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"'The Frugal Editor: Do-It-Yourself Editing Secrets for Authors' is a complete course of instruction under one cover." ~ Jim Cox Editor-in-Chief Midwest Book Review


Wednesday, December 18, 2013

On Editing: Wordiness Producers

I have to post these things for my dear Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor Blog when I think of them--which is usually while I'm editing. Here are a couple of phrases that contribute to wordiness.

 
“I find” and “taken the time to” aren’t awful phrases but they contribute to wordiness. They can usually be deleted from copy without losing meaning and what you say without them will be more direct, more forceful, more memorable and, well . . . cleaner.




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Carolyn Howard-Johnson edits, consults. and speaks on issues of publishing. Find her The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success (How To Do It Frugally series of book for writers). Learn more about her other authors' aids at www.howtodoitfrugally.com/writers_books.htm , where writers will find lists and other helps including Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips on the Resources for Writers page. She blogs on all things publishing (not just editing!) at her Sharing with Writers blog. She tweets writers' resources at www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo . Please tweet this post to your followers. We all need a little help with editing. (-:

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