Part 1: First-Time Author Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

When I used to perform manuscript evaluations, there were certain things I looked for before the actual editing began. The information I provide in this blog post will be valuable additions to your self-editing process. If you’re not familiar with Ctrl+F, get ready to learn.

1. Mundane Details: A common problem found in manuscripts of first-time authors is “Mundane Details” (getting out of bed, walking to the kitchen, etc.) These are trivial matters that no reader is going to care about. Note that if minor details in your manuscript don’t support the overall plot, a subplot, or character development, you don’t need it. Once you’ve eliminated these trivial scenes from your manuscript, the story will flow with much more ease.

2. Example: When characters are leaving a place, there is sometimes build-up in exit scenes. I recommend scrapping some of them and cutting to when your characters have already left, or even cutting to when they reach their destination. I understand that sometimes valuable information is shared when characters depart a place, but the information can easily be conveyed in another scene as well. I feel like these scenes are comparable to a visitor in my home who puts off leaving. They’ll bring up a subject just as they’re walking toward the front door, or they’ll start asking questions that lead to a whole new conversation. We can all agree that sometimes people overstay their welcome, and that is how exit scenes can make readers feel, which is why I recommend scrapping some of them.

The following list items are typically overused in manuscripts of first-time authors.

• The word very:

Here is a great video that offers excellent alternatives to descriptions like very sad, very happy, and so on.

• The word just:

“It happened just after…” is a great example of what not to do repeatedly. Note that I added emphasis on the word repeatedly. I don’t mean you need to nix every instance of the word just; just don’t do it all the time, especially when the intent of the sentence is the same without it or when you can substitute it for something else. In this case, I recommended that my client substitute the word just with the word right, as in “It happened right after…” It sounds more authentic and rolls off the tongue much easier—which is much better for your readers. And sometimes you don't need this phrase at all. Just say what happened.

• The ellipsis (…):

If your characters are repeatedly trailing off or continually pausing between words, your readers will (a) wonder about the character’s well-being and (b) get tripped up while reading. Nobody wants that.

• The exclamation point (!), including doubles (!!) and triples (!!!):

Unless the situation absolutely calls for it—intense battle scenes where the characters are yelling over each other—don’t use an exclamation point. I cannot begin to tell you how many manuscripts I’ve come across that have a plethora of exclamation points. And, just for the record, it is never justified to use multiple exclamation points at the end of a sentence, no matter how upset your character is. One exclamation point will always suffice.

Describing the characters emotions with actions and body language, such as facial expressions and arm movement, shows your audience how they're feeling. If you want to learn more about "Show, Don't Tell," read my guest blog post on a colleague's website.

• The question mark and exclamation point combo (?!) (interrobang):

These belong in Facebook posts and on other social media platforms—rarely in your manuscript—so use them sparingly and with trepidation, if at all.

• The word then, including he then & she then:

“He then loudly stood up from his chair,” is a great example of what you need to watch for. “He stood up from his chair abruptly, the screeching of the legs against the floor causing everyone in the room to turn his direction and glare,” or something to that effect would create a better visual for your readers.

• ALL CAPS:

This is typically reserved for acronyms and abbreviations. “‘WHAT?!’ he screamed.” Your dialogue or action tag should be pulling enough weight to inform your audience of the depth of the emotions the character is feeling in this moment, without the need for all caps and the interrobang.

I recommend using Ctrl+F for each item above. Read the sentence or scene where each item is found to determine whether it is truly necessary. Sometimes, replacing a word with a synonym more suitable to the sentence is necessary, and other times, omitting a word altogether is best. Here is a great resource with several other words that writers don’t need in their manuscripts. Feel free to Ctrl+F the words provided in the article I linked and the items listed above.

Please note that there are exceptions to every rule and that each editor has their own way of doing things. My job as an editor is to guide you, not to dictate your writing style.

These are only a few things I keep an eye out for when I am editing a manuscript. I don’t tell my clients “You can’t do that,” though. My advice is much more in-depth and all-encompassing, and I often offer suggestions.

If you’re nearly finished with your manuscript, send me an email. Let’s get to know each other.