Editing and Writing Tips
How to Send your Best Draft Fiction to a Publication
Rules can be helpful. It is not a good idea to break them until you understand why they are there in the first place.
When Posy Churchgate and I started Tantalizing Tales, we agreed that as we wanted to encourage new writers, we’d offer to proof or edit their work. It has to be said we have refused stories, but if we think a tale has promise, then we set aside time — for free — to work with the writer.
This has been a wonderful experience for both of us. We are so proud of how well some writers, who came to us early on in their Medium journey, have done. Such as J. Sharland Day, Michael Williams and Alloyce Lugoma. We also pride ourselves on the quality of writing within Tantalizing Tales in general.
On Redemption Magazine, Paul Mansfield or I try and give each story a read through, but sometimes because the stories are lengthy we rely on the writer to self-edit their text. Often we are lucky to showcase the experienced writer, such as Ripley J. Cloud — whose work comes to the publication without any input needed from us at all.
However, for some, particularly new writers, it can be difficult to send in your best draft. Often you are working on many simultaneously or think you have given it your best shot. But on the whole with most of us there is always room for improvement.
My partner used to edit all my work, but he is busy with his own projects, nowadays. Even if I ask Mrs. K or Posy to proof my final draft, I will make sure I have done various things before they even get to see it. To make their job easier.
Below, I will share some self-editing and general writing tips…
1) Self Editing
Here are a few ways you can edit your draft story before sending it to a publication.
a) Loud and Proud — Checking for flow and echoes.
- Read through the narrative out loud forwards and then...
- Read each paragraph out loud backwards, from the end, to the start.
When you do both of the above, you are checking the general flow of the story. Looking out for “Echoes” — this is when a word is repeated in close proximity. On occasions, you may want to repeat words for effect, but often you will find them littered about by accident.
b) Searching and listening.
- Search: On a computer, click Ctrl and F’— (or “Command+F” on a Mac) — A find box should appear at the bottom of the screen. Check how many occurrences you have of words such as — That — But — Just — So — When — and try and cut some out or use alternatives.
- Listen: Click on the three dots next to the word publish and then “share draft link”. Copy the draft link of your story and open it in a new tab. Use the Medium listen feature to see what it sounds like to the reader. And also see what it looks like out of edit mode too.
c) Using an aid to help you edit.
If you want help with editing, then using an online aid can make a difference. But I would say, do not let it rule your own better judgment or change your unique writing voice. Have a read of this from Marie A. Rebelle
2) Tips and Tricks
Over time, many writers develop a way of making their stories more readable.
a) Orwell’s Tips
George Orwell was an amazing writer, famed for penning Nineteen Eighty-Four, and many others. He also wrote about writing and editing. Here are some of his tips.
- Never use a long word where a short one will do.
- If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
- Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
- Never use a common metaphor, simile or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print. (Like using a cliché.)
- Never use the passive sentence where you can use the active.
When I first started writing stories, my work had a high percentage of passive sentences and I didn’t really understand why, what was making it passive, so I delved deeper.
Yoast helped me. Briefly, this is an active sentence — “Mum hugged me.”
This is its passive counterpart — “I was hugged by Mum.”
There are many reasons to avoid it. Passive writing does not impart such a direct meaning and is a more wordy way of writing too. But sometimes, if you are being reflective, the passive voice is more acceptable. If you are new to writing, I feel it will be well worth your time to learn a little about how to use the active or passive voice.
b) Don’t finish a sentence with a preposition.
Prepositions are words that tell you where or when something is, in relation to something else.
For example, “turn off the lights” reads better than, “turn the lights off”.
Personally, I think the most important thing is to write for yourself and enjoy the process. However, rules can be helpful. Afterall, you can only break the rules effectively, once you have mastered them.
And I’d like to end on an Orwell quote…
If people cannot write well, they cannot think well, and if they cannot think well, others will do their thinking for them…
George Orwell
Another from May More
And one form Posy Churchgate
