Summary of Techniques

First Technique
Get your point or story across using the shortest and strongest words and sentences. Eliminate words that stop
action and flow. This includes sentences with started or began plus an ing word, sentences that begin with ing
words, and the overuse of infinitive phrases.

Second Technique
Eliminate there and it when used with forms of to be and functioning as subjects. Sometimes, you will need to
add a clearer subject. Occasionally, you will find an instance where another subject will not work. In that case, keep
the expletive. Also, avoid had ____ that or just that ___ phrases.

Third Technique
Write in active voice whenever possible. When you use passive voice, it gives a feel of the distant past, and the
subject becomes the object of the action rather than the subject doing the action. There are two exceptions for
using passive voice: If you are unsure who or what is the active voice, or you want the active object to be more
prominent. Be on the lookout for the word by as it often points to a passive voice phrase.

Fourth Technique
When editing internal dialogue, let the reader go back in time with the characters memory and then experience the
event as present. To do this, leave the first had in the dialogue. Then remove most or all of the other uses of had
in that memory.

Fifth Technique
Remove all or most of your dialogue tags. Let your reader experience the dialogue for themselves. Most dialogue
should be done in less than four lines. If it is longer, it most likely has some information that is not vital and can be
removed. If you still feel it is all necessary, consider adding some action between the characters to break up the
long dialogue.

Sixth Technique
Give phrases stronger meanings by turning nouns into action verbs. Some clues for potential changes are the
words make, take, place, put, arrive, is ___ ___ of, is ___ ___ to, a ___ ___ of, an ___ ___ of, has ___ ___ to, the
___ ___ of. Also look at phrases starting with the word in, and words that end in tion.
If a verb phrase has 2 or more words, see if you can shorten it. The biggest offending phrase is "be able to." This
includes would be able to, would have been able to, and will be able to. Consider replacing those phrases with can
or could.

Seventh Technique
Eliminate double nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs when both words mean the same thing.

Eighth Technique
Eliminate words that end in ly to avoid redundancy, interrupting the reader, and dictating the characters reaction
or tone. If you must add more, use action or emotion. Dont intrude in your readers experience by telling them the
obvious. Eliminate redundant modifiers that mean the same thing as the word we are trying to enhance. Also,
remove phrases that are modifying things that dont need an explanation.

Ninth Technique
Phrases such as she felt, she saw, he wondered, and he thought change the perspective from first person to third
person. You do not want to tell the reader how to think or feel. Instead, write in first person and let them experience
the character on their own.
Tenth Technique
Avoid using clichs. They are considered dull and unimaginative.

Eleventh Technique
Create great hooks. Use questions or sentences that entice the reader to continue reading.

Twelfth Technique
Use impartial reviewers for usable feedback prior to hiring your editor. Use the feedback evaluation questionnaire.