The Ing is the Thing

So... I admit I miss things when I'm editing. I'd like to say it's because my stories engage my mind so thoroughly (which is of course absolutely true!) But more likely my brain happily overlooks areas which will cause further work. Lazy Brain.

And so I resort to my usual method: trick myself.

This time I'm trying the "find" function (ctrl+f in wordprocessing) to identify passive verb constructions.  Just type in your search word and select "highlight all."  Just scan the page for highlights and make a decision to keep or slash.

I started with "ing." 
So much friendlier than the
dreaded red pen.
(image by Colin Brough via sxc.hu)
This search returned "cringed" and "boring" - hey, those ings are just fine. 
Then I spotted "was running." Uh-oh! Delete. Replace with ran or jogged or sprinted or whatever the situation calls for. (Not ran fast...no, no I'm still on an adverb diet)

You can also search for: was, had, has, is, are, am.  (Note to apostrophacators - those who like contractions- you'll need to search for 'm, 's, 're, and 'd  too.)

Some of those results might not identify passive constructions, but just weak verbs.  "Is" can be replaced with something better, especially in the economy-of-words-critical picture book form. 

I found this method easy and rewarding- less like revising, and more like playing a find the hidden pictures game in Highlights!

Does anyone else have any cheats and tricks to find revision needs?






Comments

  1. I usuallly use the find function when I changed a characters name to something else. Using it to find those passive words is an excellent idea. Thanks!

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    1. Great suggestion Romelle! Just don't try to do find and replace when you are changing POV. You'll end up with me's where your I's should be.

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  2. Thanks for the tip, Lauri! I like using the find function to find repetitive words. I know I have some pet terms and phrases that I love to use.

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    1. Oh yes. We all have our pets. Plus you are in novel form, so I imagine it would be easy to repeat phrases. It's crazy though when I've repeated a word in a 500 word picture book! Seriously, like I don't have enough words in Websters to choose from??!!

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  3. After I do a search for "was" or "Ing" I paste my document into Wordle and see if there are words that I have used too frequently!

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    1. I love that you have a process. I'm a very processy kind of person, so it's strange that I don't have a "I think I'm finished with this manuscript, let me run my final checks" kind of process. Hmm. I think I'm having the ah-ha that I haven't felt like I've finished a story yet. Hmm. Maybe I'm entering a new phase of this journey....

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  4. Oh, the "was ___ing" was a bad habit of mine.

    Fortunately, I have since trained myself to purge them by the second draft.

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    1. Ugh, I've been sharing so many bad habits lately, you guys probably think I'm a real slob at the keyboard! Admitting you have a problem is the first step...

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  5. Oh, how I wished I had a process, or a trick or an ANYTHING! I just depend on my own eyes and let's just say they are about as unreliable as sunglasses at night. I need to try the ctrl+f thing! Thanks Laurie!!!!

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    1. I've been wearing those same sunglasses! I am all over creating a "last call checklist."

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  6. Thanks so much for this tip! I didn't know about it and I can't wait to try it. :) SOOOOOO helpful!
    ~Jess

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    1. It works! It lets you be neutral, which I have a hard time being when I'm reading.

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  7. Thanks for the heads-up! I usually pester... er, ask politely to my close friends in the blogging place (and maybe real-life friends) to proof-read my story. :P

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    1. Okay, seriously, you start doing this little hint, and by the time you are a freshman, your English teacher is going to be asking you for advice.

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  8. I love find and replace but never thought to use it for passive words. Thanks for the tip!

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    1. Yes, my manuscripts have been dieting lately after this new find!

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  9. Nice suggestions for revision, Lauri! Thanks!

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