The editor’s hat
When Erica wrote a blog post about training the eye to see, making sure your characters sit, and don’t sit down, I’d just gone through some pages and were just the kinds of things that jumped out at me. It was then obvious to me that my editing hat was on. I couldn’t read a sentence without removing an in or a had or a so. I questioned every yet, that and almost. I’ve been editing other writers’ work as well as my own and these words were simply flinging themselves at me, screaming “Edit me!” So I did.
I know somewhere on most writer’s and editor’s blogs and websites are lists and hints. Here’s mine. Feel free to add words or phrases in the comments and I’ll make a comprehensive list and post it.
up down in out then and began back could would had just so rather almost very suddenly that nearly perhaps even quite although yet sort of for a moment felt knew figured heard
I know there are more…like…in spite of and for instance.
Looking forward to yours!
One of my own tic words is “little,” but “that” is my pet peeve. Don’t need it about 90% of the time.
I’m a THEN girl! I always write it and then (LOL!) go back and edit it out! hahah! What a great post!
Great timing, Amy. I’m starting at the beginning and editing so I will keep this list in mind. I’m also adding more dialogue so I can do a great deal more “showing” vs. “telling.”
Yikes! I’m guilty of, like, ALL of these. LOL. Especially “suddenly” and “for a moment.” Just add all the -ly words in there and that’s me all over. So often when I’m writing, they’re the first thing that comes to mind.