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"'The Frugal Editor: Do-It-Yourself Editing Secrets for Authors' is a complete course of instruction under one cover." ~ Jim Cox Editor-in-Chief Midwest Book Review


Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Book Fair Director Lists Annoying Wordiness Devils

Welcome to Valerie Allen, author and director of several book fairs in Florida. I love this little list she has compiled. Simple little wordiness constructions can sneak into our writing so easily! Be sure to check her little bio below with possibilities the growth of your career in mind.

Wasted Words
by
Valerie Allen


Pleonasmus: the use of more words than is necessary to express an idea.

Extra words serve no purpose and slow your writing. Some common examples:

I can stop at this point in time.
I can stop now.

She sat down in the chair.
She sat in the chair.

He nodded his head up and down.
He nodded.

She shrugged her shoulders.
She shrugged.

He shook his head from side to side.
He shook his head.

What he said was that it was not his fault.
He said it was not his fault.


Here are some very special, extra annoying, so excessive, tiny little writing devils to always look out for at all times in your prose writing:

  • Brand new
  • Every single time
  • Hefty large
  • Huge giant
  • Irregardless
  • Killed dead
  • Sleepy tired
  • Slightly impossible
  • Stupid moron
  • Teensy weensy
  • Up on the tabletop
  • Very unique

MORE ABOUT TODAY'S GUEST BLOGGER

Valerie Allen, author, playwright, and speaker, writes fiction, non-fiction, short stories, plays, and children's books. She is a popular speaker at writer's conferences, libraries, and community events using her book: Write, Publish, Sell! Quick, Easy, Inexpensive Ideas for the Marketing Challenged 2nd Edition.
She is a co-founder of Authors for Authors, which supports new and experienced authors with book fairs, book launches, book displays, and writing seminars. Authors from across the US  have had their books displayed at two Florida book fairs held in March and November sponsored by AuthorsforAuthors.com
Valerie Allen can be contacted via FB, Twitter, Google+ and at VAllenWriter@gmail.com or ValerieAllenWriter.com
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson edits, consults, and speaks on issues of writing and publishing. Find her at http://howtodoitfrugally.com. Find the second edition of her multi award-winning The Frugal Editor: Do-it-yourself editing secrets for authors: From your query letter to final manuscript to the marketing of your bestseller. (HowToDoItFrugally Series of Books for Writers). Learn more about her other authors' aids at www.howtodoitfrugally.com/writers_books.htm , where writers find lists and other helps including , Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips on the Resources for Writers page. She blogs on all things publishing (not just editing!) at her SharingingwithWriters blog. She tweets writers' resources at www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo . Please tweet this post to your followers. We all need a little help with editing. (-:

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