Editing

Revision Exercise

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 2 Comments

Photo courtesy of: blog.patrickrothfuss.com

I borrowed the following exercise from Darcy Pattison’s  Fiction Notes and her recent article, Pacing: Space out the Tense Moments. 

As Ms. Pattison found when having her students perform this exercise, openings of their WIP, often had little to do with the rest of the story. However, somewhere between the third and  eighth revision, they nailed it.

If you’re struggling with the opening and pacing of your current WIP, try this exercise.

Revision exercise… write eight different openings for your essay/story. Then, start writing the essay/story again from that starting point.

Happy revising and let me hear from you.

Editing Tools at Your Fingertips

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 1 Comment

 

I get the hibbie-jibbies every time I finish a work in progress, whether it’s a short story, flash fiction piece or blog post. Why? Because I’m convinced, the truth will come out and everyone will know I’m not a real writer. I mean, a real writer wouldn’t make stupid grammar mistakes, would they?

The truth is every writer makes grammar mistakes. Fortunately, successful writers can afford a proofreader and editor. Me? I rely on my fading memory and a few favorite editing tools.

Here are my top favorites:

1-  AutoCrit: Updated with fiction writers in mind, this program tops the list of  favorites editing tools. This program evaluates pacing, repetition, redundancies, dialog, and much more. It is my go-to editing program. Prices range from $5/month for  Gold membership to $12/month for professional. Check out this link for the different options available. You can, of course, give the program a free, but limited try. In my opinion, professional membership is the only way to go.

2- Grammarly: Is just what the name implies. It evaluates your writing for over 250 grammatical errors. Including punctuation, spelling, word choice (making suggestions), and detects plagiarism. This program is often used in colleges and universities for that purpose. Compatible with Word and Outlook, is is less friendly with a Mac product. Cost ranges from $29.95/month to $139.95 annually.

3- EditMinion: Simple to use, this free robotic copy editor pinpoints areas of weakness in seconds. The program highlights Adverbs, Weak Words, Said Passive Voice, Prepositions, Homonyms, and Clichés. A favorite of mine, its a fun way to tighten your prose.

4- ProWritingAid: Is a free online editing tool, similar to Grammarly‘s program. It checks for grammar, overused words, repetition, spelling, consistency, Clichés, and redundancies. It works with Word and Google Docs. I admit I haven’t used this tool as much but have heard favorable reviews. Cost for Premium program is $35/year; $55/2 years,$70/ 3 years, or $120/ Lifetime.

silverbirchpress.wordpress.com

 

In addition, to these editing tools, I have a quick find folder on my desktop with the following sites:

Grammar Girl: Quick and Dirty Tricks

Words Writers Should Delete/Word Sharpeners

The Chicago Manual of Style Online

Elements of Style

Guide to Grammar and Writing

 

Grammar Revolution Anyone?

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 2 Comments

I was surprised recently to learn grammar was no longer being taught in our school systems. As writer’s we know the importance of grammar. A great story poorly written will end up on the slush pile, unpublished every time. In 2012,  Progress in International Reading Literacy (PIRLS) released its findings. US students once again lagged behind other countries in reading. Our country spends more on each student than any other country. Yet, for some reason, the basics are not getting through.

I have my own theories as to why our children lag behind in reading, have poor grammar and communication skills; there are many reasons, but I believe one in particular plays a huge role – technology and more specifically texting. As convenient as texting makes our lives, it robs us the chance to genuinely communicate. Acronyms replace words, and 140 characters replace intimate face-to-face conversations. No wonder the next generation is lagging behind, losing the ability to communicate or understand basic language skills. For that, we have done them a disservice.

As a writer and a grand mother having heard the latest dismal education statistics of US students, I thought  I’d pass a great project on to you. It’s the least I can do. We have a responsibility to help re-educate our children and grandchildren. They are the future.  

David & Elizabeth O’Brien of Grammar Revolution are taking the issue head on with their Kickstarter Grammar Revolution Project.

 

 In addition, you may want to check out their website Diagram It, where they offer Puzzlers like the one below.  It’s a great site to share with your children or grandchildren. So drop me a line and tell me. Do you agree with David  & Elizabeth? Do we need Grammar Revolution?

  This is an old slogan for Energizer batteries.

  1. It keeps going and going.
  2. It is a declarative sentence with a transitive active verb.
  3. The direct object is compound, and it is made up of two gerunds.
  4. Gerunds are verbs + -ing acting as nouns.
  5. The skeleton for your diagram looks like this.sentence diagram

Do you know the answer? Can you diagram it? When you’re finished, check your answer here. Do you want to learn more? Learn how to diagram sentences with these exercises.

Middle Of The Novel Hibbie Jibbies

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 4 Comments

Besides being quite busy this summer with family obligations and a sundry of other unexpected happenings, I have also been playing dodge ball with my novel. Okay, I’ve been procrastinating. I put my novel aside and have found every excuse in the book, not to go back to it. Now, I am trying to figure out why.

I’m almost half way through. Part of me wants to force myself to finish, and the other part of me wants to tear it apart and see where the trouble lies. Is it something about the plot? The characters? Is it the opening? Or, is it simply that I’m new at this and hitting a familiar place all newbies hit? The middle of the novel, hibbie jibbies. Maybe.

Whatever is bugging me, I will figure it out, but in the meantime, I think it best to finish what I started. I’ll make notes along the way, and I’m sure once completed I’ll have plenty of opportunity for revisions and editing.

What about you? Have you experience the middle of the novel hibbie jibbes? Please share your story of triumph in the comments.