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Here's another reminder
that a thorough edit is of the utmost importance,
and should be sought eagerly before any beloved manuscript goes out into the world.
Cut, cut, cut with
all the ruthlessness of ... well, a good pair of scissors.
Tight clean prose not only
flows across the page, it shows agents and editors you know what you're doing.
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EXAMPLE:
The stranger's nose was small and slightly flared above his upper lip.
(Unless we're talking about something other than humans, the nose is always above the upper lip.)
CLEANED UP:
The stranger had a small nose, slightly flared.
EXAMPLE:
He blinked his eyes a few times. (As opposed to blinking his ears.)
CLEANED UP:
He blinked.
EXAMPLE:
She shrugged her shoulders, unsure.
(As opposed to shrugging her unsure kneecaps.)
CLEANED UP:
She shrugged.
EXAMPLE:
He tiptoed down the hall, one foot at a
time. (As opposed to tiptoeing with both feet.)
CLEANED UP:
He tiptoed down the hall.
EXAMPLE:
Using his pen, he hastily scribbled a note. (As opposed to using his
floor lamp.)
CLEANED UP:
He
scribbled a note.
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