Edit Delight: Write and Rewrite

By Valerie Allen

Improve your prose by using this checklist for the most common editing errors.  

  • Avoid overuse of that (use find feature/reread sentence/eliminate when not needed)  

They all hoped that you would come to the class. (incorrect)

They all hoped you would come to the class.

  • Keep noun – verb sequence, especially with he said/she said speech tags  

“This is wonderful,” said Valerie. (incorrect)

“This is wonderful,” Valerie said.  

  • Do not use FANBOYS to begin a sentence: F=for; A=as/and; N= neither/nor; B = but; O= or; Y = yet; S= so  

So we all went to the store to buy more pens for our writing project. (incorrect)

We all went to the store to buy more pens for our writing project.  

  • Use a comma before the word but in a sentence (most of the time)  

I enjoy writing but it is hard work. (incorrect)

I enjoy writing, but it is hard work.  

  • Use quotes at the beginning and at the end of dialogue; keep punctuation inside the quotations

I love to teach, Valerie said. (incorrect)

“I love to teach,” Valerie said.  

  • Use italics for internal thoughts; do not add “he/she thought” after internal dialogue.  

Valerie looked at her new book. I know this will be a best seller, she thought. (incorrect)

Valerie looked at her new book. I know this will be a best seller.  

  • Use the correct tag line with a statement and a question.  

“What is the price of this book?” Valerie said. (incorrect)

“What is the price of this book?” Valerie asked.  

  • Start a new paragraph with each speaker.  

“I made friends at my book club.” “They are a great bunch.” “They’re enthusiastic.” (incorrect)

“I made friends at my book club,” Valerie said. (speaker #1)

“They are a great bunch,” Holly said. (speaker #2) “They’re enthusiastic,” Valerie said. (speaker #1 again)  

  • Use hyphens for compound nouns and multiple adjectives  

Valerie, a six year old, is in first grade. (incorrect) Valerie, a six-year-old, is in first grade.    

ABOUT VALERIE:‍

Valerie Allen, psychologist, and author was born in New York and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She graduated with advanced degrees in education and mental health and has taught students from elementary school through post-graduate studies. She is board certified by the National Association of School Psychologists and specializes in working with children and teens.  

She has been a member of the National League of American Pen Women, Cape Canaveral, FL Branch, and served on the Board of Directors of the Space Coast Writers' Guild. She is a founding director of Authors for Authors, which creates marketing venues for writers. AuthorsForAuthors.com

She has published several anthologies which include her award-winning short stories, some humorous, some poignant, which explore the small, and the not-so-small, events and relationships in the lives of ordinary people.  

Her novels are a series of psychological thrillers which focus on children in peril and contemporary social issues related to families.  

She has written books for children, "The Sun and The Moon," "Summer School for Smarties" and "Bad Hair, Good Hat, New Friends. " She also has a workbook for teens and parents, "Go to the Guidance Office and Ask the Counselor About Career Choices."  

Her book for authors, "Write, Publish, Sell!" 2nd edition, is used for workshops and presentations focusing on book marketing and sales.  

She has also written a motivational, psychological self-help book, "Beyond the Inkblots: Confusion to Harmony."   With concerns about recent world events, she has published two books, "Understanding Mental Illness: A Guide for Family and Friends," and "Mental Illness: A Guide for Law Enforcement Agencies."  

Her articles on parenting and child development have been published online and nationwide in educational and parenting magazines.  

Her books are also available as ebooks, in large print, and audio and can be found here.   She is a popular speaker at author workshops, writing conferences, and book talks. She enjoys hearing from readers and book clubs. Valerie can be reached at VAllenWriter@gmail.com, ValerieAllenWriter.com, and at her FB group, Authors for Authors. For more information, visit AuthorsForAuthors.com

She lives in warm and sunny Florida, USA. She has raised six children from whom she has learned many things about life and love!