This roundup of writing tips comes from editors – specifically editors screaming to writers to LISTEN AND OBEY!
Editors are the sheriff to our published words, the one who rounds up the misbegotten criminals and victims of our words. We owe it to them to listen to their great words of advice so we become better writers before we hand over our words to them.
Ten useful writing tips from a frustrated editor – One Salty Blonde: This is not directly from an editor but from a writer with a fantastic editor who left notes on her book that not only made it better, but made her a better writer.
5. Avoid weak adjectives and most adverbs. They weaken writing. So instead of walked quickly, write dashed or bolted. Instead of tall man, write about him towering over something.
6. Do a search of “that” when you are done with a piece. Then take out the ones that are unnecessary. It will be lots of them. “He said that he didn’t do it.” Imagine you must pay $5 for every unneeded that.
Another great article on editing is designed for blogging, but applies to writing of all types. It comes from “7 Simple Edits That Make Your Writing 100% More Powerful” by Shane Arthur of Boost Blog Traffic:
There are some bloggers who seem to have a natural gift when it comes to writing.Some bloggers seem to be naturally gifted writers.
They manage to get their ideas across clearly and economically, which means that readers can easily follow what they write.Readers devour their clear, economical prose.
Not only is there a lot of respect for what they have to say, but also the way that they say it.People respect what they say – and love how they say it.
Some beautiful lessons on editing in that.
Here are a few more good tips, advice, and instructions from editors to editors and to writers.
- What Editors Want; A Must-Read for Writers Submitting to Literary Magazines – The Review Review
- 5 editor’s secrets to help you write like a pro – Remarkable Communication
- Tips for Editing Fiction – An Editor’s Checklist – The Editor’s Blog
- 7 Self-Editing Tips for Reporters Without Copy Editors – American Journalism Review
- 21 Top Tips from Freelance Copy-Editors and Proofreaders – Society for Editors and Proofreaders
- How to tell whether you need an editor – Self-Publishing Advice for Writers
- Self-Publishing? These Editing Tips Will Ensure You Release a Quality Book – The Write Life
- Five Tips for Editors on Working With Writers – About Editing and Writing
- Tips For Writers: Editors Hate When You … – The Professional Editing Edge
- Publishing Advice: The Best and The Worst – The Review Review
- How to be an Editor – Tips from the Experts – Articulate