Avoiding Some Common Writing Mistakes by Angie Ledbetter
One thing that improves the look and readability of personal writing is ferreting out our particular tic words. Everyone has and uses them unconsciously. Some of the most popular of these overused words are that, just, like, and about. In fact, the word that is unnecessary about 90% of the time. There are many online (and easy to download) sources for frequency counter programs that (yes, "that" is necessary here) can help you discover your own overused favorites. All you have to do is Google "word frequency counter programs" and see what the search produces.
Reading your work aloud also helps the ear detect what the eye often misses. Again, if we take the time to do a little research, we'll find the Internet is loaded with free writer resources for sharpening our eyes. Another valuable tool is to have people outside of our friends and family circle critique our work.
There’s also the matter of individual voice patterns translating to the written word. Writers in the deep, deep South have a few extra problems to overcome (rassle with) in this area when trying to compose intelligent prose or poetry. Many of the phrases we hear daily, from birth, fall outside the strict (strick) boundaries of accepted use. Then there’s the whole issue surrounding our most beloved word, y’all, and how to pluralize it or make it possessive (y’alls’/y’all’s)? Now, a small amount (dab) of regional slang or dialect is fine. It adds a nice flavor to a story or poem, as long as we don’t go overboard (hawg wild).
Every editor looks for certain things in the submissions he or she reads, and tips for better writing are endless. I like a feeling of completeness in prose and poetry, a unique twist, and a really strong voice. I also subscribe to the read-let simmer-edit-let simmer-reedit school of thought and believe {I deleted the word “that” right here} nothing improves our writing as much as reading the authors and poets {removed “that” again} we admire. I always have several books and journals going simultaneously.
Listed below is advice from generations of Teaching Fellows at Harvard I find helpful to read periodically:
Avoid run-on sentences they are hard to read.
Never use no double negatives.
Reserve the apostrophe for it's proper use and omit it where its not needed.
Verbs has to agree with their subjects.
Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.
Avoid commas, that are not necessary.
When you reread your work, you will find on rereading that a great deal of repetition can be avoided by rereading and editing.
A writer must not shift your point of view.
Do not overuse exclamation marks!!! (In fact, avoid them whenever possible!!!)
Write all adverbial forms correct.
If any word is improper at the end of a sentence, a linking verb is.
Take the bull by the hand and avoid mixed metaphors.
Never, ever use repetitive redundancies.
Everyone should be careful to use singular pronouns with singular nouns in their writing.
If we've told you once, we've told you a thousand times: avoid hyperbole.
Also, avoid awkward or affected alliteration.
Do not string a large number of prepositional phrases together unless you are walking through the valley of the shadow of death.
"Avoid overuse of 'quotation' 'marks.'"
Never use more words than are necessary to get your point across: be concise.
Awayz check you're spelling.
Always be avoided by the passive voice.
Last but not least, avoid clichés like the plague: seek viable alternatives.
Now all that’s left for us to do is sit down and write, and then write some more. So, let’s get busy, y’all, and have some fun.
Angie Ledbetter is co-Publishing Editor of Rose & Thorn Journal. She can be found in the blogosphere and Twitterville .
Posting this link to my blog this morning!
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I have made everyone of those mistakes and learned the hard way to avoid them. I also have a knack for missing dangling modifiers in my prose, hence the neurotic revisions I make when I write. At the end of a blog, or chapter, or paragraph I like to read it aloud and make sure there is not one unnecessary word, unless it contributes to the voice of the piece.
Great post, Angie. Why is it we writers always need reminding? But we do, so thank you.
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Well, thanks Kat!
Darrelyn -- I think we need reminders so often because our heads are always swirling with ideas, words, scenes, poetry lines, etc. Glad you enjoyed the post.
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That was great.
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Dear Angie, This is a very informative post and contains nearly all the proper things that belong in a writers tool box. Thank you and as ever be well
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Very helpful, Angie. Thanks!
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haha oh Harvard TFs
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