avatarMarilyn Flower

Summary

The web content provides writing and editing tips from editors, emphasizing clear headlines, the use of subheadings, straightforward language, and the importance of KISS (Keep it Simple, Sweetie) principle to engage readers effectively.

Abstract

The article titled "Writing and Editing Tips for You" offers practical advice for writers seeking to improve their articles. It stresses that a good headline is crucial—it should be concise, typically ranging between five to seven words, and clearly convey the content of the story without resorting to overly elaborate language. Subheadings are also recommended for creating visual breaks and retaining reader interest. The piece suggests that writers avoid complex language in favor of simplicity to ensure clarity and reader engagement. It references a journalistic approach using the five Ws (who, what, when, where, why) to inform headlines and reminds writers to fulfill the promises made in their headlines. The article further highlights the importance of structure in storytelling, encouraging writers to use personal anecdotes to hook readers and to outline their stories for better flow and understanding. The editors also invite writers to participate in a free writing class for further development.

Opinions

  • The editor values writers who follow guidelines and self-edit, as it streamlines the editing process and potentially leads to better compensation for writers.
  • Headlines should be straightforward and not overly literary or clever, providing a clear understanding of the article's content.
  • The use of subheadings is encouraged to create more white space, enhance visual appeal, and clue readers into the story's progression.
  • Fancy language or long-winded sentences may alienate readers, therefore, simplicity in language (KISS) is advised to maintain reader interest.
  • A concrete example from Linda Carroll's writing illustrates the effectiveness of using plain language and specific, though incomplete, sentence constructions to engage the audience.
  • A structure that includes personal story hooks and outlines contributes to a compelling and organized narrative.
  • Medium writers are offered educational resources, such as the free writing class and posts on nonfiction writing techniques, to hone their skills.
  • The article concludes by reinforcing the notion that simplicity and the fulfilment of reader expectations are key to successful storytelling, particularly for the month of February, which is themed as the love month, in which writers are encouraged to 'love on our readers' with their writing.

Writing and Editing Tips for You

Based on what we editors frequently give notes on

Photo by Irit Keynan on Unsplash

I love it when I’m editing a writer who has read our guidelines and maybe even my self-editing tips.

It makes a difference.

Specifically, it makes the editing process go faster and smoother, which means your story is clearer and more readable. That hopefully translates into, maybe not big bucks, but at least some pocket change for our writers.

And it frees up more time for us editors to write our own stories. Because we don’t get paid for editing.

It’s a labor of love.

So please honor your editors by reading the guidelines early and often as well as the self-editing tips.

That being said, I want to remind us all of a few good things.

Headlines: short, sweet, and to the point.

There’s no need to be literary or clever.

I know, I know. You’re thinking, but being literary or clever attracts more readers, does it not? That was my thought, too. So I’d make the headline cute or coy and put the real deal in the subheadline.

As Medium content editors reiterated in a session for editors this morning, put the real deal in the headline. Be cute or coy in the subhead. I kept having to make the subheading the main headline until I got the hang of this.

A good headline averages between five and seven words.

Yes, it can be longer, but, please, no paragraphs. Two lines are good, three lines are tolerable. More than three is over the top.

But above all, the headline has to tell us what the story’s about. So not just Hot Tamales. One or two-word headlines don’t say enough. But something like Making Hot Tamales with my Nana on New Year’s Day gives us a feel for the people and what they’re doing.

Remember journalism’s five Ws: who, what, when, where, and why. No, they don’t all have to be in your headline. Maybe save the why for the story itself. But just in case someone thinks a hot tamale is slang for sexy lady, you need to be crystal clear.

A headline is a promise to your reader. It says I promise to tell you about this. So don’t promise what you can’t deliver. And don’t deliver what you didn’t promise. Capiche? Capiche.

Do I really have to have subheadings?

We get this question a lot. Or at least it’s implied because so many of you don’t break up your story. Well, some of you do so with the three dots. And that’s okay. We allow that. Even though we believe the reader is better served by subheadings.

Not only do they add white space, making the reading experience easy on the eyes, they drop clues about your story. Both of these help keep the reader on your story longer. If you’ve done it right, long enough to get paid.

What makes a reader stop reading?

In some cases, fancy language.

I know, I know. Isn’t that what you got your MFA for? So you can wax languidly literary, use seductively subtle tantalizing turns of phrase, and be a master of the mysterious or magnificent metaphor?

Okay, maybe not you.

Me, then. I’m like why use a four or five-letter word when a fifteen-letter word’s waiting in the thesaurus just chomping at the proverbial bit for a chance to prance and show off?

But be honest.

When you see other writers do that, are you engrossed? Or do you gloss over the verbiage, wanting them to get to the point?

Guess what? KISS engages the reader. So give them a KISS. What’s a KISS? It’s an acronym for Keep it Simple, Sweetie.

Instead of throwing fancy words at your readers, sit down with them at a cafe table with a nice, warm cuppa and just talk. Like you would with a dear friend. Informally. Conversationally.

I know. It sounds too mundane. But let’s take a lesson from Medium writer and multi-publication owner, Linda Caroll. 37,000 followers can’t be wrong, right?

Her latest story in Middle-Pause is called, Does Aging Really Make Women Of A Certain Age Invisible?

This one article has 4.7K reads. So someone liked it.

And it wasn’t cuz she used highfalutin language, neither. If anything, she kept it uber simple. Here’s how the story opens:

I’m standing at Safeway, deciding between chicken and ribs, when a young man walks up. Trench coat. Dark hair. I move over. Not to hog the space.

Nothing pretentious. She’s not using Safeway to drop a fancy brand, but because details allow the reader to enter the experience more directly. Safeway pulls us in. It’s familiar.

What’s she shopping for? Not filet mignion. Chicken and/or ribs.

A young man walks up.

Not, The smell of Brut accosted my nostrils forcing me to turn and look at the offending intruder. Though there’s nothing wrong with that. It works in fiction and creative non-fiction. But in her story, it might detract from her point. Which was, Thanks but no thanks, Dude.

What about the deets she added? Trench coat. Dark hair.

Short, if not sweet.

But not, His broad shoulders squarely anchored his Armani camel hair trench coat, which hung open to his waist. He brushed a careless hand through his luxurious head of dark chestnut hair, letting a lock flop down seductively over his left eye.

But wait. Linda’s aren’t even complete sentences.

Nope. And they don’t have to be either. Just enough detail so we can see the guy. But not enough to go down a rabbit hole with him — which was her whole point anyway. No thanks, Buddy.

Trust me. Your readers will appreciate not having to navigate your lush language to get your drift — if you get my drift. When that’s called for, go for it. But for most of the stories here on the Pause, less is more. Shorter, tighter sentences get the job done.

Just as shorter, tighter paragraphs make for a more inviting read. Lots of white space. Subheadings to lead us through your piece like stepping stones over a roiling river.

Time doesn’t permit me to go into the topic of structure, which is another biggie. We’re constantly encouraging our writers to start their pieces with a personal story to hook readers in and keep their attention. Making an outline helps, and gives you ideas to use for your subheadings.

Our very own Cindy Heath wrote a very helpful post about that here:

Y’all come to our free writing class.

Don’t miss our first free writing class coming up on Wednesday, February 7, at 7 pm Eastern time. Cindy is leading it and her focus will be on the differences between personal essays and informative articles. There will be time for Q&A as well. She explains the details and how to sign up here:

We’re excited about this, and hoping to meet some of our new writers there. That’s why we’re doing this. FYI: You need to RSVP.

In closing, let me just say February’s the love month. So let’s love on our readers by KISSing them with our stories. XOXO

Marilyn Flower is a sacred fool who writes fiction, poetry, and blogs, inspired by the practice of SoulCollage®. Her books: Developing Characters: Fun Ways to Cast Your Fiction, Creative Blogging, Bucket Listers. Follow her Sacred Foolishness or SoulCollage® for Writers, and Stay in touch!

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