professional book editing Archives - Page 2 of 3 - Barbara McNichol Editorial Services

Misused Pronouns: Too Many Lead to Ranting

November 18, 2016 by Barbara McNichol 2 Comments

by Barbara McNichol

Allow me to rant here.

After returning from recent visits to Colorado and Canada, I felt rejuvenated. But even among family and close friends, I still can’t take off my editor’s hat.

Which way to go? In many of our casual conversations, I bit my tongue when I heard misused pronouns such as “Him and I had lunch together” as “Me and her had a good time.”

Not wanting to take on human autocorrect duties (it leads to buzzkill, as you know), I prefer to provide examples of correct pronoun use here instead.

Correct Pronoun Examples

“I” – Subjective case (the subject of the sentence or phrase)

Lance and I (not me) are going to the conference in L.A.
My boss suggested Cindy and I (not me) help the new intern.

“Me” – Objective case (the object of the sentence or phrase)

The new director promoted me (not myself) to manager.
Our assistant invited William and me (not I) to her open house.

“Myself, her (him)/herself (himself), they/themselves ” – Reflexive case

I congratulated myself on getting the project completed early.
She helped herself to more supplies.
Darren asked himself, “Do I work late again tonight?”
They celebrated the award by themselves.

Notice these reflexive pronoun all have a related pronoun or noun preceding it in the sentence. Look for that distinction as a clue to knowing when (and when not) to use reflexive. After all, reflexive means reflecting back!

Please share your examples of misused pronouns here with the correct version, too.

Pompous Phrases Can Set an Arrogant Tone

September 22, 2016 by Barbara McNichol 5 Comments

by Barbara McNichol

#writing, #words, #ESL, #LearnEnglish Does your writing come across as arrogant? Are you using pompous phrases? Take a moment to ask these questions!

With the spoken word, we have the privilege of adding voice intonation, hand gestures, and emotion with our vocal cords. That doesn’t happen as easily in writing. You might leave readers guessing about your intended meaning and risk setting a tone that can be misconstrued.

To avoid confusion, drop the following idioms and phrases from your writing altogether. Not only will you convey your thoughts more directly, but your writing will gain clarity.

Do These Written Phrases Suggest an Arrogant Tone?

Question using the following phrases in your own writing:

Not to mention . . . (then why mention it at all?)
It goes without saying . . . (then why say it?)
If I may say so . . . (it’s your writing; of course you may say so)
I believe that . . . (it’s your writing; of course you believe it)
In my humble opinion . . . (what makes it humble, anyway?)
To tell the truth . . . (you mean you weren’t telling the truth?)
To be honest with you . . . (you weren’t being honest before?)
For the record . . . (are we in court?)
Let me be perfectly clear . . . (followed by bafflegab)
This may sound stupid but . . . (it already sounds stupid)
With all due respect . . . (prefacing a negative comment this way doesn’t change it)

Which phrases would you add to this list? Share them in Comments.

One More: “In Other Words”

Another oh-too-common phrase to question is “in other words.” Why? Because it often introduces a clarifying sentence that follows a mediocre one. Instead of adding a sentence, go back and strengthen the first sentence. Then you might not even need a follow-up clarifying one. Test this idea in your own work.

Ultimately, you strive for clear, intentional expressions of your thoughts and beliefs in everything you write. Don’t let phrases such as these get in the way!

Slow Reading – A Lost Art That Has Life-Changing Benefits

May 6, 2016 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

by Barbara McNichol

A recent Wall Street Journal article emphasizes how Slow Reading has become a lost art—and why taking time to read is vital. The author contends that getting away from electronic prompts and simply reading the old-fashioned way has led to:

reduced stress levels
improved ability to concentrate
deeper ability to think, listen, and empathize

It even cites studies saying how reading in a focused way can slow one’s memory loss. Who doesn’t want that!

Think about how what this article says might change your habits. Here’s how it starts:

Once a week, members of a Wellington, New Zealand, book club arrive at a cafe, grab a drink and shut off their cellphones. Then they sink into cozy chairs and read in silence for an hour.

The point of the club isn’t to talk about literature, but to get away from pinging electronic devices and read, uninterrupted. The group calls itself the Slow Reading Club, and it is at the forefront of a movement populated by frazzled book lovers who miss old-school reading . . .

Read Slowly to Benefit Your Brain and Cut Stress

Do you agree or disagree with this thesis? Comment here.

Polishing Your Writing? Follow These 3 Self-Editing Steps

February 5, 2016 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

By Peggy Carouthers, Guest blogger from The Write Life

No matter what you’re writing, revising drafts is a headache.

Not only do you have to review your article or story with microscopic focus, but the stress of missing an error and hurting your future writing prospects can be terrifying. Automatic editing software often misses errors and paying for editing services isn’t always an option.

It’s important to find an editing technique that makes the revision process easier and makes you feel confident in your writing.

I developed my own editing method while pursuing my bachelor’s degree in writing and communications. I was freelancing for a local newspaper and serving as editor in chief of my college newspaper while balancing a full course-load of writing-intensive classes and a 75-page senior thesis.

I didn’t have time to spend hours reading over every article or paper.

To handle the workload, I devised a simple three-step method to catch every mistake and build confidence that each draft is well written. READ MORE

Book Editing: What Critical Steps Come After the Writing?

June 2, 2015 by Barbara McNichol 1 Comment

Ask Your Questions

Editor’s note: Here’s the recording for this June 10th webinar.

Is it time to take the development of your business book to the next level? In this free webinar featuring Barbara McNichol, you’ll boost your awareness of both the book editing and writing process as you learn to:

Use a Planner to improve communication with your editor
Whack Wordiness—the most practical technique you’ll ever learn
Apply 10 Top Techniques to improve everything you write

Critical Elements for Book Editing

This webinar, hosted by Cathy Fyock, provides a detailed way to spell out the critical elements of your book—at any stage in your manuscript-writing process—so you can communicate clearly with the book editing pro you choose.

Barbara offers expert editing of articles and nonfiction books in the categories of business, spirituality, self-help, how-to, health, relationships, and more. Over the past 20 years, she has placed more than 300 books on her editing “trophy shelf.”

Here’s the recording for this June 10th webinar.

Thanks for listening. Feel free to ask questions here or contact Barbara McNichol at editor@BarbaraMcNichol.com.

You can download the Planner from the Editing Services page at www.BarbaraMcNichol.com

What Pickleball and Business Writing Have in Common

April 7, 2015 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

Playing pickleball

by Barbara McNichol

A group of over-50s in my neighborhood are learning to love playing pickleball on our brand new pickleball courts. Players with a mixed bag of talent show up—from non-athletic newbies to proven tournament champs.

One of those tourney players recently told me that, to comply with the rules, I needed to change my serve. Not only that, she shared strategy tips I’d not heard before. Playing with her as a partner gave me the chance to practice those tips—both when she reminded me and when she didn’t.

Feeling a little scrambled, I came away thinking, “How many new techniques can I apply at once?”

Back at my computer, I can better empathize with writers as they struggle to apply a number of new techniques that will improve their writing game. Practicing my pickleball serve again and again can be like rewriting paragraphs repeatedly until they work!

That’s Why We Attend Workshops

Applying writing tips in a WordShop session provides an optimal opportunity for new habits to “stick.” That’s why I invite you to participate in an upcoming Business Writing Skills WordShop in Tucson, Arizona, sponsored by Association of Talent Development (formerly ASTD).

It’s Tuesday morning April 21, 2015, at Viscount Suites in Tucson—breakfast included. Full details here.

Just as practicing my new serve is worth my while, I encourage you to invest time learning and applying new writing techniques. I guarantee you’ll gain a lot in this interactive session—and you’ll know what to practice going forward.

Did I say it will be fun? With breakfast, too! Sign up today!

How do you learn new techniques best, whether it’s on the pickleball court or at your writing desk?

Common Grammar Miscues that Undermine Good Writing

November 16, 2014 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

by Barbara McNichol

When I recently asked readers to describe writing challenges they see, one reader responded with this comment:

“Being able to write correctly has saved my editors from having to ‘help’ me. That makes them—and publishing houses in general—very happy. I suggest we also beef up our grammar/syntax so we speak correctly. No more starting sentences with ‘Me and my colleagues’ or using ‘between you and I’.”

This reader isn’t the one noticing these blatant grammar miscues. Watching a recent “Dancing with the Stars” TV show, I counted four times when participants and/or hosts got the pronouns wrong!

Without attempting to overcome years of grammar neglect, let me briefly explain certain common grammar miscues.

“Me and Jack” finished the report. It should be “Jack and I” finished the report.

Rule: When the subject is more than one, you need a subject pronoun (I, she, he, we, they, who).

Clue: Say the sentence without “Jack.” I finished the report. Now it’s easy to tell which pronoun is correct.

“Bob hired Peggy and I to draft the proposal.” It should be “Peggy and me.”

Rule: “Peggy and me” is the object of the verb “draft” and therefore requires an object pronoun (me, her, him, us, them, whom).

Clue: Say the sentence without “Peggy and.” Does it sound right to say “Bob hired I to draft the proposal”? You know it doesn’t! Bob hired me.

“Between you and I, we got the job done.” It should be “you and me.”

Rule: In this sentence, “me” is the object of the preposition “between” and therefore requires an object pronoun (me, her, him, us, them, whom).

“Roger, Lloyd, and myself finished the drawings.” It should be “Roger, Lloyd, and I finished the drawings.”

Rule: You can’t use a “-self” pronoun (myself, yourself, himself, herself, themselves, ourselves) unless it refers to another noun or pronoun earlier in the sentence.

Clue: Look for the referral word that precedes the pronoun.

What writing glitches do you see getting in the way of effective communication? Share them here!

When It Comes to Writing, Be a Precisionette

November 25, 2013 by Barbara McNichol 6 Comments

by Barbara McNichol

A friendship that has spanned almost five decades was recently rekindled on two trips to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where my former twirling duet partner Jeannie lives. On the second trip, my hubby and I were warmly welcomed into their home.

As teenagers, Jeannie and I were long-time members of
the Saskatchewan Roughrider Riderettes, providing pregame and halftime entertainment for that Canadian Football League team inthe 1960s.

Saskatchewan Roughrider Riderettes 1966

Congrats to the Saskatchewan Roughriders who won Canada’s 2013 Grey Cup on November 24th!

In our time together, Jeannie and I reminisced about those glory days of twirling fire baton and flag baton and hoop baton on the football field and at various competitions. I specifically recalled being part of twirling team called the Precisionettes—emphasizing military-like movements in our marching routines.

What good training for my focus on precision in our language today!

One example of writing precision is “just”—an adverb I see overused in the nonfiction books I edit. Mostly, I see authors taking the lazy route by writing “just” when a more precise word works better.

The imprecise “just” can mean “simply,” “only,” “recently,” and more. Consider these examples:

● I just (recently) returned from the store.

● It’s just (only) a few blocks away.

● You can just (only) do one thing at a time.

● I could just (simply) tell you to stay home.

As a writer, do you see how you can be more accurate if you take a moment to ask: What is a more precision choice than “just” in this situation?

My recommendation? Forget about taking a lazy shortcut and simply (not just) resolve to be a Precisionette with everything you write!

Now have some fun! Guess which Riderette is “yours truly” in the photo. The first one to respond in Comments with the correct identification receives a PDF of my Word Trippers ebook.

Hint: Jeannie and I (posing side by side) are among the tallest Riderettes.

5 Ways to Blog Post Writing Success

May 19, 2013 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

by Barbara McNichol

Ever wondered why some blog posts get read and others don’t?

Author/speaker and entrepreneur David Kerpen wrote a blog that sets out 5 ways to strengthen your blog post and get it read. His first point–write an amazing headline–showed up in his own headline. That’s exactly what attracted my attention.

How to Write More Successful Blog Posts

Yes, I want that for myself and for my readers who write!

I invite you read his entire post and share your thoughts with David and with me.

http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130429113637-15077789-how-to-write-more-successful-blog-posts

Would you add tactics to David’s list? If so, what would you add?

To David’s concluding comment about writing “simple, interesting content,” I’d add “expressing your ideas clearly, concisely, and logically with examples.” He modeled this beautifully!

A few more questions to consider: What was your most successful blog post? Which of David’s tactics do you think is most/least important?

Thanks for engaging!

Powerful Affirmations for Writers

May 2, 2013 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

by Grael Norton (used by permission)

Feeling stuck?

Take a few minutes to switch gears in your brain by repeating one or more of these powerful affirmations for writers.

1. What I write today doesn’t have to be good but I do need to be good and write. Perfectionism is the biggest inhibitor for writers. It makes the blank page win every time. Slay that dragon by setting the timer and start writing.

2. I will write every day until my book is completed. The quote by Thomas Edison, “Genius is one per cent inspiration, ninety-nine per cent perspiration,” is worth applying to your writing project.

3. Every minute that I spend writing is making me a better writer. Rome was not built in a day, but it was built. Concentrate on writing every day. Write and rewrite. You will get better.

4. Consistency in writing every day is more important than spasmodic writing marathons. As any accomplished musician will tell you, fifteen minutes of practice a day, every day, will improve your playing more than two hours of practice once a week. Slow and steady builds writing muscles and improves writing technique.

5. I will not let my negative feelings today affect my writing today. If you let your feelings dictate when and how much you write, you’re not in control. Your feelings are. Feelings are affected by outside circumstances such as lack of sleep, too much sugar, a negative comment, almost anything, and everything.

6. The reality is, if I continue to write, I am a writer. This is a play on the quote “The reality is, if you plant corn, corn will come up.” Think about this one. If you plant writing seeds every day, you will produce an abundant harvest.

Grael Norton is Acquisitions Manager at Wheatmark, a company that helps authors with every step of the writing and publishing process.