SYNTAX SINS – Hard to spot but easy to fix.

Listen for my old teacher voice asyou read. Ha! Routinely, I find a certain error throughout manuscripts. If youmake this mistake, you are not alone.

Often, when a writer makes thismistake, he/she makes it hundreds of times in a manuscript. Stop now tomake sure you understand this common issue and eliminate it from your writing.

The issue? MISPLACED MODIFIERS 

Here’s the rule. Descriptivewords and phrases (modifiers) need to be as close as possible in the sentenceto whatever they are describing. If they are misplaced, the sentence’s meaningchanges.

Your writing goals deserveattention to detail. This article explains the types of misplaced modifiers andincludes examples. If you have to read this article a few times, do it. Keep acheat sheet handy while you write.

https://www.blinn.edu/writing-centers/pdfs/Misplaced-Interrupting-and-Dangling-Modifiers.pdf

Misplaced modifiers can be hard tospot in your own writing, but try to pay attention and correct these before yousend them to your editor, who should be getting your best draft. You don’t wantto pay a chef to wash dishes. Start scrubbing those manuscripts so that the editorcan focus on word choice, pacing, authentic and consistent characterization,story arc, tone, mood, voice, conflict, dialogue, clarity, and other issuesthat will make your book excellent.

If you are committed to creating thebest possible book, you should routinely review grammar, mechanics, and syntax.Crippled Beagle Publishing has created an easy-to-follow cheat sheet to helpyou. Download our Proofread Like a Pro Checklist, which also includes oursubmissions guidelines, a list of dead words, and many tips. This invaluabletool can be found in the Author Shop at www.crippledbeaglepublishing.com.Here is the direct link: ProofreadLike a Pro Checklist

Happy writing and revising!

Xoxoxo

Jody