Pre-edit tips

So here we go – remember – these Pre-Edit Tips are aimed at anyone – even those who have been writing for years – we all slip up occasionally – so I am not saying you need this, but you may find it helpful.
Dialogue:
Avoid using too many dialogue tags:

Many times, you can do without dialogue tags and just have the action. You most definitely want to avoid jarring tags such as: opined, declared, exclaimed, commented, etc. Some acceptable tags are said, asked, whispered, muttered, murmured, but those should be used as sparingly as possible. Example: Instead of “I can’t believe he did that,” she said, shaking her head. Do this: “I can’t believe he did that.” She shook her head.
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The name/pronoun should go before the tag. Example: Instead of: “He’ll be here any second,” said Thor. Do this: “He’ll be here any second,” Thor said.
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A character’s dialogue should all be in the same paragraph. Do not start a new paragraph if the same character is the next to speak. A character’s dialogue should be in the same paragraph with their action. Example:
David nodded.
“I’ll go with you.”
If David is nodding and speaking, should be: David nodded. “I’ll go with you.”

 
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Check your punctuation, especially in dialogue. With non-action tags, such as ‘said’ ‘asked’, etc, there should be a comma and lower case pronoun: “Let’s go out tonight and celebrate,” she said.
When using action tags such as: She chuckled. He laughed, you should use a period and capital pronouns. Example: “You used to be wild,” he chuckled. (wrong). Should be: “You used to be wild.” He chuckled.
If your dialogue ends with a tag, such as said, asked, exclaimed, etc, then it is considered a continuation of the sentence, so use a comma and lower case pronoun.
If your dialogue has an action tag or internal thought, gesture, etc, use a period and a capital pronoun.
Other punctuation:
An em-dash (–) is used for an abrupt stop, such as an interruption. An ellipses (…) is used for trailing off.
Exclamation points: Too many exclamation points mark your writing as amateurish and are jarring. If you use the correct wording, exclamation points are seldom needed, especially in narrative. And, please, don’t ever do this: “What do you think you’re doing?!” 😀
Dangling modifiers:
Avoid dangling modifiers.
Example: Climbing into the car, his phone rang. This sounds like his phone was climbing into the car.
Another example: Reaching for the top shelf, the chair slid, and she fell on her rump. This sounds like the chair was reaching for the top shelf.
Comma splices:
This is where you have two independent clauses separated by only a comma. These should either be broken up into two sentences or a coordinating conjunction should be used. A semicolon is acceptable as well.
Examples: Betty headed out for her morning walk, Buttons yapped excitedly at her feet.
Instead do: Betty headed out for her morning walk, and Buttons yapped excitedly at her feet.
Or Betty headed out for her morning walk; Buttons yapped excitedly at her feet.
Or Betty headed out for her morning walk. Buttons yapped excitedly at her feet.
Another example of a comma splice, the kind that can sneak up on you:
It’s fine, don’t worry about it
Comma splices are also where you use an independent clause and a dependent clause with a comma for separation:
• Gina got an apple from the fridge, headed to the living room.
• He ran across the parking lot, slid into his car.
• Margo entered her office, shut the door.
This sentence structure is incorrect. Each of these need an ‘and’ instead of a comma.
Eliminate unnecessary words/phrases:
Very, slightly, a bit, a little, almost, about, really, rather, reached out are seldom needed. They weaken the writing and don’t add anything. It’s okay occasionally but just consider if the writing can stand without them and you’ll see they aren’t usually needed. An example: (Miguel reached out and shook Justin’s hand. Instead do: Miguel shook Justin’s hand)
Avoid filter words:
Started, began, felt, thought, wondered, heard, saw.
Instead of: She felt a trickle of fear move down her spine. Do this: A trickle of fear moved down her spine.
Instead of: She watched him walk across the street. Do: He walked across the street.
Instead of: I can’t deal with this anymore, she thought. Just do: I can’t deal with this anymore. (We’ll know she ‘thought’ it)
Avoid telling/explaining things that are said in dialogue.
Examples: “I’m so sorry. I hate that this happened to you,” she consoled. (Her words consoled, so no need to tell us)
“Dina left early. I wonder why…” she trailed off. (No need to tell us she trailed off. That’s what ellipses are for.
He sighed heavily. He didn’t want to go. “I don’t want to go,” he said. (If you say it in dialogue, you don’t need it in narrative).
“You’d better be gone by the time I get home,” she demanded. (Her words demand…no need to tell us she demanded).
Fragments:
Examples: He stepped into the room. Locked the door. (Sometimes fragments are fine for emphasis/emotion. But you don’t want to use them frequently or when they don’t work). An example of when they work: Anger seethed inside her. Later, she would regret this. But not right now.
Avoid ly words as much as possible:
Instead of: He walked slowly. Try: He strolled. Instead of: Lane said loudly. Try: Lane shouted.
Avoid was ing words whenever possible
Example: Instead of: He was standing at the front of the room. Try: He stood at the front of the room.
Chapters:
Check your chapter lengths. Chapters should be somewhat consistent in length. You don’t want a two page chapter and a twenty page chapter. They should all be approximately the same length and your manuscript should not have too many. A good length for a chapter is approximately 2000 to 3000 words.
Passive and Expletive Construction:
It’s best not to begin sentences with words/phrases such as ‘When’ ‘It was’ (passive construction) or ‘There were’ (expletive construction)
Examples:
When the gun went off, she dove to the ground.
More active: The gun went off, and she dove to the ground.
There were several people lined up to buy tickets.
More active: Several people were lined up to buy tickets.
It was the expression in his eyes that gave him away.
More active: The expression in his eyes gave him away.
Miscellaneous:
Do not use all caps for emphasis, etc. It marks the writing as amateurish and is distracting.
Better to use italics. Example: “I will NEVER trust you again.” Instead do: “I will never trust you again.”