Revising Your Manuscript: Have it Read Aloud

"I think what can often help is asking someone else to read your work aloud to you, or better yet, ask him/her to record himself reading it, and then listen to that recording by yourself and then with others."
~ Ginger Knowlton (Agent w/Curtis Brown LTD) - on Jolie Stekly's blog Cuppa Jolie 

The above quote was taken from Jolie Stekly's blog (clickable link above).  This was part of an interview she did with literary agent, Ginger Knowlton.

This is an ingenious idea!  Reading your own story out loud, so you can hear it rather than just see it, is something every writer should certainly do.  But having someone else read it aloud?  Even better. 

When you read your own story, you may have a tendency to read it the way you want it to read, rather than the way it actually comes across to readers who don't hear the character's voices in their head, aren't in your head-space, and don't know what you meant to say.

Having someone record themselves reading your story, so you can go back over it whenever you want, would certainly be one of the most helpful tips I've ever run across.  It could be your sister, a delightful beta-reader, your husband, whoever.  If they trip up?  Good!  Then you'll know which areas a reader may trip up on, while trying to read your book.

A simple recording device, a willing victim, and your finished manuscript is all you need.  And voila!  A low-cost, utterly fantastic, invaluable way to improve your writing and your story, while helping you revise and edit your manuscript.

Writing: Get and Got

During my first semester of college, on the very first day of English Composition, Mr. Taylor announced to the class that we were not to use the words "get" or "got" in our (many) essays.  The man had a passionate hatred for these terms, as I found out -- his mighty red pen circled them each and every time you used "get" or "got", complete with a comment that reminded you of his dislike for the terms, in no uncertain way.

At first, I was annoyed by this.  After all, neither word is actually incorrect.  Who was he to say that we couldn't or shouldn't use words that worked perfectly well for what we were trying to say?  But, it was his class.  He was in charge of my grade.  I would have to conform to his standards, if I wanted to pass (not unlike working with a professional editor/publisher).  So, I worked really, really, really hard never to use either "get" or "got".  Let me tell you, it is hard not to use a word you're used to being an okay word -- especially when someone tells you not to.

Eventually, however, I learned to appreciate why he didn't like these words.  He was right -- there was almost always a better word you could use in place of either "get" or "got".  "I got to the store late." vs. "I arrived at the store late".  "I'll get the door." vs. "I'll answer the door."  In the written word, the second sentences really do sound better, less lazy, than the first sentences.

To this day, I try not to use either "get" or "got" in my writing.  And, to this day, both words mildly irritate me, when I see them in anything written.  Mr. Taylor's tutelage has stuck with me, there can be no mistake about that.

So, what's my point here?  When your editor, or critique partner, or (fill in the blank) fixes your word use, or tells you that certain words are coming off like you didn't really think them through - they aren't trying to be insulting, they are trying to help you become a stronger, better writer.  And, after all, that's your goal too, right?  No matter how good you are, how strong a writer you are, there is always room for improvement.  Anyone and everyone can become an even better writer.

Every single word in your manuscript should be deliberately chosen.  Every word should have a purpose.  And, ideally, every single word is the perfect word -- the exact right word -- the word you meant to use in precisely the right place, and in precisely the right context.

Revising Your Manuscript: Adverbs

Adverbs that end in 'ly' (hugely, beautifully, darkly, etc.) can bring your writing down.  I see them a lot, in the manuscripts I edit/proofread/critique.  And, honestly, I use them a lot in my rougher drafts, when I write as well.

The problem with using ly-adverbs is that people just don't like them.  Here's why:

1) They have a tendency to trip readers up.  They're getting into the story, they're immersing themselves in the world you've created, then bam!  They're bombarded with a bunch of words that all have the same ending.  This will bring many readers out of your world, and potentially harm their ability to fully enjoy your work.

2) They also have a tendency to annoy editors, publishers, agents, reviewers, fellow writers, etc.  Why?  Because it is often viewed as "weak" or "lazy" writing to sprinkle these pesky suckers throughout your manuscript.  Why?  Because there is usually a better description you can give, if you push yourself to think of something just a bit stronger.  Example: "He smiled widely." vs. "A wide smile spread across his face."  Try saying both of those out loud, and you'll see what I mean.

3) It's a style thing.  "Frustratingly" is a very difficult word to say, and most people wouldn't say it in real life, so why try to make them?

Sure, adverbs that end in 'ly' are easy.  And, go ahead and use them for your rough draft (that's what revisions are for - cleaning up and tightening that rough draft).  But, easy doesn't equal good. 

I'm not saying NEVER EVER use them.  One or two, in the right places, might work very well (depending on the particular story).  Throughout the book though?  Not a good idea.  You want to make the right impression - the first time, every time.  So, make that book shine its brightest!

But, don't use them within character dialogue.  Just don't.  Again, maybe, depending on the particular story, once or twice -- you have to know your story well enough to know when and how you can pull it off.  

Example: in the movie version of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.  Professor Umbridge is interrogating teachers.  She gets to Snape.

Umbridge: "You first applied for the defense against the dark arts position?"
Snape:      "Yes"
Umbridge: "And, you did not receive it?"
Snape:      "Obviously."

That is a well-placed ly-adverb.  It's delivered well by the character.  Done correctly, there is no reason you couldn't pull that kind of delivery off in your own writing, even though you don't have Alan Rickman's awesome acting talent behind your protagonist/antagonist.  But, it needs to be VERY rare.  In a general sense - you CAN do better.  Your characters CAN do better.  I have faith in you.