Random tips, snips and bits

The best tips I found on editing are simple, things you don't even think about. I am not a published author, but like many aspiring authors, I Google constantly for tips. The below are some I find helpful.

• Stop trying to write like everyone else! You are your own creator, the words are yours, of course it's going to be different.
• Have a little faith in yourself. Stop thinking you suck and just finish the damn story. Editing is where the story comes to life. The first draft is allowed to suck.
• Credentials apparently don't matter. Whether you have a degree or not is not going to get you published.
• It doesn't matter whether your 16 or 93, age does not matter. 
• Don't be afraid to delete. Do not get attached to your words. If it doesn't make sense or your constantly repeating yourself, (even if it is written in a different way) delete it!
• The word "that" can be deleted from many of your paragraphs. Do a search and see where it can be deleted. The same goes for "there is" There may be a better way to start your sentence.
• Write down the dreams and nightmares that stick in your mind. They may give you ideas.
• Take breaks from your screen. Go for a walk, nap, shower, cook, clean, whatever, you'll have fresh eyes when you return to your computer.
• Never give up something you love. If you love writing and love your stories, never stop writing. You don't have to be published to write what you love.
• Not everyone is going to like your work, the same as you probably don't love everything you've read. Don't be discouraged, there are people out there who will love your novel as much as you do.
• Read everything you can find. I read a lot of paranormal young adult books because that's what I like to write and read.
• Apparently literary agents aren't fond of prologues. That's fair enough! But write a prologue for yourself. Make sure you know your characters back story, not just the main character. You want all your characters to come alive off the page. 
• Be mindful of word overuse. I over sigh, shake my head and nod.
• I use exclamation points way too much.
• I say even, really and but, way too much.
• I saw a great tip on Alec Shane's twitter feed https://twitter.com/alecdshane. Email your query to yourself first so you know what the prospective agent will be receiving.
• Check your grammar. Nothing's ever going to be perfect but there are tools on the web nowadays which can make your life that much easier. I googled the top twenty grammar mistakes which I found unbelievably helpful. 
• Don't forget to have a life. Enjoy time with your friends and family. It's easy to lock yourself in your room and become a bit of a hermit. Trust me, I know...
• There are always going to be trolls and bullies in this world. Don't take what people say to heart. Be proud of who you are and what you love to do.
• This blog and most of my writing comes from what I call, a brain fart. Put simply, write down whatever you want, however you want to say it. It's a process, it's fun, it's entertainment.
• Check out the Publishers Marketplace www.publishersmarketplace.com
• Check out Literary Rambles www.literaryrambles.com
• Check out Query Tracker www.querytracker.net
• Check out Goodreads www.goodreads.com
• Check out other people's query letters http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/successful-queries 
• Check out the Hollywood Report's youtube interview with literary agents
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL5bcAXTZys
• I'm basically telling you to do your research. Check which literary agents are looking for your genre, check what their submission guidelines are, who their recent clients are. I've seen quite a few literary agents on twitter comment that their submission guidelines specify no attachments, yet aspiring authors are sending attachments. Some are only sending a query letter without the requested manuscript. Don't get rejected on a technicality.
• Don't send that manuscript until you're happy with it, but don't put it off either. Do your best work, edit until you can read through the entire thing without stumbling over the words. You will always find something that you want to change but eventually, you need to bite the bullet and send that sucker. Don't be afraid of rejection.
• Ask your friends and family to look over your work. Some will be overly nice and say it's great, while others will tell you the truth, give you pointers. They may not be writers, they may not be literary agents and publishers, but they are readers. That's who you're trying to reach.
• Research what people are reading and their feedback. It may help you.

 

more to come...