Editor's Bugaboos in Writing
When clients send me documents for editing, I always warn them that not all editors are created equal. We don't agree on every element. We have individual quirks, mainly in our notions of what constitutes good/bad creative writing. If the writing must follow a particular style guide, then that is the reference I'll use in editing. However, left to my own preferences and in ambiguous situations where style guides conflict, these elements I will usually flag as needing elimination or rewriting:
* the verb to be
* sentences beginning with "there [to be]"
* passive construction
* avoidable ellipses and dashes
"Why?" braver clients whine. Depending on what kind of a day the editor is having, the response may range from "because I say so" to an explanation that using strong, action verbs and sentences causes clearer, more colorful, exciting or readable writing. If the document under scrutiny is for business, ellipses and dashes have no business in the text, anyway. Academic writing is another animal entirely with its own restrictions and formats. My thesis chair described that form of writing as "constipated".

* the verb to be
* sentences beginning with "there [to be]"
* passive construction
* avoidable ellipses and dashes
"Why?" braver clients whine. Depending on what kind of a day the editor is having, the response may range from "because I say so" to an explanation that using strong, action verbs and sentences causes clearer, more colorful, exciting or readable writing. If the document under scrutiny is for business, ellipses and dashes have no business in the text, anyway. Academic writing is another animal entirely with its own restrictions and formats. My thesis chair described that form of writing as "constipated".
Labels: fiction, nonfiction, writing











2 Comments:
You might elaborate on the verbs "to be" as many just don't get it. I know that I didn't get it for years, and years, and years, and years, and then ONE day I was reading yet another style book on how to write better and Wa-La - I got it.
It was invigorating, but many still don't. A blog post on that would be helpful for many!
Hey Geo,
I think I saw you hit my Honky Tonks post and follow the link to "Legends Corner" ?
Let me guess, you noticed the possessive apostrophes in Tootsie's, Layla's & Robert's and wondered if I'd dropped one ?
(My guess is it should be Legends' but the owners don't really know.)
Ian
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