tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post5370169892772702564..comments2024-02-10T03:13:55.366-05:00Comments on Behind The Garden Gate: Words that Drive Your Editor CrazyThe Wild Rose Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788008988163575341noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-88594921326953880862013-08-12T16:27:53.461-04:002013-08-12T16:27:53.461-04:00I can spot all of this in someone else's but w...I can spot all of this in someone else's but when it comes to my own work, I head to Pro Writer Aid or Edit Minion to weed the bad stuff out. Thanks ladies!Calisa Rhosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07743891437445099016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-18861530585145508252013-08-04T15:25:59.436-04:002013-08-04T15:25:59.436-04:00to peek - to be partially visible
to poke- to ja...to peek - to be partially visible <br /><br />to poke- to jab, push or thrust<br />I'd say that technically a gun is more likely to peek than poke out of a pocket. <br /><br />some of these I get, because simply put they are overused clichés, ie single tear (yes happens all the time, but in lit totally a tired image).<br /><br />But others are reaching.. guns peek, both literally and figuratively.. we are writing fiction here, personification is an extremely common and accepted tool. <br /><br />and a sentence with an overuse of 'the' or 'was'.. you'll have to give me one and explain to me why if the ms is rife with them you aren't simply sending them back to school. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00450828255088013671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-3810665618768903972013-08-02T16:37:47.685-04:002013-08-02T16:37:47.685-04:00Dang it! I wish I could go back and rewrite my se...Dang it! I wish I could go back and rewrite my self published book.Nanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02020455899588340843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-44648463324379711922013-08-02T14:54:48.630-04:002013-08-02T14:54:48.630-04:00Some of this is really good advice, overuse of ...Some of this is really good advice, overuse of 'that', using stronger verbs, but some of this is just nit-picking. "I've never seen anyone spin on their heels?" Really? <br /><br />"The gun peeked over the pocket." Really? This is one that I really don't get. Authors have been assigning human attributes to inanimate objects for hundreds of years. Now all of a sudden it's this big 'no-no' when a writer says, "Her eyes followed him up the stairs." Automatically someone has to read that and say, "But I'm picturing the characters being chased up the stairs by two floating eyeballs, while the owner of the eyes remains downstairs with two empty eye sockets!!!" Yeah right. If a person can't discern what the author is saying with that type of sentence, they are probably missing some really important brain cells.<br /><br />Seriously, sometimes this 'advice' can be more detrimental than helpful. You end up contradicting the very purpose of writing---to push boundaries and be original. Instead you chastise and mock the slightest deviation as some sort of ungodly abomination. Tightening a manuscript should begin with taking a serious look at serious issues that are hampering the writing, not nitpicking the fact that one tear rolled down the cheek. Water can pool in both eyes, with one eye producing a tear before the other one.. (yeah, I've actually SEEN it). Or maybe it's the angle of the head... maybe the character blinked and in one eye, it caused the pooled moisture to leak out. Whatever the case, to act like you've NEVER seen a face with one lone tear trailing over the cheek while the other eye is just watery, is ridiculous. <br /><br />I'm sorry, but little 'pet-peevy', 'nitpicky', annoyances shouldn't be included with a serious discussion about tackling major editing issues. If you really want authors to stop driving you crazy, stop driving them crazy with trivial preferences. If a writer's piece isn't working, it probably isn't because a character spun around on their heels. They're probably using too much passive voice, too many weak verbs, too many adverbs, too many 'that's or suffering from a weak conflict, poorly defined characters, flat dialogue or any other number of REAL issues. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07029798370580220215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-8347870319632520242013-08-02T09:39:22.610-04:002013-08-02T09:39:22.610-04:00I was shocked at how much I used the word "lo...I was shocked at how much I used the word "look" in my MS. Good thing there's a word finder tool. K. L. Hallamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05672153195378644215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-73384754857620171102013-07-30T17:03:56.383-04:002013-07-30T17:03:56.383-04:00Unlike Vonnie, I'm not admitting how many time...Unlike Vonnie, I'm not admitting how many times I winced, but I will JUST offer a blanket apology to Allison and Maggie THAT I truly mean, not that I do any of those things...ever.Liz Flahertyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06794565644883272260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-5528292672940257192013-07-30T16:59:21.026-04:002013-07-30T16:59:21.026-04:00I'm adding one. Sorry if it's a repeat, bu...I'm adding one. Sorry if it's a repeat, but didn't have time to read all the comments. (Have to get to my mom at the hospital.) <br /><br />Okay: taking a verb and making a noun put of it. ( I.e., I liked her share, vs. she shared the details). <br /><br />'Nuff said.Joanna Aislinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17944795441589664035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-80063856484305027202013-07-30T15:14:51.152-04:002013-07-30T15:14:51.152-04:00The pervious one should say choose. I am using som...The pervious one should say choose. I am using someone else's computer and can't type worth a crap. Mary Marvellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12015719890476028848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-63474637812073276152013-07-30T15:12:11.251-04:002013-07-30T15:12:11.251-04:00I agree with the pet peeves because they weaken th...I agree with the pet peeves because they weaken the impact and can confuse your reader. <br /><br />Dangling participles can be avoided. Think about whether your sentence makes sense. Flying across fields, we counted houses. Or We counted houses flying across fields. Any idea which one makes no sense? Flying houses frighten me.<br /><br />Count your uses of was and change hald of them. Then change half of those remaining. <br /><br />It was raining so hard she couldn't see to drive. Meh telling.<br /><br />Rain poured/cascaded/(pick a good verb) down her windshield, obscuring her vision. (or so hard she could barely see taillights ahead of her. <br /><br />When I edit for myself or others I look for ways to strengthen impact. <br /><br />He was angry or he slammed his fist through the wall? Chose. <br /><br /> Mary Marvellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12015719890476028848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-43290528161330567742013-07-30T11:53:01.005-04:002013-07-30T11:53:01.005-04:00I know I'm guilty of some of these pet peeves,...I know I'm guilty of some of these pet peeves, but happily I can say I DO know the meaning of the word "smirk" because my husband has it down pat. <br /><br /> I've been writing nonfiction for over 20 years and I'm still working on some of these pet peeves. The word "that" is a biggie for me. Bramblemoon Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01245480846208089568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-70201178866778249982013-07-30T08:11:46.627-04:002013-07-30T08:11:46.627-04:00This is a great blog with a lot of great informati...This is a great blog with a lot of great information. I agree completely with what some of you mentioned in that you would like to learn more about what to do instead of these "pet peeves". With anything in life, everyone has an opinion. Our company is no different than anyone else. This is our policy or our "opinion" of how it should be done. Every writer needs to do what works for them but its helpful to know what won't work for us. <br /><br />As for the poster who claimed our blog was unprofessional - I'm completely amazed that someone could say that when all we've ever done is help to "grow writers". This is simply another writing lesson. Every time you learn even one new thing you grow. You don't have to look at all these pet peeves and not do any of them to be a good writer but it is helpful if you see a bad habit in yourself in one of these and you correct it.<br /><br />If you are submitting to us, knowing what an editor finds annoying certainly can help you.<br /><br />No one ever told Harlequin they were unprofessional for things they may have done. No one would post on a blog to any of the big houses that they found this or that to be distasteful. There are enough publishing options out there these days that no one should be published or try to publish with a publishing house that doesn't fit with what they want to do.<br /><br />I will also add that I completely respect different opinions and welcome comments good and bad. We learn from that as well. Rhonda Pendersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-49811543217267063402013-07-29T21:50:10.570-04:002013-07-29T21:50:10.570-04:00There are plenty on that list I have to do a searc...There are plenty on that list I have to do a search for to make sure I haven't overused them.<br /><br />Interesting post. One of my pet peeves is a character description with no action.Linda LaRoquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16672522522233696282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-16359935448435429802013-07-29T18:36:39.388-04:002013-07-29T18:36:39.388-04:00Hopefully, my post was not taken as raising issues...Hopefully, my post was not taken as raising issues. I certainly am guilty of most if not all of the peeves mentioned. I'm grateful for this post and need to be reminded of them often. My TWRP editor is doing an excellent job of keeping me controlled on such matters.Larry Hammersleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02374373137478765952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-12065110373769531012013-07-29T18:08:22.026-04:002013-07-29T18:08:22.026-04:00What a fun and informative post! Thanks for gettin...What a fun and informative post! Thanks for getting the editors around the water-cooler and collating this. Fantastic advice! :)LaVerne Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10418742073687153863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-21510005643099293622013-07-29T16:11:19.416-04:002013-07-29T16:11:19.416-04:00'Now' 'that' 'was' fun. Gu...'Now' 'that' 'was' fun. Guilty on all counts. My edit / cut list is already four columns on an A4 sheet.Maddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05828186178060722812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-63858539123961002082013-07-29T14:52:37.371-04:002013-07-29T14:52:37.371-04:00I've wiped my tears from laughing and crying a...I've wiped my tears from laughing and crying and, like Brenda, want to redo that last submission. I do have a tendency toward em dashes and probably lots of these others, as well. In fact, I started the email with "Now that." Fortunately I discovered it in time :)<br /><br />Thanks for giving us this great reminder.Barbara Bettishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16540961829243251471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-86086794626006618182013-07-29T14:35:04.626-04:002013-07-29T14:35:04.626-04:00Oh, oh. Is it too late to go back and re-read my l...Oh, oh. Is it too late to go back and re-read my latest submission? Brenda Gaylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12228860398320769217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-15421534931659476522013-07-29T14:35:03.355-04:002013-07-29T14:35:03.355-04:00Great post. I not only am a TWRP writer I teach cr...Great post. I not only am a TWRP writer I teach creative writing at the junior college level. All the points made are excellent and sadly too prevalent in aspiring writers. Thanks for sharing!kevin symmonshttp://www.ksymmons.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-4138858387476107912013-07-29T13:49:27.308-04:002013-07-29T13:49:27.308-04:00Thanks everyone for your support--as always anythi...Thanks everyone for your support--as always anything I post is intended as very tongue in cheek and to make you laugh--and think just a little.<br /><br />For those who took issue, it's unfortunate you feel that way but in no way were we talking about beginner authors. In fact, I saw some of these mistakes in my own writing and I've been at this 20+ years LOL.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-2044135688549479112013-07-29T13:28:54.568-04:002013-07-29T13:28:54.568-04:00I knew if I looked, I’d find something here import...I knew if I looked, I’d find something here important to look at, but now, that was just amazing and made a single tear run down my cheek.<br /><br />*smirk* LOL <br /><br />Sorry, couldn’t resist. <br /><br />As writers we all have our issues, no matter where we are in the learning of our craft. Great post and a helpful list, ladies. <br />Mackenzie Crownehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14495228596521457813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-82246557915009297172013-07-29T13:17:27.767-04:002013-07-29T13:17:27.767-04:00Sooooooo glad I read this, as I've got another...Sooooooo glad I read this, as I've got another pass through planned for the next ms. I'm sending Nic tomorrow. <br /><br />I read a major author's latest hardback suspense ( I got it free in Atlanta) and am both horrified and amazed at how much of this appeared in a NYT best seller's book. I almost didn't finish it, but I gutted it out. Sheesh. Eight POV shifts in five pages, for one thing. And I didn't care a whit what they wore. I got it from the ranch setting. Grrrrrrrr. Great post today.Tanya Hansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08580821680629254085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-46464437715093356042013-07-29T12:22:18.437-04:002013-07-29T12:22:18.437-04:00I have so many peeves it's sad... I cringed r...I have so many peeves it's sad... I cringed reading most of these, but I also laughed =)Kelleyhttp://www.kelleyharrell.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-51919632113629889672013-07-29T12:10:37.417-04:002013-07-29T12:10:37.417-04:00YIKES, and thanks for another great post.
Still ... YIKES, and thanks for another great post. <br /><br />Still guilty of a few, but I'm proud to say,my editor has painstakingly cured me of many of these manuscript ills. <br /><br />Thanks for your FAITH in me. <br /><br />Gini Rifkin<br /> GiniRifkinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09808573690725909979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-21697804535266091722013-07-29T12:10:28.072-04:002013-07-29T12:10:28.072-04:00Great reminders! Now I'm afraid to comment in ...Great reminders! Now I'm afraid to comment in case I use all of those mistakes. 'Single tear' makes me laugh out loud.Kim Hornsbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12227887496541563132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5926989890703867833.post-26907085455630005802013-07-29T12:09:51.715-04:002013-07-29T12:09:51.715-04:00Great post. I'm guilty of using "that&qu...Great post. I'm guilty of using "that" and I always seem to come up with one word in every book I overuse and it's a new one every book. I'm so grateful for my editor, Trish, who kindly points it out. TWRP is the greatest.Marie Tuharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08140971635915166589noreply@blogger.com