A Little Bit about Editing
A few things to watch for58 total reviews
Comment from Showboat
Gotta give it to ya, Sis, this was faultless. And so interesting. I agreed on everything, of course, but would like to amplify if I might.
Tags have to be sounds one makes with his/her mouth. You can say, reply, shout, curse and whisper and much I've left out. You can even hiss, but you cannot shrug, wink, wave your hand or use any of a myriad of motions as speech tags.
Another thing I really look for is smooth transitions between speakers. After a while, if the author has the voice, the dialogue can be heard as clearly as the news. Now, to me, that's the key.
Good grief, I'm sorry to go on and on. I know you'll put this book together in a great and helpful form, especially for those new to writing and then we'll get it published.
Great job,
Hugs,
Gayle
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
  |
Gotta give it to ya, Sis, this was faultless. And so interesting. I agreed on everything, of course, but would like to amplify if I might.
Tags have to be sounds one makes with his/her mouth. You can say, reply, shout, curse and whisper and much I've left out. You can even hiss, but you cannot shrug, wink, wave your hand or use any of a myriad of motions as speech tags.
Another thing I really look for is smooth transitions between speakers. After a while, if the author has the voice, the dialogue can be heard as clearly as the news. Now, to me, that's the key.
Good grief, I'm sorry to go on and on. I know you'll put this book together in a great and helpful form, especially for those new to writing and then we'll get it published.
Great job,
Hugs,
Gayle
Comment Written 23-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
-
Always glad you get your reviews, Gayle. Look how much you missed not reading me over the years, LOL!
Comment from writer c
This is a very clear, essay with specific editing points for each of us to consider in our writing. If the conflict in the story is internal conflict, does the "reflection" need to be peppered with action? Your suggestions provoke thought, and a need for review of our work to see if we meet your excellent guidelines. Thanks for posting.
Carol
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
 |
This is a very clear, essay with specific editing points for each of us to consider in our writing. If the conflict in the story is internal conflict, does the "reflection" need to be peppered with action? Your suggestions provoke thought, and a need for review of our work to see if we meet your excellent guidelines. Thanks for posting.
Carol
Comment Written 23-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
-
Internal conflict doesn't need outside references, but the thing is, it needs to come in a little at a time. Too much, and the story stops while the character thinks. According to Diana Gabaldon (Outlander) something should physically move in every scene, even if it's a leaf falling from a tree. Glad you liked it, Carol.
-
Very helpful! I will also look for your reference you cite. Since I am always trying to write better and better pieces, this was very helpful to me. Thank you!
Carol
Comment from redrider6612
Excellent essay, Norma. I recently reviewed a really good story that started off with a bang, but then stalled in the middle because the narrator decided to give us a couple hundred words of backstory. My interest flagged big time. I suggested distilling the backstory and working it in naturally so it didn't stop the story cold. Dunno if he took my advice.
As for dialogue tags, I find it irritating when every line of dialogue has "he whispered" or "she shouted". Another mistake I see is trying to use an action as a dialogue tag like this: "Get out there," he pointed at the door.
The only suggestion I have is to give an example of the 'cart before the horse' mistake. Otherwise, super job.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
|
Excellent essay, Norma. I recently reviewed a really good story that started off with a bang, but then stalled in the middle because the narrator decided to give us a couple hundred words of backstory. My interest flagged big time. I suggested distilling the backstory and working it in naturally so it didn't stop the story cold. Dunno if he took my advice.
As for dialogue tags, I find it irritating when every line of dialogue has "he whispered" or "she shouted". Another mistake I see is trying to use an action as a dialogue tag like this: "Get out there," he pointed at the door.
The only suggestion I have is to give an example of the 'cart before the horse' mistake. Otherwise, super job.
Comment Written 23-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
-
I think I've told this one before, Red, but I read a story that opened with a woman going up a flight of stairs into a creepy attic where she was to find something in a trunk. Great start, great tension... until she started to think about a family dinner and told the backstory of every character in the flashback scene... Must have been six ... before the woman continued up those stairs. Somehow, I no longer cared what was in the trunk.
Yeah, I hate action used as dialogue tags too. I wish more newbies read these things, but a few have seen and commented on this one. Thanks, as always.
Comment from valentinacardillo
As you see I am new to Fan Story , with your in site I am sure that I will do better in my writes . A few poems later with lots of typos ( such embarrassment, ) thank you as I hope to hear a review from you some time .. A lot to remember Thank you again . Valentina
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
|
As you see I am new to Fan Story , with your in site I am sure that I will do better in my writes . A few poems later with lots of typos ( such embarrassment, ) thank you as I hope to hear a review from you some time .. A lot to remember Thank you again . Valentina
Comment Written 23-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
-
Hello, Valentina. I'm not a poet, although I've written one here or there. There are a lot of poets on the site, though. My stuff is fiction or these essays, but I could catch you one of these days. Thanks for reading and liking it.
Comment from dejohnsrld (Debbie)
All o the above is very good advice. I find overuse of descriptive language to be the one I see the most often. Some description is good, but over use of desciption, especially with words we don't normally use sounds like a bad page of a thesaurus. Debbie
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
|
All o the above is very good advice. I find overuse of descriptive language to be the one I see the most often. Some description is good, but over use of desciption, especially with words we don't normally use sounds like a bad page of a thesaurus. Debbie
Comment Written 23-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
-
Hi, Debbie. Yes, some people don't describe well at all. In real life, we do not see everything about a person at once. First, we see them as they approach, and notice something, maybe their walk or the way they carry themselves. As they get closer, we notice one or two things more ... but some writers giv eus the whole enchilada at once! Thanks for reviewing.
Comment from animatqua
I picked up some direction today. A lot of what you wrote validated my own writing preferences. One of the places I need to bear in mind, though, is the unnecessary descriptions.
I'm lousy at working with setting and reviewers often ask to have more of it in my stories. I'm finding that when I keep this in mind as I write, I tend to go over board in the opposite direction.
Thanks for giving me a jolt back into a better balance.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
|
I picked up some direction today. A lot of what you wrote validated my own writing preferences. One of the places I need to bear in mind, though, is the unnecessary descriptions.
I'm lousy at working with setting and reviewers often ask to have more of it in my stories. I'm finding that when I keep this in mind as I write, I tend to go over board in the opposite direction.
Thanks for giving me a jolt back into a better balance.
Comment Written 23-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
-
Practice makes perfect, my friend. I used to be very bad at settings, and I'm still not at my best there. But once upon a time, I had one-line paragraphs. I see some people doing that on Fanstory. I appreciate your review and comments.
Comment from Charles Dale
I am glad you wrote this . Fits me and my stumbling to a T
Your work gives good advice with caution. Do I listen? No, rewrite, rewrite, rewrite!
Phew! Makes me tired just thinking about.
Well written piece.
Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
|
I am glad you wrote this . Fits me and my stumbling to a T
Your work gives good advice with caution. Do I listen? No, rewrite, rewrite, rewrite!
Phew! Makes me tired just thinking about.
Well written piece.
Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 23-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
-
Hello, Charles. Practice makes perfect, and rewriting is practice. I appreciate your comments and your review.
Comment from rama devi
Outstanding essay with superb advice and tips. You present these in an easy to follow style with smooth flow and excellent organization of thoughts as well as fine examples. I saw no nits or spags. Excellent work! You are a gifted teacher. Warmly-rd
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
|
Outstanding essay with superb advice and tips. You present these in an easy to follow style with smooth flow and excellent organization of thoughts as well as fine examples. I saw no nits or spags. Excellent work! You are a gifted teacher. Warmly-rd
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 23-Jan-2011
reply by the author on 23-Jan-2011
-
Thanks, Rama. You'll catch on to the prose thing. It's not as hard as poetry. I know, I've tried both.
-
Poetry is easier for me. Mt writing prose is like a pianist trying to play he cello. LOL
