Interesting article on self-editing your fic

[dbskyler]

I came across this article on self-editing, and it has some really great advice that applies to fanfic as well as to original fiction:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristen-lamb/six-easy-tips-for-selfedi_b_3838124.html

I have to admit, I have been guilty of doing some of the exact things it says not to do! At least I know there's room for improvement in my writing, right?

Comments

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

Well, every editor is going to have writing styles they like and styles they don't like. It's fine to ignore the advice if you don't agree with it.

I do think that she's right in general, though, and that these are pretty good rules to follow. While it's fine to break them for a specific purpose, it's better if the writer knows that they're breaking them -- that they're making that stylistic choice. "Eyes flew" is indeed a metaphor, and once isn't a problem, but I have seen authors basically have characters' eyes doing aerobics with all their movement, and I do think those fics would be better if their authors used that type of phrase more sparingly. But I fully agree that it's a matter of taste.

As for the "said" business, not only do I agree with the blogger, but it is actually one of my pet peeves as a reader. Well, I do think you can snarl words, but some of the others? "That joke was really funny," she laughed. vs. That joke was really funny," she said, laughing. Sorry, but I do think the second version is correct, and the first version is wrong. I don't know, maybe it's just another type of stylistic choice, but it bothers me every single time I come across it.

[lolmac]

This has gotten me thinking a lot, which is always a Fine Thing. I'll probably end up making a post out of it. Thank you!

[dbskyler.livejournal.com]

It is an interesting topic, isn't it? I look forward to reading your post!