Tag: editing

Writing Tip: The Importance of Word CountWriting Tip: The Importance of Word Count

June 25, 2010June 25, 2010| Idrees PatelIdrees Patel| 11:30 PM

Today’s writing tip is about the importance of word count. Boring word count. How can it matter? Most people don’t even know what it is, and those that do, think it’s just an “aside”. It doesn’t matter.

Or does it?

Let’s get that question out of the way. Yes, word count matters. It is an aside, yes, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t important. The fact that most readers don’t know about your word count doesn’t say that they don’t care. Knowing and caring about something is different, of course. Some people might not know the technical term. Maybe they don’t even think of it. But if you don’t have a suitable word count, hurry. You’ve got to fix it up, and fast.

But first things first: what is a word count?

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How to Get Rid of Inconsistency and Silence Your Critics at the Same TimeHow to Get Rid of Inconsistency and Silence Your Critics at the Same Time

September 27, 2009September 27, 2009| Idrees PatelIdrees Patel| 5:34 PM

Update (11 months later): This post may contain some outdated advice. The main advice that is applicable to the average blogger is that you should have a post frequency. That’s all. As for the rest of the advice, follow with caution.

Inconsistency…

Why is it such a big deal in blogging and writing?

Anybody’s guess. It’s because in blogs, people expect you to have a regular posting schedule. They don’t want to be forced upon two posts on the same day, but they also don’t want to wait a whole month for a single post.

I’ll admit it.

I suffer from inconsistency too.
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Editing and Proof Reading – Busting the MythsEditing and Proof Reading – Busting the Myths

September 20, 2009September 20, 2009| Idrees PatelIdrees Patel| 7:45 PM

So you’ve written a novel. Oh, okay, let’s not use the word ‘novel’. Say anything: short story, essay, just any form of writing. You’ve written the first draft. You think it’s good. You think it’s great. You think it’s wonderful.

But it’s not ready to be distributed or shown to anyone else yet. Before that, there is what some writers call the ‘mammoth’ task of editing/rewriting. To make sure that everything is perfect. No contradictory information, no confusing sentences, no over-used words, no kid-like grammar, and the like. Similarly, checking for spelling mistakes (typos) or grammar mistakes (called by some as grammos — I personally don’t use that word!) is known as proof-reading.

Many writers hate the task of editing or proof-reading. Why?
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No Method? No Problem!No Method? No Problem!

August 5, 2009August 5, 2009| Idrees PatelIdrees Patel| 1:06 PM

[Note: The title of this post has been inspired from one writing book, No Plot? No Problem! I haven’t read it though.]

Let’s say you’re writing a first draft of a novel. The dreaded first draft. And of course you are writing it very slowly — unless you are an exceptional writer. Then you read it again… and scream “There’s no method in it! No organizing at all! What have I been doing? This isn’t worthy of my time.” And then you close the book snap shut and don’t work on it anymore. Sad.

Many great ‘novel’ ideas have never made it into paper because of this.
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