Two little words -- as, so

AS

I recently edited a story consisting of around ninety thousand words. In the one hundred fifty pages of text, the word as was used 2600 times. After the first thirty or forty instances, I decided to search and find just how many were in the manuscript. To say I was blown away would be an understatement. 

My Doubleday Dictionary cites the word to be an adverb. Adverbs are defined thusly: 'Any of a class of words used to modify the meaning of a verb, adjective, or other adverb, in regard to time, place, manner, means, cause, degree, etc.'

When writing your story, after the first draft, check your verbs. If they are strong active verbs, the need for additional adverbs will be unnecessary. Don't tack on additional bits and bobs with, "as he left the room" or "as if she didn't already know". Once or twice in your work is sufficient; 2600 times is over the top. Your reader will close the story and walk away. 

SO

Another adverb overly abused in writing. I'm finding too many authors depend on this little word to start a sentence or conversation. "So, what do you think?" While this is common everyday language, we as writers should strive for the best standard to present to the reader. "What do you think?" conveys the same message and doesn't sound -- sloppy. 

This little word, along with a couple others I'll rave on about later, has become a standard crutch for too many. After you have finished your novel, newspaper piece, or story, do a search/find to see how much you might have abused the two little adverbs here; as, so.

Mistress of the Red Ink Pens

Four letter word

What you see above is the Mistress after having removed the 100th that in a manuscript... in the first chapter. Obviously, I'm exaggerating, a bit, but some days it feels as though writers have forgotten all the rules of English.

That is, indeed, a four letter word. It's the lazy way of taking a pause while pretending to write. Even the Mistress uses the word when speaking, but my keyboard gives me an electric shock if I write it in a story.

Go through your manuscript. Search and find  EVERY that. Read the sentence with it, then read the sentence eliminating the word. Nine times out of ten, you'll realize the word is unnecessary to the thought you want to convey. Consider it a four letter word and stop using it.

Your editor will love you.

Mistress of the Red Ink Pens

A day to reflect.

Today, we had to let this beautiful baby go. Medical issues forced us to reconsider our decision to own this bike. With the Master looking at another back surgery, riding has morphed into pain not pleasure. I'll be back tomorrow to rage on another editing subject. Tonight... we mourn.

Mistress of Red Ink Pens

Questions?

Don't miss out. This is your chance to stump the Mistress. What is the one question you have been dying to ask some "know-it-all" English person?

See if you can make the Mistress hesitate.

Let the editing... begin.

Official Mistress of the Red Ink Pen Tool

Today we attack, and then/but then. The Goddess who was charged with editing my early manuscripts, and dragging me into this profession, earned her expertise as the Editor of a daily newspaper for thirty (30) years.

Her biggest peeve, and now mine, is the overuse of the phrases, and then or but then. The two words together are nothing more than stuttering. And is used to connect two ideas, just as the word then; granted then gives a bit of timing to the idea, but so does and. You can't do two things simultaneously. You may be in the big store shopping for groceries, decide to order your medication, and pick it up later. However, time will elapse between your tasks.

If you go to Place (a) and Place (b), the reader can deduce the actions were completed in one trip since you mentioned them in the same sentence or paragraph. There is no need to say, "and then" or "but then". Putting and then or but then together is nothing short of saying and and or then then; but but or then then.

The lines are bubbling along when, "and then" or "but then" pops up on the page. If you are putting the story down for the first time, continue to the end. THEN, go back and edit, edit, edit.

Example:

Joan parked the truck in the overcrowded lot. Why was it every fool, and their neighbor, felt the need to grocery shop on a Friday night? Maybe she should wait until the morning. After all, who would care except Tessa? Just the thought of her dog prompted her to brave the insanity. She grabbed the handle, jumping when the heavy door swung open, the metal slipping from her grasp. She snapped her head sideway to see who was bold enough to try and harass a uniformed deputy, in her car, still wearing her loaded service revolver?

Eyes the color of a Caribbean Sea held her attention. Joan sucked in a deep breath, then released a husky, "James."

Okay, it's not Shakespeare, but the paragraphs hold your attention more than if I would have written:

She grabbed the handle, but then the door opened, slipping from her fingers. She snapped her head sideway to see who was bold enough to try and harass a uniformed deputy, in her car, still wearing her loaded service revolver?

Eyes the color of a Caribbean Sea held her attention. Joan sucked in a deep breath, and then released a husky, "James."

If you insist on taking the easy way out, I'll have you choose either and or then; but or then--just ask my authors. They hate it. You are a writer, get imaginative.

I have weapons of Red Ink Destruction, and I'm not afraid to use them.

Mistress of the Red Ink Pens

Short and sweet

You've received a contract, and the time has come to begin the editing. Have you been 100% honest with your new publisher, and especially your editor, about your writing and publishing history? I hope so because once I've been assigned a new author, the first step I do is to run a name search on the internet; for the writer's legal name and pen name.

When I locate the author's name, website, or Facebook page, I read about them. It's amazing what people will say on Facebook that they wouldn't swear to in a court of law. If you've tried to play off you haven't been published before, but have a year's worth of blogs on a site or in the public domain, you just lied.

Save yourself the embarrassment and back-pedaling; make your editor aware you've experience writing [and self-editing] on a blog or in a newsletter at work. This gives me knowledge about your ability to take suggestions and sets the tone for a better working relationship. As an editor, I DO have the ability to say no to an assignment.

Mistress of the Red Ink Pen

Can you put that in the form of a question, please?

I think it only fair to put you to work, too. So... Fridays will be question days. If you have a question you are dying to ask, do so. Otherwise, I'll put up a picture featuring red that strikes my fancy.

Mistress of the Red Ink Pens

Oh, ye of little Knowledge.

Yes, the saying is -- borrowed. Literary license; my story, and I'm sticking to it. The image is free clip art, because I'm... as my Scottish ancestors would say... thrifty. Since we have belabored the obvious, let's get started. We have a lot of work to do.

Here you are, completed manuscript in hand, wondering about the next step. You are afforded several options; however, is your masterpiece ready for the next step? Writing this novel has taken several months, possibly, years to finally arrive at your destination. What could you possibly need to do?

The list is endless.

Take a serious look at the manuscript you have in hand; you've just finished the work. I would suggest placing it in a drawer, and walking away for a week, maybe even, a month. After that time, take your manuscript from its place of rest, and read the story from Chapter One, page one, with rested eyes. If you are unable to see anything but perfection, then ask a trusted friend to read it. Make sure this person will not have a problem making a brutal critique about your writing. Having someone fluff your ego at this stage, isn't wise. You need an honest, truthful assessment, as it is; warts and all.

Would you print the story, right now, just the way it is written? Would you be proud of the product, all the grammar and punctuation?

Even the famous 'gray' author stated she felt her story was released too soon. She wanted to do more editing before publication. When you sign a contract with the majority of publishing houses, you release control over most of your work. You are just the messenger--who can write, sort of.

If you and your 'reader' aren't 100% comfortable with the work, it's time for you to become the Mistress of Red Ink Pens. Edit your work, then do it again. Two times of clean editing before submitting to a publisher is a good number to use. Having your editor remark they have to search for errors in your work versus a manuscript resembling elementary school writing, will generate a willing partner in the process of getting your work to the public versus a roadblock at every turn.

Writers who, not only entertain but send near-perfect manuscripts, usually have editors arm wrestling to edit their work. They build a vocal cheering squad, too. Yes, I'll get a pittance of royalty when the book is released, but considering the readers I'll try to send the author's direction, I believe the arrangement evens out.

Grit your teeth and pay your dues by editing before sending. Don't make me use my Red Ink Pen...


Mistress of the Red Ink Pen

FYI-this blog took about thirty minutes to write. It took an hour and a half to edit, and I'm sure I missed something. Our chosen passion is not easy, contrary to what most people think.

Covens of editors

I, Mistress of the Red Ink Pens, aka C. L. Kraemer, do hereby state this blog is for 'entertainment' and possible 'education' purposes only. The information I offer has been learned through my experience and guidance from editors of my writing. I offer this to you, 'as is'.

This last weekend, I met with a couple other editors to discuss the current issues we face.

Just a note: we met through a professional writing organization as we, too, are novelists.

I'd let them know prior to our meeting time about this blog, and my intention to share with everyone the trials, tribulations, and hair-pulling involved in preparing a manuscript for publication. Their response was--overwhelming--to say the least. We normally meet and discuss where we are with our current novels, what new marketing ideas we will be trying, and book cover ideas. We figure our meetings will last two hours. 

Some meetings center on editing, and the challenges presented to our graphic artist/editor/author members. When I started listing the topics about which I'll be writing, somewhere along the line, the floodgates opened, and I sat furiously taking notes for new topics. Three hours later, we parted ways.

I'm going to touch on grammar, punctuation, research, and so much more.

Right now, I'm taking the 4th off to thank every military person I know for my ability to complain on this blog, and any other place I choose. Billy Ray Cyrus has a song titled, "Some Gave All, All Gave Some." It touches me every time I hear it. Thank a veteran for your ability to read whatever you like. Then assemble your armor, because when I return, I'll be lunging and parrying manuscripts until the floor runs red with ink.

Happy 4th of July, America.

Mistress of the Red Ink Pens

Boy, are you in trouble!

Today, I had a meeting with several other editing cohorts. This meeting of great minds was to pool  thoughts about what sets our teeth on edge, and tempts us to pull great handfuls of hair from our heads. While no alcohol was consumed, we did resist the urge to run screaming from our meeting, and attack all we saw with our exploding red pens.

I'm sure when we've taken the proper dosages of medication, we'll be fine. But don't bet on it...

Mistress of the Red Ink Pens