By Deborah S. Nelson, Author-Speaker-Publishing Coach

HYPERBOLE & EXAGGERATION

Hyperbole means the writing is exaggerated and vague, and usually lacks specific detail. However, there is a time and a place for hyperbole, especially in fiction. If you are trying to make a point or trying to paint a picture of a character, quoting someone, then it may be useful.

Hyperbole is not meant to be taken literally. Yet, if you are trying to make serious points, hyperbole is can backfire. For the most part, exaggerated words and phrases must go. Scan your writings for words such as very, much, literally, enormous, over, more than, too, quite, extremely, up to, all of, totally, involved, all of us, and such words that overstate the reality. In writing, often, less is more.

Writing Sample #1: Jones explained ideas too enormous to understand, and simplified problems too complex to approach.

REWRITE—Writing Sample #1: Jones explained complicated ideas and simplified complex problems.

Writing Sample #2: The rescue workers, doctors, and various assistants are all heroes because, with the help of God, they managed to save all of the people involved in that accident.

REWRITE—Writing Sample #3: Rescue workers, doctors, and their assistants deserve to be commended, due to the 25 [added detail] lives they saved in the accident.

Click below to SUBSCRIBE to PublishingSOLO to receive the entire 10 DIY EDITING TIPS for a Smoothly Written Ride!
.
SUBSCRIBE TO PUBLISHING SOLO

Have a Dream to Publish a Book—
But Lack the Time or Know-How?

Look no further. This potent and detailed DIY publishing guide grants you the time and know-how. Learn how to self-publish a book by doing it! Once you become a published author, friends, family, and peers see you in a whole new light! This unique system propels both aspiring and seasoned authors through the digital publishing process step by step. You won’t even need your completed manuscript to start!

Includes downloadable template
Free ISBN number & POD account
10 steps to print on demand publishing
Displays book parts in chronological order
Publish your book blueprint proof in a week

Those who have completed Ms. Nelson’s Courses are raving fans. See Videos Reviews & Author Library.
Hmmm … I am not quite ready—just send me the Free Self-Publishing Toolkit

FREE SELF-PUBLISHING TOOLKIT

By Deborah S. Nelson, Author-Speaker-Publishing Coach

SLANG, CLICHES & IDIOMS

In your writing, avoid the use of slang or profanity. This is another situation where live and in-person slang or profanity has its time and place. However, writing is a more formal and public venue, so in general, best behavioral practices are expected.

Some examples of slang you should avoid are: freaked me out, awesome, “like,” cool, wow, and other types of language, unless you quote someone, or this language belongs to a character in fiction.

Slang includes the use of expressions, idioms, and clichés. These might be confusing to your readers, depending on their age group, or culture. Books are often translated into different languages and the slang does not translate anyway. Keep your writing free from slang, unless you are including slang in the dialogue. Using slang with your own voice is not appropriate. Remove such words as:

Freaked me out, freaked out, pigged-out, awesome, cool, hang out, chill, chilled out, babe, dude, dawg, had a blast, dumped, ex, geek, hooked, looker, sick (as in unbelievable), epic, (unless it really is epic), ripped, (as in intoxicated or muscular), dunno (in place of “I don’t’ know), loser, rip off.

Some clichés or idioms might be:

• The best of both worlds
• Once in a blue moon
• When pigs fly
• To cost an arm and a leg
• A piece of cake
• Let the cat out of the bag
• To feel under the weather 
• See eye to eye
• To cut corners
• To add insult to injury
• To kill two birds with one stone
• At the end of the day
• To be honest
• Let’s face it
• Until the cows come home
• Avoid like the plague
• Take the bull by the horns

Click below to SUBSCRIBE to PublishingSOLO to receive the entire 10 DIY EDITING TIPS for a Smoothly Written Ride!
.
SUBSCRIBE TO PUBLISHING SOLO

Have a Dream to Publish a Book—
But Lack the Time or Know-How?

Look no further. This potent and detailed DIY publishing guide grants you the time and know-how. Learn how to self-publish a book by doing it! Once you become a published author, friends, family, and peers see you in a whole new light! This unique system propels both aspiring and seasoned authors through the digital publishing process step by step. You won’t even need your completed manuscript to start!

Includes downloadable template
Free ISBN number & POD account
10 steps to print on demand publishing
Displays book parts in chronological order
Publish your book blueprint proof in a week

Those who have completed Ms. Nelson’s Courses are raving fans. See Videos Reviews & Author Library.
Hmmm … I am not quite ready—just send me the Free Self-Publishing Toolkit

FREE SELF-PUBLISHING TOOLKIT

By Deborah S. Nelson, Author-Speaker-Publishing Coach

PASSIVE VERBS

Ugh. This is my Pet Peeve! Passive verbs are those such as: is, was, were, do, did, doing, Search your document for “do”, “did,” “doing,” and other passive verbs to replace them with active verbs, you will improve the writing by 50%.

Of course, in cases where you quote a character or source, you will let it go; but in your own writing, eliminate passive voice and passive verbs.

Examples of sentences written in the passive voice, created by the use of the word “by” and “ing” words.

Once a week, Alice cleans the house.

Once a week, the house is cleaned by Alice.

Right now, Freda is writing the letter.

Right now, the letter is being written by Freda.

Mike repaired the car.

The car was repaired by Mike.

The clerk was helping the customer when the thief came into the store.

While the clerk helped the customer, the thief came into the store.

Many tourists have visited that castle.

That castle has been visited by many tourists.

Click below to SUBSCRIBE to PublishingSOLO to receive the entire 10 DIY EDITING TIPS for a Smoothly Written Ride!
.
SUBSCRIBE TO PUBLISHING SOLO

Have a Dream to Publish a Book—
But Lack the Time or Know-How?

Look no further. This potent and detailed DIY publishing guide grants you the time and know-how. Learn how to self-publish a book by doing it! Once you become a published author, friends, family, and peers see you in a whole new light! This unique system propels both aspiring and seasoned authors through the digital publishing process step by step. You won’t even need your completed manuscript to start!

Includes downloadable template
Free ISBN number & POD account
10 steps to print on demand publishing
Displays book parts in chronological order
Publish your book blueprint proof in a week

Those who have completed Ms. Nelson’s Courses are raving fans. See Videos Reviews & Author Library.
Hmmm … I am not quite ready—just send me the Free Self-Publishing Toolkit

FREE SELF-PUBLISHING TOOLKIT

By Deborah S. Nelson, Author-Speaker-Publishing Coach

REDUNDANT WORDS

Scour your writing piece for redundant phrases. Normally, we automatically think that these words will plead our case, when in fact, they weaken the point we want to make. The words below, are just some examples of redundant phrases.

Examine these phrases, and you will realize that they are saying the same thing twice.

Absolutely certain  Actual experience/fact  Add an additional  Added bonus  Advance notice   At the present time  Basic fundamentals  Came at a time when  Close proximity  Written down  Usual custom  Unintended mistake  Unexpected surprise  Therapeutic treatment

Suddenly exploded  Still remains  Spell out in detail  Since the time when  Same identical  Revert back  Repeat again  Protest against  Postpone until later  Possibly might  Plan ahead  Major breakthrough  Invited guests  Free gift

Forever and ever  Foreign imports  For a number of days  New beginning  Final outcome  Few in number  False pretense  Enter in  End result  Direct confrontation  Difficult dilemma  Definite decision  Consensus of opinion  Collaborate together

Click below to SUBSCRIBE to PublishingSOLO to receive the entire 10 DIY EDITING TIPS for a Smoothly Written Ride!
.
SUBSCRIBE TO PUBLISHING SOLO

Have a Dream to Publish—
But the Lack Time or Know-How?

Look no further. This potent and detailed DIY publishing guide grants you the time and know-how. Learn how to self-publish a book by doing it! Once you become a published author, friends, family, and peers see you in a whole new light! This unique system propels both aspiring and seasoned authors through the digital publishing process step by step. You won’t even need your completed manuscript to start!

Includes downloadable template
Free ISBN number & POD account
10 steps to print on demand publishing
Displays book parts in chronological order
Publish your book blueprint proof in a week

Have a Dream to Publish a Book—
But Lack the Time or Know-How?

Look no further. This potent and detailed DIY publishing guide grants you the time and know-how. Learn how to self-publish a book by doing it! Once you become a published author, friends, family, and peers see you in a whole new light! This unique system propels both aspiring and seasoned authors through the digital publishing process step by step. You won’t even need your completed manuscript to start!

Includes downloadable template
Free ISBN number & POD account
10 steps to print on demand publishing
Displays book parts in chronological order
Publish your book blueprint proof in a week

Those who have completed Ms. Nelson’s Courses are raving fans. See Videos Reviews & Author Library.
Hmmm … I am not quite ready—just send me the Free Self-Publishing Toolkit

FREE SELF-PUBLISHING TOOLKIT

By Deborah S. Nelson, Author-Speaker-Publishing Coach

POSSESSIVENESS

Replace the word have, or had—and in ninety percent of the cases, your writing snap will soar. Find more descriptive, active words to replace the word “had” or “have”.

Writing Sample #1: The book had a distinctive and snappy way of keeping kept me on the edge of my seat all the way to the end of it. I stayed up all night long, so I could wait to get to the end of it.

REWRITE—Writing Sample #1: With its distinctive, snappy energy, the book kept me awake all night. The story kept me on the edge of my seat and I could not wait for the end.

Click below to SUBSCRIBE to PublishingSOLO to receive the entire 10 DIY EDITING TIPS for a Smoothly Written Ride!
.
SUBSCRIBE TO PUBLISHING SOLO

Have a Dream to Publish a Book—
But Lack the Time or Know-How?

Look no further. This potent and detailed DIY publishing guide grants you the time and know-how. Learn how to self-publish a book by doing it! Once you become a published author, friends, family, and peers see you in a whole new light! This unique system propels both aspiring and seasoned authors through the digital publishing process step by step. You won’t even need your completed manuscript to start!

Includes downloadable template
Free ISBN number & POD account
10 steps to print on demand publishing
Displays book parts in chronological order
Publish your book blueprint proof in a week

Those who have completed Ms. Nelson’s Courses are raving fans. See Videos Reviews & Author Library.
Hmmm … I am not quite ready—just send me the Free Self-Publishing Toolkit

FREE SELF-PUBLISHING TOOLKIT

By Deborah S. Nelson, Author-Speaker-Publishing Coach

PREPOSITIONS & PROPOSITIONAL PHRASES

Prepositions are often awkward, confusing, and redundant. Eliminate most of them, most of the time. Do not end a sentence with a prepositional phrase or a proposition. The word “it” is the most problematic of all.

Ask yourself the question, “Do I make myself clear what “it” is in the sentence?

Pretend you are a reader and are reading the sentence for the first time, and you will find the answer to this question. Sometimes you may find it absolutely necessary, but for 95% of the time, avoid starting a sentence with “it.” “It” is often used as a connector word and becomes a crutch. Think it through…do you really need the word “it” or can you create a more succinct way to say the same thing?

Usually, the word “it” is not helpful to create exciting, engaging writing. Look for other prepositions and prepositional phrases to delete, such as “up” “to me” “end up” “clean up” “to you” “out” “over” “by” “that were” ‘which was,” “by you,” in other words, watch for useless prepositions.

Random Sample from Internet #1:
I hate wet and rainy days.

It rained a lot in 1816… a lot—like every day; the weather in Europe was abnormally wet because it rained in Switzerland on 130 out of the 183 days from April to September. If I was Mary Shelley I might decide to write a book too. After all, it was the only thing you could do without TV or anything. She said that she “passed the summer of 1816 in the environs of Geneva…we occasionally amused ourselves with some German stories of ghosts… These tales excited in us a playful desire of imitation”  So, people were stuck inside and bored. Mary Shelley decided to write a book because it was so awful outside. I can totally see her point, you know? I guess I would write a novel if there was nothing else to do. (141 words)

REWRITE—Sample #1 using 10 DIY Editing Tips:
Wet and rainy days are no fun.

Imagine how slowly time might pass if trapped indoors for 130 days over six months. For many, that is exactly what occurred in 1816 in Geneva, Switzerland, with almost non-stop April-September rainfall. Picture this—those days, TV, phones, Internet, amusement parks, and other entertainment forms were not yet invented.

This half-year inside sentence could feel like solitary confinement.

At first, Author Mary Shelley thought so, too. However, rather than giving into boredom and insanity, she leveraged her warm, dry prison to entertain herself. The result was her first novel! (89 words)

Click below to SUBSCRIBE to PublishingSOLO to receive the entire 10 DIY EDITING TIPS for a Smoothly Written Ride!
.
SUBSCRIBE TO PUBLISHING SOLO

Have a Dream to Publish a Book—
But Lack the Time or Know-How?

Look no further. This potent and detailed DIY publishing guide grants you the time and know-how. Learn how to self-publish a book by doing it! Once you become a published author, friends, family, and peers see you in a whole new light! This unique system propels both aspiring and seasoned authors through the digital publishing process step by step. You won’t even need your completed manuscript to start!

Includes downloadable template
Free ISBN number & POD account
10 steps to print on demand publishing
Displays book parts in chronological order
Publish your book blueprint proof in a week

Those who have completed Ms. Nelson’s Courses are raving fans. See Videos Reviews & Author Library.
Hmmm … I am not quite ready—just send me the Free Self-Publishing Toolkit

FREE SELF-PUBLISHING TOOLKIT

By Deborah S. Nelson, Author-Speaker-Publishing Coach

Use active verbs over passive voice.

ACTIVE VOICE

Writing Sample #1

There is no worse way to begin a sentence than with the words, “There is” … To create engaging and intriguing writing, avoid starting sentences with “there is.” Writing riddled with “there is” and “there was” is, (yawn) just plain boring. Those who write like this will find their writing to be dull, dry, and dead; and there are few who will want to read it.

We are going to rewrite that piece in a minute. But first, I want to explain that “there is” or “there was” are written in the passive voice. Anytime you see these words, get your red pen out and slash them. Hit the delete button! Use action verbs to paint the word picture instead of passive connector words. Perhaps you do not understand why your writing lacks the excitement you want. For good writing, replace all the “there is” and “there was” with action words.

REWRITE—Writing Sample #1

I personally know a few exhausted words; and I cannot imagine a weaker way to start a sentence, than with them. These old, worn out words remind me of the dull, dry, lifeless dirt underfoot the killers at a Wild West sundown shoot-out. To write with engaging intrigue, avoid starting sentences with “there is” and “there was.” The writer who does so will surely drop dead in the shoot-out of words.

I rewrote the WRITING SAMPLE #1 above to avoid the use of the passive voice. The verb “is” is a connector word and although it is a verb, “is” is not an action verb. Find exciting action verbs to paint a picture when you write. Both sample paragraphs were written above use the same number of words. The easiest way to clean up the passive voice is to rewrite all sentences that use the words, “there is,” or “there was.” This will actually teach you to write in a much more action-packed way.

Writing Sample #2 (Random Sample from the Internet)

It had hat shelves and coat racks along both sides. There were double doors leading into the sanctuary, which was plain but neat. There was a carpeted main aisle that ran from the doors to the altar. There were neat rows of oak pews on both sides of the aisle. Secondary aisles ran along both sides of the church between the pews and the windows. On the raised platform in front, there was an altar, a lectern, and behind that were two rows of chairs for the choir. There was a fairly new piano on the left side of the platform … (101 words, pink marks problem areas)

REWRITE—Writing Sample #2

Typical of most church settings, friendly coat racks and hat shelves lined its entryway. Double doors opened to a rich red-carpeted aisle; and pointed to the sanctuary’s alter. A peaceful ambiance bordered the neat rows of oak pews situated near each side of the main aisle. Secondary aisles framed more pews near windowed walls. In front, in the center behind the alter—a raised platform holds a lectern, plus a brand new piano sitting to the left, accompanied by choir seating. (81 words)

Click below to SUBSCRIBE to PublishingSOLO to receive the entire 10 DIY EDITING TIPS for a Smoothly Written Ride!
.
SUBSCRIBE TO PUBLISHING SOLO

Have a Dream to Publish a Book—
But Lack the Time or Know-How?

Look no further. This potent and detailed DIY publishing guide grants you the time and know-how. Learn how to self-publish a book by doing it! Once you become a published author, friends, family, and peers see you in a whole new light! This unique system propels both aspiring and seasoned authors through the digital publishing process step by step. You won’t even need your completed manuscript to start!

Includes downloadable template
Free ISBN number & POD account
10 steps to print on demand publishing
Displays book parts in chronological order
Publish your book blueprint proof in a week

Those who have completed Ms. Nelson’s Courses are raving fans. See Videos Reviews & Author Library.
Hmmm … I am not quite ready—just send me the Free Self-Publishing Toolkit

FREE SELF-PUBLISHING TOOLKIT

By Deborah S. Nelson, Author-Speaker-Publishing Coach

Sign a self-publishing agreement with yourself as the publisher.

LONG SENTENCES

What is a “run-on” sentence? Google thinks more than 20 words is too long. And, in general, if sentences are longer than twelve to twenty words, I suggest doing some magic!

By Deborah S. Nelson, Author-Speaker-Publishing Coach

CLEAN SWEEP

Contractions: Delete contracted words such as don’t, won’t, can’t, it’ll, it’s, and so on. These not only look awkward “in print,” but make for a bumpy ride in the reader’s mind. The best time to use contracted words is for conversation when trying to represent how a character speaks—or directly quoting someone. Nevertheless, these words are fine when used in speaking, but when written, they scream amateur writer and must be removed at all costs.

It is easy to do a clean sweep. Do a search in your document for Apostrophe n’t and apostrophe ‘ll and apostrophe ‘ve. Then delete and replace by spelling both words completely. If you never use contractions, you are “off the hook” on this one! Sometimes it will seem awkward to not use a contraction. If that is the case, throw one in on purpose, now and then again, but do it sparingly, for effect! There now, your writing’s already 10% better.

Spaces: Remove spaces after periods. Before computers, we were all taught in school that proper writing included two blank spaces at the end of every sentence after the period. We may have even found our writing pieces marked down for that. However, since we started writing blogs, magazines, and e-books online, the standard is only one space after the period. When publishing a book for print, our standard is to remove the space, as well, since most of the information in the book will also find its way to online in the form of e-books, Kindle books, or blogs. Be consistent and remove one space after the period in sentences. The writing looks much neater both online and in print with one space after the period at the end of sentences. It is easy. Search for a period followed by two spaces. The replace it with a period followed by one space.

Exclamation Points: Limit your use of exclamation points. Exclamation points on the page visually create an unattractive look and feel; and tend to appear a bit aggressive. Limit your use of exclamation points to one per page, or one per every two pages. Besides cluttering the look of the page, too much use of exclamation points tends to diminish their effect. For the same reason, limit your use of all capitals.

Click below to SUBSCRIBE to PublishingSOLO to receive the entire 10 DIY EDITING TIPS for a Smoothly Written Ride!
.
SUBSCRIBE TO PUBLISHING SOLO

Have a Dream to Publish a Book—
But Lack the Time or Know-How?

Look no further. This potent and detailed DIY publishing guide grants you the time and know-how. Learn how to self-publish a book by doing it! Once you become a published author, friends, family, and peers see you in a whole new light! This unique system propels both aspiring and seasoned authors through the digital publishing process step by step. You won’t even need your completed manuscript to start!

Includes downloadable template
Free ISBN number & POD account
10 steps to print on demand publishing
Displays book parts in chronological order
Publish your book blueprint proof in a week

Those who have completed Ms. Nelson’s Courses are raving fans. See Videos Reviews & Author Library.
Hmmm … I am not quite ready—just send me the Free Self-Publishing Toolkit

FREE SELF-PUBLISHING TOOLKIT

Edit Your Own Work

By Deborah S. Nelson, Author-Book Coach-Speaker

Those on the road to self-publishing realize that good editing is essential to make the ride from unpublished to self-published smooth. By the time we pay for a top-notch cover design, decent interior layout, and proofreading, we might run low of gas, or, er, uh … funds. Hiring a good editor can be expensive. And most of us know that editing and writing are two different functions. We also realize that editing or proofreading is hard to do without a fresh pair of eyes. In other words, as far as editing goes (proofreading too) you need someone else to drive for a while—someone with fresh eyes, and a fresh perspective.

However, consider this. With a quick self-edit, if you are a good writer, you could step on the gas to pass to publishing without the expensive editor. And, if you are not such a skilled writer—at least once you hire an editor, this quick self-edit will save oodles of gas—I mean, editing time. The cost will be less, with the editing much improved.

So here we go with these DIY Tips for Editing to make the ride to published smoothly going. Once you know what to do, they are easy, just highlight and delete and you are good to go!

Tip #1—The ING