The current weather patterns are creating havoc with my internet access and my work. It's never a good idea to indulge in either with thunder and lightning going off around the house.
But today was mild, and that meant work. I've been editing Teardrops of War and it is slow going.
I can't remember what draft this is, but the current editing project deals with passive voice and so-called weasel words.
The passive voice can be identified with the help of Microsoft's spelling and grammar function; changing sentences to active voice is the challenge.
For example: No doubt he would be lectured once again on the value of staying on post at all times. Is passive; words like 'was', 'has been', 'will be', 'are', 'have been' should be taken out. Go here for some examples. I rewrote the sentence as: Druce’s smile was faint, as if anticipating the coming confrontation with the Brigadier. This turns it active, and gets rid of some 'weasel words' at the beginning of the next sentence.
It is hard to write an entire book without using passive voice somewhere, but as long as it's kept to a minimum, I don't think you have to tie yourself into a mental pretzel trying to make the novel entirely active.
Weasel words are probably the hardest. You don't know how many you've used until you check and the more you practice, the better you'll be at getting rid of them. I replace the words with a coloured version and it's amazing what turns up.
Words like 'that', 'was', 'were', 'have', 'had', 'there', 'by', 'am', 'be', 'is', 'have been', '-ly' lengthen a manuscript when it's not necessary. This is where paragraph edits become important. Is there a better way to write it? To shorten it? To add a more descriptive and punchy term?
All authors have their pet hates; it's a matter of personal choice, but the words above are the fundamental ones. Try it with you're own manuscript and see what you come up with.
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