Nutmeg's Corner

Editing 101

April 2021 By Editor

Rough Day

I had a rough day today. Lauren went to work, and no matter how much prancing around I did, she still left. She keeps telling me someone has to bring home the bacon. Sad part is, Lightning loves bacon, not me. The geriatric cat slept all day. I tried to get her to chase me. But nope. The old girl keeps saying, “You try to run harry scary when you’re nineteen and tell me how that goes.”

Then Lauren comes home, minus the bacon. Ha ha Lightning. Then I’m ordered off the printer. Well, how am I to edit her work unless I read it right hot off the press? Seriously, how’s a gal to get anything done?

Work Arrangement

Lauren is writing away and has the nerve to shoo me off the desk. Did she forget we have a working arrangement? She writes, I edit. That’s that way it works. Well fine then, I’ll sit on my pillow grab some z’s. Better yet, I’ll dig out my Editing book 101 and brush up on my skills.

Editing 101

Let’s see…

1. Give the reader credit. Yeah, won’t do to dump a pile of information on the page that the readers already know.

2. Staging. Steer clear. Lauren loves her staging. She keeps on describing every little movement and detail her character does. I have to fix all of it and just get to the action.

3. Cut needless words. I love that one. If you remove a section and it doesn’t change anything, get rid of it.

4. Cut the word “it”. Now there’s a tough one. Sometimes you add to your word count, but it deepens the scene. Hard to cut them out of dialog though. So, I’ll let Lauren keep a few of those.

Well, the article is printing, time for me to get to work. And I’m glad Lauren forgot the bacon. I’d rather be paid in treats any day.

Later Peeps

Nutmeg

My Debut!

October 2020 By Editor

Rescued at Last

I was born in an abandoned barn outside of London, Ontario. A great group of people rescued me and thirty-nine of my friends and family! They put me up for adoption, and in walks Lauren. “Well…” I said to myself… “She’s the one!” So as soon as they opened my cage, I jumped on her shoulder and snuggled right in. Lauren had to take me home… she just had to. I rubbed my head against hers and purred as loud as I could. I put on my best behavior.

She Sealed the Deal

Well before you know it, Lauren signed the papers, and they sealed the deal. I was a bit worried I chose the wrong human when she stuffed me in a tiny cat carrier. The ride was so long. I didn’t want to be locked up, I wanted to be on my new human’s lap. But twenty minutes later, she carried me into her home.

My New BKF

To my pleasant surprise, she had another cat! I was so excited, a new BKF (Best Kitty Friend)! Lightning was her name. But oh my, I didn’t know we cats could grow so old. She was seventeen!

I Was Only Ten Weeks Old

I was a kid of ten weeks old back then. I’ve spent the last two years having a blast, doing things we kitties love doing. I enjoy a good tussle with Lightning. The Old Girl (that’s what Lauren calls her), has a nasty habit of pinning me down and washing my ears! Does she think me still some kid who can’t bathe herself yet? Well, I supposed that’s what old folks of all kinds do. Mother the young folk.

I’m Going to be Famous

Well, that’s a wrap as a new kid on the block and my debut as a blog contributor. I’ll have my human edit this and get it out to print. I’ll have to make sure she leaves my unique voice intact. Wouldn’t do to sound like some old fuddy duddy. I’m going to be famous! Check in with you later!

Nutmeg

I’m Lauren’s New Accountability Partner

October 2020 By Editor

Guest Post

Nutmeg asked me to write a guest post, introducing her as the newest addition to my writing team. She hovers over my shoulder and critiques my work. When my writing is slow, she stretches and yawns, letting me know I’m boring my reader. “Add more conflict!” She knows my style of writing, to be sure. So, I add more conflict. Then she dances around my desktop, quite happy with her own advice. I’m not sure what I would do without her expertise.

She’s Always Watching

There’s nothing like having someone watch every word you type. Even now, she sits on the chair, eyeing me. Questioning my word choice and sentence structure. But she helps me keep the plot moving forward, so I think I’ll keep her around for a while.

Show Verses Tell Advice

In the photo above, she pointed out my age-old battle with Show verses Tell. “Don’t tell me she was sad. What does your character’s body language convey about their depression? What does emotion do to your characters mind or heart?”

Of course, when she’s right, she’s right. So what do I do? I go back and rewrite.