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Here's another reminder
that a thorough edit is of the utmost importance,
and should be sought eagerly before any beloved manuscript goes out into the world.
Cut, cut, cut with
all the ruthlessness of... well, a good pair of scissors.
Tight clean prose not only
flows across the page, it shows agents and editors you know what you're doing.
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EXAMPLE:
The stranger's nose was small and slightly flared above his upper lip.
(Unless we're talking about something other than humans, the nose is always above the upper lip.)
CLEANED UP:
The stranger had a small nose, slightly flared.
EXAMPLE:
He blinked his eyes a few times. (As opposed to blinking his ears.)
CLEANED UP:
He blinked.
EXAMPLE:
She shrugged her shoulders, unsure.
(As opposed to shrugging her unsure kneecaps.)
CLEANED UP:
She shrugged.
EXAMPLE:
He tiptoed down the hall, one foot at a
time. (As opposed to tiptoeing with both feet.)
CLEANED UP:
He tiptoed down the hall.
EXAMPLE:
Using his pen, he hastily scribbled a note. (As opposed to using his
floor lamp.)
CLEANED UP:
He
scribbled a note.
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