improving writing Archives - Barbara McNichol Editorial Services

What Editors Tell Authors About Improving Their Writing

November 13, 2017 by Barbara McNichol 1 Comment

by Barbara McNichol

What can editors tell writers and authors about improving their writing? Consider these five common writing mistakes even conscientious writers make:

Mistake #1: Being self-absorbed as a writer. With too much talk about the author’s experience of writing, you risk overlooking the reader’s experience. The fix? Use “you” more than “I” in your sentences and stay close to your core message.

Mistake #2: Addressing readers in plural rather than as a single person whose interest you want to capture. Remember, reading is a solitary pastime. The fix? Keep one person in your target audience in your mind’s eye as you write.

Mistake #3: Using a long noun phrase when an active verb will do. The fix? Whenever possible, get an active verb to do the “work” of the sentence. Instead of “the examination of the report was done by the director,” change the noun phrase to a verb and rewrite the sentence: “The director examined the report.” In this way, passive construction becomes active, reduces the word count, and delivers a more direct message.

Mistake #4: Having no clear order to the paragraphs. The fix? Once you’ve crafted a solid, compelling opening, think through how the organization and flow of your main points will best guide your reader logically to your desired conclusion. If possible, test the result with colleagues or actual readers who will give you honest feedback.

Mistake #5: Writing sentences that ramble (on and on and on and on). The fix? Limit your sentences to 15-21 words maximum. Be sure to vary sentence length to create interest.

Bonus mistake: Flat-out choosing the wrong word. Yes, in English, it’s easy to confuse common words such as “advice” instead of “advise” (among hundreds more). The fix? Use a comprehensive resource such as Word Trippers (print or ebook) to help you select the perfect word when it really matters. Want a free mini-version of Word Trippers (the ebook)? Go to http://www.WordTrippers.com

What common writing mistakes would you add to this list?

What’s the Link Between Quality and Value in Your Writing?

February 27, 2012 by Barbara McNichol Leave a Comment

by Barbara McNichol

When you select a dentist, no doubt you weigh many factors before making that appointment. Quality and value considerations top the list.

I recently explored how book authors in my circle view the relationship between QUALITY and VALUE when it comes to improving their writing through editing.

Not only did I bask in some praise (“like finding a good dentist, Barbara takes all the pain out of editing,” one client wrote), I got valuable information to share at an upcoming editing panel at the Tucson Festival of Books.

The questions I asked about 400 authors were:

If you have not used professional editing services, what do you expect the VALUE of your written pieces to be when they are professionally edited versus no outside editing?
If you have used editors, how did you perceive the relationship between the QUALITY of the editorial services received and the VALUE it brought to your work?
For future projects, how will you determine the QUALITY of editing you need to achieve the ultimate VALUE you’re looking for?

From the responses I’ve received to date, I’ve gleaned a number of insights representing only a smattering of valued responses. They include:

To respect the author’s intentions by understanding the hearts and minds of intended readers
To ensure the author’s work is a delight to read and, therefore, marketable
To appreciate and respect the subject and intention of the book’s topic
To emphasize that the more professionally written the piece (book, article, blog, newsletter), the more credibility and respect (value) the author gains
To make the writing more engaging and use vivid words that paint a picture for the reader
To ask insightful questions and add considered opinions to the book’s discussion
To make the author’s experience easy and efficient though a high standard and fast turnaround times
To convey that because of the quality of the editing, the value of what’s written increases immensely; for some, it has led to more speaking engagements!

I invite you to chime in on this conversation and share your thoughts on these three questions.

What Editors Tell Authors About Improving Their Writing

What’s the Link Between Quality and Value in Your Writing?

From Our Blog

No More Boring Expressions!

Quick Links

From Our Blog

Quick Links

Connect with Barbara