LOL, there it is again.
We all have favorite words that we know we overuse when writing: descriptive phrases, dialogue tags, character actions -- and once we become aware of them, we put ourselves on a word diet. We vow not to use those words quite so often.
But first we have to be aware that we're doing it.
Well, while proofing the galleys for The Trouble with Demons, I attained awareness. (And believe me, it was nothing like nirvana.)
While writing, I work in Times New Roman, 12 point. It's comfy for me and I like it. But as a result, stuff that I should notice, I don't -- until the book is typeset. And then it's too late (and expensive) to change anything except the most glaring errors.
I won't tell you what that phrase is except that it's two words. I won't tell you because once TTWD comes out, I'm going to have a contest where you can tell me how many times that phrase appears in the book. And yes, there will be prizes to the first person to tell me the correct number.
As I was proofing the book, and laughing out loud because "dang, there it is again," I was reminded of an episode of Fraiser (I loved that show). Fraiser, Niles, and their dad were watching Antiques Roadshow, and every time one of the appraisers said the word "veneer" they all did a shot. The folks on Antiques Roadshow said "veneer" a lot, so the boys were well on their way to getting snockered. If you all did a shot every time you read these two words, you'd be snockered. Trust me.
I think a good way to avoid me ever doing this again, plus the added bonus of catching any other mistakes or just things I'd like to fix before I sent the manuscript to my editor, is to change the font from Times New Roman to something else, something that would make the manuscript look different to me. Because when it looks different, the things that need fixing jump out at me.
So I have a favor to ask you all. I've got so much stuff going on in my head, it's a wonder I can find my way out of the house in the morning. When I announce that "I've finished the book!" (and am too giddy to think straight) and that I'm about to do the final read through -- please remind me to change the font before I do it.
Hopefully my "phrase glut" snafu will serve as a shining example to all of you writers of what not to do. ; ) Other than that, in my opinion, this is the best book that I've written. It's also my longest at 370 pages. I think you all are going to love it.
Since tomorrow is New Year's Day, and then it's kind of a holiday weekend, I'll be back to blogging regularly on my normal schedule on Monday. I want to take the next few days to work out the plotting, shall we say "challenge" that I have with B&B.
And on Monday I'll be announcing a fun contest with a prize that I've never offered before. ; )
Happy New Year! -- Be festive, but be safe!
Lisa
But first we have to be aware that we're doing it.
Well, while proofing the galleys for The Trouble with Demons, I attained awareness. (And believe me, it was nothing like nirvana.)
While writing, I work in Times New Roman, 12 point. It's comfy for me and I like it. But as a result, stuff that I should notice, I don't -- until the book is typeset. And then it's too late (and expensive) to change anything except the most glaring errors.
I won't tell you what that phrase is except that it's two words. I won't tell you because once TTWD comes out, I'm going to have a contest where you can tell me how many times that phrase appears in the book. And yes, there will be prizes to the first person to tell me the correct number.
As I was proofing the book, and laughing out loud because "dang, there it is again," I was reminded of an episode of Fraiser (I loved that show). Fraiser, Niles, and their dad were watching Antiques Roadshow, and every time one of the appraisers said the word "veneer" they all did a shot. The folks on Antiques Roadshow said "veneer" a lot, so the boys were well on their way to getting snockered. If you all did a shot every time you read these two words, you'd be snockered. Trust me.
I think a good way to avoid me ever doing this again, plus the added bonus of catching any other mistakes or just things I'd like to fix before I sent the manuscript to my editor, is to change the font from Times New Roman to something else, something that would make the manuscript look different to me. Because when it looks different, the things that need fixing jump out at me.
So I have a favor to ask you all. I've got so much stuff going on in my head, it's a wonder I can find my way out of the house in the morning. When I announce that "I've finished the book!" (and am too giddy to think straight) and that I'm about to do the final read through -- please remind me to change the font before I do it.
Hopefully my "phrase glut" snafu will serve as a shining example to all of you writers of what not to do. ; ) Other than that, in my opinion, this is the best book that I've written. It's also my longest at 370 pages. I think you all are going to love it.
Since tomorrow is New Year's Day, and then it's kind of a holiday weekend, I'll be back to blogging regularly on my normal schedule on Monday. I want to take the next few days to work out the plotting, shall we say "challenge" that I have with B&B.
And on Monday I'll be announcing a fun contest with a prize that I've never offered before. ; )
Happy New Year! -- Be festive, but be safe!
Lisa
posted by Lisa Shearin at
7:55 AM
7 Comments:
Try either reading it aloud or printing it. I do both. When I'm done incorporating all my red marks, I add it to my Manuscript Stack. Which is getting pretty danged tall.
Thanks for the advice! I've tried both, but they didn't work for me. As a proofreader I'm very visual -- what's on the page doesn't look any different to me than what's on the screen. And when I read it out loud, I read what's supposed to be there, not what's actually there -- all because it's in the same font that I wrote it in. It has to look completely different for me to catch everything.
Happy New Year! you know the arial fonts are really different from times. that might be a good font to try and it's still easy to read so it won't get you confused.
Happy New Year to you too, Simone! I was thinking about Arial or maybe Helvetica. Thanks for the recommendation!
Depending on your word processor of choice, you can tell the program to highlight the phrase in question, or alternately to provide some kind of indicator (like a ding noise)...
Then you can 'adjust' at the time if you so choose.
Thanks, Jeff! I'll have to look into that. But I think I can safely say that I'll use that phrase VERY sparingly in the future. ; )
Happy New Year, Lisa!
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