Go Ahead — Write This Story: Edit yourself

[mount_oregano]

The final version of your story or other work should be perfect. No typos, no errors. Tough to do, as I can testify. But a few simple techniques will help you catch a lot of mistakes.

First, set aside your piece for as long as you can so that you can return to it with detachment.

Second, print it out and edit it on paper, or if that’s not possible (or in addition), change the type font so that it looks different on the screen.

Finally, read it out loud (whispering is okay), which will help you catch missing words and other typos, and will help you hear things that aren’t quite working.

If you need something to write, here are a few ideas:

● This is a military SF story in which the efficacy of petitionary prayer is proven, and the work of military chaplains is changed forever.

● This is a suburban fantasy about a cute, just-hatched dragon that imprints on the first large creature it sees.

● This is a story about a teacher at an education mall who creates classes to lure in students with their cash vouchers without regard to the content of the lessons.

— Sue Burke