August 4, 2025
Tell us about a writing lesson you learned the hard way.
I released my first book in 2014.
Of course, I had sent it through several online editors and a critique group before I published it. But it didn’t take long for a reader to find and point out the first error. Later, I heard about another one. And another. A reviewer said my primary female character winked too much. And they were right.
Luckily, it was fixable. I found enough instances of the word near the end of paragraphs to switch them out without reformatting an entire page or chapter. But it was a lesson I needed. But it also led me to pay more attention to overused words.
But editing is more than grammar and spelling.
There’s pacing and story flow and continuity. (Does the main character start with blue eyes and end with brown ones?) Don’t forget eliminating cliched phrases. {She released a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding.) Then there’s using the same uncommon word more that once, too close together. Let’s use the word metaphorical as an example. Used once, it’s interesting. Twice, it’s a little less gripping. Used three times close together, it loses its power.
As you can see, editing is hard. There’s always more to learn. And, no matter how many eyes look at the manuscript, an error can slip through.
What lessons have our other editors learned? Find out by following the links below.
As always, until next time, please stay safe.
August 4, 2025
Tell us about a writing lesson you learned the hard way.
Typos can hide, in plain sight. They are the cockroach who survives the nuclear blast, only to pop up, grinning, when the first paying customer opens the book.
I almost feel they deserve to stay if they made it through the editing process!
A good one! I still search for my list of culprits every time.
All great lessons! It doesn’t matter how many times you read, scan, scrutinize, something will slip through. That’s why we need our editing tools (be they digital, human, etc).