12 Mistakes that Will Make Your Editor Cringe

Today, I’m excited to bring you something awesome and new!

During the launch party for The Last Bucelarii (Book 2): Lament of the Fallen, I had so much fun with the virtual discussion panels that I decided  to do them on a regular basis. I want to do at least one or two per month, all on topics of interest to readers and authors.

This first one is one that ALL authors will want to check out. The title “12 Mistakes that Will Make Your Editor Cringe”.

In the video below, I sit down with three awesome editors and talk about writing mistakes that will turn any editor’s stomach. Watch it and see for yourself how you can avoid irritating your editor:

Quick Recap:

The 12 mistakes are:

Not reading submission guidelines
Awkward, clunky, or incorrect dialogues
Describing dialogue instead of having the dialogue
Magic without a price/cost, undeveloped magic system or deus ex machina
Deus ex machina
Underdevelopment of romantic relationships — “it’s meant to be” BAD!
Dialogue tags poorly used
Too many big words, especially when used incorrectly. Using the words RIGHT!
Crutch phrases that are lazy writing. “Almost”, “somehow”, “thought to myself”,
Incorrectly used modifiers.
“Who” and “that” used incorrectly
Books with female leads that don’t pass the Bechdel test

The Panelists:

Megan Hannum is a developmental editor and writing coach at Whynott Edit, helping writers refine their words, strengthen their skills, and tell the best possible version of their stories. It’s been said she has “a supernatural ability to see what’s missing,” which she uses to get writers from completed draft to publishable manuscript. Sign up for a FREE 30-minute consultation to kickstart your revision now!

Website – www.thewhynottblog.com

Facebook – facebook.com/whynottblog

Twitter – twitter.com/whynottblog

 

Heidi Angell is a bibliophile, lexicomaniac and wordsmith. She is the author of The Hunters Series, The Clear Angel Chronicles, and The Hell School Series. She also created Royal Prince Vince, and Creative Exercises to Inspire. When she is not reading and writing, she can be found spending quality time with her lovely family camping, hiking, swimming, or watching movies.

Website:  www.heidiangell.com

Maura Van der Linden is an expert in both technical and creative writing, and has spent her life helping authors perfect their craft.

Website: http://www.thecontenteditor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheContentEditor/

The post 12 Mistakes that Will Make Your Editor Cringe appeared first on Andy Peloquin.