Post #2 – Women’s Memoirs, Editors on Editing – Kendra Bonnett and Matilda Butler
11 Tips from Editors about Common Problems They Encounter
As you begin your 2011 writing, we wanted to share with you this handy list of 11 tips for memoir writers from editors. These are common problems that you can take care of before you send your manuscript to be edited or to an agent or publisher.
Have your own favorite common mistake that might help other memoir writers? Leave us a comment and we’ll add it to our list.
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Memoir Editing Tip #1: Effect and affect are clearly different words. Yet editors tell us that writers often confuse the two. Do a Find in your document file and then make sure you’ve used the right one.
Memoir Editing Tip #2: Write, rite, and right have different meanings but sound the same. When you are concentrating on your story, your fingers may type the wrong spelling. Double check before sending your manuscript to an editor or a publisher.
Memoir Editing Tip #3: Do you misspell a lot? Be sure to allot ample time to the task of correcting…but never alot. Editors frequently find confusion in the use of these words.
Memoir Editing Tip #4: Do you write that she showed up at 12 A.M for lunch? Hope not as that is midnight. The Search and Replace command lets you make sure you have used A.M. and P.M. correctly. While you’re checking, look for consistency in A.M. (not am or a.m.) and P.M.
[UPDATE: Look at the comments below for an update on this item.]
Memoir Editing Tip #5: Be sharp. Be precise. Editors often find an overuse of “and also.” Is the second part really needed? Remember, you don’t need suspenders and also a belt.
Memoir Editing Tip #6: An editor and I will remind you to join me (not I) on Twitter. Television programs and even publications have muddied the waters about the use of me and I. There are clear rules. Look them up and use these words correctly.
Memoir Editing Tip #7: Regardless of what you hear, never use irregardless. Irregardless is like a double negative and although it can be found in some dictionaries, it is not considered a proper word.
Memoir Editing Tip #8: Here’s one you may not have considered. Don’t say in the $9 range. It takes two numbers to make a range ($5 to $10 range).
Memoir Editing Tip #9: Editors remind us that “greater then” makes them shudder. When fixed, your memoir is greater than before.
Memoir Editing Tip #10: What is you’re problem? A editor can fix your problem. Or, you can. Try to avoid that typical mistake.
Memoir Editing Tip #11: And a final tip from editors: Try TO remember instead of try AND remember.
Would you like an editor to help you in the final stages of writing your memoir? Remember that Story Circle Network’s Editorial Service (SCN/ES) has 14 editors who offer three different levels of professional editing, depending on your need. (http://storycircleeditorialservice.org) You can choose your editor as well as the level of help you feel you need. The per page fee structure makes it easy for you to know your cost in advance. If you need assistance, please let us know as Kendra and I are the co-coordinators for SCN/ES.
