order when I first studied it under him, and called attention to the same thing you did. I also agree with what you say about backstory. One thing we as writers have to guard against is "as you know, Bob" dialogue, where the speech is fr the benefit of the reader, not the character, and the speaker in the name of backstory tells the other character what he/she already knows. i try to ring in setting as sensory details, such as the character narrowing his eyes against the light or turning up the collar of his jacket against the wind. If he is in Paris he might look out the window and see the outlIne of the Eiffel Tower against the evening sky. Better yet, if he has some emotional reaction to it. Maybe when he was there with his girlfriend. Again, well done. Bring on more like this.
Comment Written 23-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
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I'll keep them coming, Marilyn. I agree with you about sensory detail. I work at that in a descriptive scene. For action, I don't think I ever have anyone duck before his attacker swings. I just don't understand how a writer can mess up like that -- but I see it from time to time. Thanks as always for your review.
Comment from Sallyo
There's nothing to disagree with here, and a lot to nod about. Your essay presents information clearly and unambiguously, and addresses writing as it is in the real world, not in some artificial world of nitpickity rules. The rules you do mention are there for a good reason and, better still, you TELL us the reason.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
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There's nothing to disagree with here, and a lot to nod about. Your essay presents information clearly and unambiguously, and addresses writing as it is in the real world, not in some artificial world of nitpickity rules. The rules you do mention are there for a good reason and, better still, you TELL us the reason.
Comment Written 23-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
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Gotta love that "nitpickity" word, LOL. Now how in the heck can some writers have a character duck before mentioning that someone's swinging at them? Beats me.
Comment from Minglement
I enjoyed every aspect of this insightful and helpful piece. I am going to bookmark it for future reference. I loved your explanation of detail in furniture and the same could be applied to how a character dresses. And it can be used as a tool to further describe the character and his or her taste. Great article. Thanks for sharing your expertise. Marcia
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
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I enjoyed every aspect of this insightful and helpful piece. I am going to bookmark it for future reference. I loved your explanation of detail in furniture and the same could be applied to how a character dresses. And it can be used as a tool to further describe the character and his or her taste. Great article. Thanks for sharing your expertise. Marcia
Comment Written 23-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
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Again, thanks for reviewing and for that sixer.
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You're most welcome and I value the content. Take care, Marcia
