Editing

These are a few tips on editing your work. I'm finding that too many students and authors don't pay enough attention to this valuable process. Often, they also can't be bothered to proofread, either.

1. Every word you write must account for something in each sentence. Don't use fillers, like "you know" or "due to the fact that."

2. Choose your words carefully. There's a big difference between "John walks," "John strides," and "John meanders."

3. Commas--the most misunderstood punctuation mark. Do not use them like periods--to end sentences. That is not their job. Their job is to indicate a temporary pause to the reader so that the reader can catch a mental breath before continuing to read.

4. If you don't have one, invest in a good grammar handbook. My fave is Lynn Aaron's LB BRIEF. It's affordable and concise.

Keep writing, but please take the time to edit and proofread your work.