Editing


A Snippet of My Editing Philosophy

The following are a selection of my comments to authors about their manuscripts:

These passages have life and breath because you are addressing the readers unselfconsciously and sincerely. If you adopt this “free-spirited talking to us” in the book, you’ll sell.

When I split sentences into pieces, I do so at peril, because I want to preserve your precious meaning. The more I edit the more chance I take of straying from your intention. I urge you to keep reading meticulously to be sure I have preserved your original ideas.

Watch out for “dry-bones writing.” In my experience, the following culprits should go straight to the shredder:

  1. Long sentences with meandering clauses lose us in the mix. Cut to simple statements. Entice people to read for their two- or three-second attention span. Then give them space to mull the meaning. They may even return for another nibble. Readers who take small bites are more likely to finish the meal with gusto.

  2. To-be verbs--am, is, are, was, were , etc., bounce us between boredom and pomposity. They signify equations, as if the writer were handing down the word, the only word. Stir us with exquisitely chosen action verbs. Transport us to mystery, personal involvement, and volition. Help us make intimate decisions. Direct us into a realm of relativity, opposite from the surety of is.
    -Passive voice offends most. It doesn’t ascribe responsibility to an actor: “Stuff happens” or “The milk spilled.” Unlike politicians, empower your subjects with ideas and actions: “Yes, I spilled it. Where's the mop?”

  3. New Age rhetoric and capitalization suggest wishful thinking and magic instead of science and logic. Specific vocabulary and unique metaphors charm and delight the sensibilities. Well-wrought pieces give the reader reason to trust the information. I hoist the standard for Standard American English unless you are writing dialect or fiction. I prefer that we err on the side of intellect, if err we do. Aim to simplify style and maintain mood.

To self-edit, I recommend that you read the whole text aloud for flow. The flaws will stand out and the fixes float in.