Save for an editor, learn a bit of grammar: Lie vs. Lay explained!

[BookWhispers]

These two culprits are common causes for writers' confusion. No wonder, they are so similar in form and meaning. To complicate matters even more, lie can show up as a verb and a noun. And lay as a verb, noun, and even an adjective. Let's make it clear once and for all.

https://mybookwhisperer.org/2020/07/2...

[Eric]

Awesome! Thank you!

[Deborah]

Lie vs. lay is something even I get mixed up at times...and I taught grammar, and I've been an editor. Thanks for the reminders...because I hate using wrong grammar!

[BookWhispers]

Same here, that is why I wrote that article :D I also hate teaching the conditionals. Especially all of them in a row.

[Ann]

Good, clear article. It's tricky!

[Jim]

Unfortunately, far too many uninformed novice authors self-publish before expending the time, energy, and resources to first learn and improve upon basic writing skills (spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, and narration), along with the editing process and resulting benefits.

Self-editing does not work. The eye sees what it intends to see, not what is actually on the paper. The services of a qualified editor can make the difference between a writer's work becoming a quality piece of literature or a crude, humiliating parody.

[Patricia]

I agree with you Jim, 100%, BUT, there's a lot of money to be made by self-publishing companies, so I don't see changes to the system coming anytime soon. Some of the blurbs I read are ridiculous in concept as well as the grammar. However, that's the way of the world today. Quantity is in, quality is out.

[Lynda]

Patricia wrote: ". . . there's a lot of money to be made by self-publishing companies, so I don't see changes to the system coming anytime soon. Some of the blurbs I read are ridiculous i..."

I don't understand the concept of self-publishing companies, and I think they prey on authors who are afraid to learn the publishing process on their own.

An author who plans to self-publish needs to do a significant amount of self-editing before handing it over to a professional editor and others. Costs include copyediting, formatting, proofreading (after the final MS is formatted), cover design. Marketing can be done for free on all kinds of social media with an investment of time and effort, and if the author wants to pay for more marketing and promo, there are tons of options out there.

A self-publishing company will do those same things, but will charge more to compensate for the middle-man cost. It's business, plain and simple. What many indie authors don't realize is that they can do all these same things by finding those editors, cover designers, and formatters on their own, thus saving the upcharge. It just takes time and effort.

[Richard]

Getting back to the actual subject... One of the difficulties with staying clear on the usage of lay/lie is that there are widely spoken dialects (at least in North America) that regularly mix up lay/lie. One even hears such usage in recordings, films, etc... contexts where one would hope there are professional editing services in use.

Also, yeah, I had my knuckles rapped by a kind editor early on and have tried to be hyper aware of this issue ever since. LOL.

[BookWhispers]

A published book needs an editor, that is certain. The aim of the article was to show the authors a few options so self-edit before so the cost of the final edit is lower :)

[Lynda]

There are two books I recommend for writers that will help them self-edit to the best of their abilities before hiring a professional editor (whether they plan to query an agent or to self-pub):

Self-editing for Self-publishers by Richard Bradburn

and

Self-editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Brown and Dave King

Bradburn's is newer (this year), so it has more updated information, methods, and trends, but both books are extremely helpful.