James Piper, Author

Friday, September 23, 2011 ... we'll you can reach a limit to editing but ... S ome thoughts on editing. 1. There is a direct correlation between success as a writer and time spent editing. Editing here means rewrites, cuts and copyediting. This mammoth job takes on a life of its own and requires more time than drafting the outline and writing the first draft. 2. When in doubt, cut. 3. When in doubt, look it up. 4. Give yourself space between each go-through. You need to clear you mind and come at the material with a fresh look. 5. Use a speech-to-text application to give yourself a different view on your work. Kindle. Final Draft (A script writing program). 6. The same can be said for changing the font and font size of your material. Typically we stick to the same font. By changing it drastically, it tricks the mind and you’ll see your work in a different way. 7. Create an e-book file of your work and read it with your e-reader. 8. Know your trou...

Tuesday, September 20, 2011 ... sometimes google gets it right and then they go south ... R ecently I was editing a novel and came across, “It’s been a while.” I stopped and wondered: should it be two words or one? Satisfied it was correct, I continued my edits, but sometimes I have to stop and check with some authority. But how to check? Pull out a book, right? Now I’ve read any number of books on language, grammar, and style. Each day I’ll read a chunk and store it away in my head, somewhere, I hope, in the non-corrupted sectors. Over time, my polluted mind is either certain on a particular issue or completely fuzzy. Fuzzy seems more prevalent. I love these books, but they don’t work as reference material for me. Even if I remembered what book dealt with a certain issue, I’d have to find the book, then search the pages to find the entry at which point I’d discover it wasn’t quite how I remembered it. Time for the internet. If your not familiar with this site: Co...