EDITING 101: 40 – Editing Myths…

Susan Uttendorfsky and the crew at Adirondack Editing explore a few popular rules about editing.

I prefer “guidelines” because language is a tool. It works if you apply is with mastery and breaks if you don’t use it well. I agree with their assessment of the guidelines. However, never forget guidelines develop for reasons which may or may not continue to apply. Nonetheless, many readers believe those same rules apply. Break their rules too often and they judge your writing rather than read.

If you can follow the guidelines, and it makes sense to do so, I would (and I do). If, however, ignoring them creates a delightful effect, or improves the rhythm and flow of your sentence, then don’t hesitate to ignore them.

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Originally posted as the Dun Writin’—Now Whut? series on this blog, EDITING 101 is a weekly refresher series for some of you and brand new for others.

Courtesy of Adirondack Editing

Editing Myths

I’m sure you’ve heard of these “rules” that need to be applied to your manuscript. Today we’re going to debunk them as myths!

Never start a sentence with a conjunction (and, but, or), however, or because.

Never end a sentence with a preposition.

Passive voice is always wrong.

You use “a” before words that start with consonants and “an” before words that start with vowels.

Don’t use who when the rules call for whom.

Don’t split an infinitive verb with an adverb.

The only way to write a possessive is to add ’s to the word.

Data and media are plural nouns and always take a plural verb.

Because the English language is fluid and adjustable, there is no…

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