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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/2190-.html
Fantasy: January 23, 2008 Issue [#2190]

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Fantasy


 This week:
  Edited by: rose_shadow
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

"It is perfectly okay to write garbage--as long as you edit brilliantly."
-C.J. Cherryh


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: 0910355479
Amazon's Price: $ 13.99


Letter from the editor

Editing Checklist: Part II


Hey folks, Erin here back with part 2 of the editing checklist for your stories.

Remember, the first thing you need for editing your stories is distance. Let it sit a day or two and go back to it with fresh eyes.

Now, for the list.

[*Check1*] Watch out for sentences that start with "It is/was/etc" and "There are/etc". This kind of language can get you into trouble with antecedents and can usually be tightened up.

[*Check1*] Be on the lookout for dangling participles.
*Right* Coming down the hill, the church was clearly visible. Can't you see that the first part of this sentence "Coming down the hill" (the dangler) modifies nothing? A much better way to say this is:
*Right* As we came down the hillside, the church was clearly visible.

[*Check1*] Double check your use of "only". Putting "only" in different parts of the sentence can alter the meaning. "Only" should be as close as possible to the word you want to modify.
*Right*Only he went to the store.
*Right* He only went to the store.
*Right* He went only to the store.
*Right* He went to the story only.

[*Check1*] Purge all your vague adjectives like amazing, interesting, compelling, appealing. Replace with words that paint pictures.

[*Check1*] Finally, the most basic of editing. SPELLCHECK. If you do nothing else, please, please spellcheck your stories. If you don't have software that spellchecks for you, take it to a friend's computer that does or a library computer. Nothing turns me off faster when opening a story than finding badly spelled words everywhere.


Editor's Picks

Submitted items:

The Unofficial Fantasy Contest (CLOSED) Open in new Window. [ASR]
Contest is currently closed.
by The Messenger Author Icon

 Sky of Dust and Fear: Chapter One Open in new Window. [13+]
A work in progress. Slightly fantasy in nature.
by theparaNOIDZ Author Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 Salamanca: Magical Girls Intro&Prologue Open in new Window. [13+]
Intro. & prologue for Salamanca:Magical Girls. Read this 1st before Chap.1!
by The Whiz Author Icon

Dead Air Open in new Window. [18+]
The key to peace may be in the head of a silent prisoner, and Mora must extract it.
by Schezar Author Icon



*Reading* Erin's Fantasy Book of the Month

If you have a published fantasy novel you would like to see featured here, email me with the ISBN number and a brief hook, and I'll plug it here for you on my next issue.

ASIN: 0812555473
Product Type: Book
Amazon's Price: $ 29.99


Mirabar is a Guardian, a wielder of fire magic, whose flame-red hair and golden eyes have made her an outcast in Silerian society--for only demons have eyes and hair like hers. But when strange visions keep disturbing her, Mirabar begins to wonder if the Outlanders currently controlling her beloved Sileria are meant to be there forever. Could her visions mean what she thinks they mean? Is the mystical Firebringer on his way to make war on the foreigners?

The first in a three-series story and probably the best of the three, in my opinion. Robin Hood-esque with interesting elemental magic and well-written characters. Not a story for young readers.

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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ASIN: B004PICKDS
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Ask & Answer

From: larryp
Great editing tips Erin.
I am a firm believer in editing and rewriting. Even in my poems I seldom am happy with the first write.
Larry


From: Jay is studying Author IconMail Icon
Great newsletter, Erin! "Edit before posting" should serve as a lesson to us all. And the links were great!


From: SantaBee Author IconMail Icon
Great editing checklist. Thanks for tackling it in this newsletter!

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Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B01DSJSURY
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