Editing A Manuscript - The Most Common Mistakes - video

Freelance editor Erin Brown shares the most common novel writing mistakes she sees in the manuscripts she has edited over the years and provides tips on how you can avoid them. One of the biggest writing mistakes she sees is that authors tell instead of show. To fix this error, use the characters' actions or facial expressions to show that they are excited or angry, instead of just stating the fact. Another mistake is when a book is missing a hook. The topic, writing, or characters need a way to stand out from the competition. Not finding your voice or the voice of your characters is another writing mistake. And of course, as an editor she sees a lot of grammar mistakes.
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    Understand that having a distinct voice fr self and characters are important. Show instead of telling a head of time. Not giving away the plot.

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    Thank you, things to take note.
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    very informative and useful for me. Thank you Erin.
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    These are just personal notes but I am willing to share. Book distinctive personalities. wat The Hawk is. "Find something to the personality of your character." (Write a catalogue of your character's personality") as you are writing the story. Go back and read the character's Distinctive personality when you are using the character. When appropriate. As personality is the future of your character. Basic grammar check most important " grammar is not basic it is mostly and most important". "for this goes hand-in-hand with your dialogue" when each person starts a conversation make a new line. For each person. visualise the anger. Show that the actor is angry. "Show rather than tell" little point to oneself. People do not like to be told.
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    Erin, I appreciate the information you gave. It will help me to look over each poem to see where I can change words to Show vs. Tell the experience. Thanks again.

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