Revision Tips

Hello writers!  

 

Last week’s meeting was fantastic!  It was great to see your smiling faces and to meet a couple new ones.  Welcome Michelle and Heather!  Or, I should say welcome back Heather.  Joann was able to join us.  As usual, she had valuable advice and tidbits to share.  Always a pleasure to learn from her vast experience.

 

We discussed some revision techniques.  Remember, just about everybody’s first drafts are ugly.  The goal is to get your material written and out of your head.  When you go back in later to make it pretty, here are some things to watch for:

-repeated words (remember the example of using the word “life” 25 times on one page!) – don’t use the same word more than twice in a paragraph.

-weak verbs – avoid using “was” – YUCK!  Don’t be afraid of strong, active verbs.

-pronoun problems – remember Joann’s example of “her/she” – Make sure your pronouns have a clear reference.  Don’t confuse the reader.

-change in narration – Don’t switch from 1st person (I, me, we, us) to 2nd (you) or 3rd (he, she, it, they) or vice versa.  Pick one and be consistent.

-the word “that” is usually unnecessary

-don’t overuse -ly adverbs

-avoid run-on or lengthy sentences.  Sometimes it’s better to break it up & let a short sentence provide a punch.

-misplaced modifiers – ex: The boys and their dogs who stole the car were arrested. – Obviously, the dogs didn’t steal the car, the boys did!  Make sure the modifying phrase is in the correct position.

 

I hope each member of the Christian Writers’ Group is doing well and that you are actively writing whatever God places on your heart.

 

I look forward to seeing you next month on February 18th.  We will meet in the craft room (across the hall from our regular room) for February only.  Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the seminar on March 29th.  More info to come!

 

In His service,
Jodi Whisenhunt