Seeing the flaws
I am fortunate to have a brother who is not only an amazing musician and composer, but a professional proofreader. He kindly took the time this week to go over my juvenile fiction first draft, and it was an eye-opening experience.
About eighteen years ago he went through my very first novel several times. Thinking back to that, I am grateful that he put up with it. He even said yesterday, when going over this new book, that his job was a lot easier this time, as I’ve become a much better writer! (thank goodness for that) Back then, he had a lot more to do than now, but even this time he had plenty to run by me.
As a writer, it’s hard to get enough distance from my work to really see the flaws. Well, that’s not exactly true — I can certainly see flaws, but it’s the persistent, niggling ones that go right by me. I have my blind spots, and things that I seem to write about without realizing I’ve already used that phrase or word or idea multiple times. That’s why it’s great to have someone go over the draft with a fine-toothed comb and yank out the nasty stuff. Examples:
My brother said it really is too bad my protagonist has so many intestinal troubles. Seems he’s always feeling sick, having a tightening in his stomach, or being nauseated. Poor kid. I guess it’s my stock way of having him deal with stress, and I need to either change that or let him off the physical symptom hook altogether.
Certain words creep in, such as, “scrabbled.” Now, “scrabbled” is a great work — it just shouldn’t be used more than once. Same for “insinuated,” “pelted,” and “undergrowth.” All fun words. But too individual to be used multiple times.
Apparently my folks like to grab each other’s arms, too. They’re always “putting a hand on his arm,” or “grabbing her elbow.” Really, they should respect each other’s space a bit more, and leave each other’s limbs alone.
My brother is also great at noticing words that need another look to make sure of spelling or capitalization. Such as, does “x-ray” need to be capitalized? How about “rottweiler?” And how, exactly, does one spell Burbur carpet? I haven’t looked them up yet, but I will. Seeing how I’m not paying him, except with extreme gratefulness, I’m doing that work myself.
He pointed out a few time elements, as well. When I say “a few days ago,” was it really that long? Wasn’t it just yesterday when that happened? Or does it just seem like it?
Thank goodness for people who are willing to take time out of their schedules to help. I hope all of you writers have someone — even if you don’t have family access to a proofreading pro — that can go over your manuscripts to help avoid embarrassing gaffes.
What are some things you find yourself repeating in your books? Words you use to excess?
Or maybe you get it perfect the first time around. : )
