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Profiting from Reader Feedback

November 18, 2009 by Maria Keckler  
Filed under Editing and Revision, The Whole Nine Yards

5 Comments

Last month I worked night after night to finish two sample chapters for a publisher interested in my book proposal. Faithfully, I toiled away—writing, crafting, rewriting, revising, writing, and rewriting some more.

I was done. What I mean is that I had taken the writing as far as I could. I read what I had written—several times—and knew that although the writing was good, something wasn’t right—I just couldn’t put my finger on the problem. I even tried to put on my writing teacher hat: What would you say if you were a student? I had nothing. I decided it was time to send the writing to my faithful group of volunteer readers—a few family members and friends who have agreed to read my work and give me their honest critique.
SPACE
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SPACE
With three days to spare, four of them stopped what they were doing to give me their impressions. “Give it to me straight,” I said. They did—generously—and they were right on! Long story short: their fresh perspective restored mine, and I was ready to return to the drawing board to produce a better product. Read more

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Tip #5: Revision Strategy – Cut Adverbial Fat

April 25, 2009 by Maria Keckler  
Filed under Editing and Revision, Growing, The Whole Nine Yards, Writing Craft

1 Comment

Today’s tip will help you become a better revisionist and editor of your own writing.  Our focus is on cutting “adverbial fat.” Think about it.  Do these adverbs improve the reader’s view into your subject?  Decidedly, definitely, distinctly, absolutely, certainly, positively…  The answer is NO.

What is an adverb? Adverbs add meaning to verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.  But if you choose precise language to say what you mean, adverbs clutter and weaken your prose. Read more

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