We all make mistakes. Just this weekend, when Virginia Lawrence and I were proofing SPAWNews, she found where I had inadvertently used it’s in place of its. Yes, even when we know better, our fingers will sometimes slip or our minds will experience a glitch. This is why those extra sets of eyes are so important. I recommend hiring an editor AND a proofreader for your book manuscript.
Here are some mistakes I’ve seen recently while working with clients, in emails and in the course of Internet research.
“greatings” instead of “greetings.”
“80’s” instead of “’80s.”
“past” when the author meant “passed.”
“out cast” instead of “outcast.”
“Rogers’ vase” instead of “Roger’s vase.”
“He was to fat,” instead of “He was too fat.”
Quotes versus Italics
I often see instances of dialog or quotes in Italics AND within quotation marks. Choose one or the other. Generally, it is quotation marks for dialog or expert quotes, for example, and Italics for thoughts. Quotes from other works, song titles or lyrics, etc. can be noted in Italics, as well. Do NOT underline words or phrases. Generally, you will use Italics, instead.
Clichés
Publishers (and readers) like to see fresh writing—fresh phrases. So avoid using clichés such as: “Luxury he couldn’t afford.” “In a New York minute.” “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” “Left out to dry.” “Like getting blood from a turnip.”
Punctuation
You all know that it is one-space between all sentences now, right? The two-space rule we were taught when we learned to type is as passé as the typewriter is.
Also, the em dash no longer dangles between the two words it separates. To create an em dash, type the first word. Without spacing, type two dashes and then type the next word. When you hit the spacer bar after the second word, the em dash is formed.
Numbers
Age is represented in numerals𔃍 years old or he’s 35. Write out numbers under 100—twenty-five mules, seventeen doves. I had one client who took my instructions to heart. Just before his cookbook went to press, he went through and wrote out all of the numerals in each recipe. In case you are wondering—NO, you do not spell out the numbers in recipes. Use numerals.
Overuse of Words
You don’t need to say, “In the year, 1987.” “In 1987,” will suffice. Do not say, “He spoke saying…” Simply say, “He spoke.” Or “He said.” Or “According to Ben,” etc.
Avoid repeating words. How would you rewrite these sentences? “The hawk appeared as it flew above his dwelling before the sun had risen above the trees.” “The burly man sat right down on the ground to the right of the dog and asked the dog why he was staring at the ground, right there.”
Watch Your Tense
It doesn’t matter if your story is written in the present, past or future; what is important is that you stay in the correct tense. Don’t write, “I see that Maggie is climbing out of bed and was going in to start washing her face.” Or this, “He was on his way to the bakery and now the truck breaks down. He will spend the next 30 minutes sitting on the freeway and wait for a tow truck.”
Singular/Plural
I think these errors are probably due to pure negligence. The writer just isn’t paying attention. Who would purposely write this? “The remnants of history is what makes the story so interesting.” Or “Woman are able to vote now.” Or “When birds fly, his wings catch the wind.”
The written word makes for a fascinating study, doesn’t it? If you recognize your manuscript above or even if you think it is pristine, before sending it to a publisher or before self-publishing, conduct your own self-edit. Then hire a good editor and maybe even a proofreader.
For help with self-editing, read Chapter Nine in my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. (2007 edition)
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
Here’s a site with tips for catching and correcting errors. Check it out.
http://www.sellingbooks.com/five-top-tips-for-catching-and-correcting-errors-in-your-business-writing
Read this article, especially if you are writing fiction.
http://www.eclectics.com/articles/selfediting.html
Contact me if you’d like a $20 manuscript evaluation. PLFry620@yahoo.com
Don’t forget to sign up for my online book proposal course starting September 15. http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookproposal.htm