The Joys of Editing

I continue to tread along the editing path, now accompanied by an insightful companion… better described as “Getting the Words Right” by Theodore Cheney *. I read a few chapters, I consider how the recommendations might be put to immediate use in my current story, I read a few more chapters, and so it goes.

Page 165 of “Getting the Words Right” contains the following statement… “If your verb is a form of to be (is, am, was, were, are, will be, etc.), try to eliminate it.”

Let’s see, at last count, my story contained 64,229 words. The to be verbs; was, were, am, is, are, be, had, and has represent 3006 of them.

Eliminate them all? Here goes…

Before

She had thought herself to be following in love with the gentleman.

After

Thoughts of falling in love with the gentleman often gratified her romantic mind.

Before

I could not in good conscience willingly stand by and allow you to be taken advantage of by this man, knowing what I do of what he is capable.

After

Knowing what I do of his past, I could not in good conscience willingly stand by and let him take advantage of you.

Before

Mrs. Bingley, I would be honoured if you and Mrs. Calbry agreed to be my guests on the morrow.

After

Mrs. Bingley, will you and Mrs. Calbry honour me as guests in my home on the morrow.

While this is a long laborious process, I confess to having a bit of fun.  8 to be verbs down and only 2998 to go. We’ll see.

*“Getting the Words Right” by Theodore Cheney was a great find, not to mention timely. I picked up my Kindle edition on Amazon.com for free! Amazon's offer might not last forever.