The Stats
Remember the tasks that I set for myself last night (search for stupid words, search for passive sentences, read the whole stinkin‘ ms aloud)? I’ve managed to get two of three done. And I have to admit, the process was very enlightening.
Here’s what I found in my nearly 63,000 word manuscript:
Here’s what I found in my nearly 63,000 word manuscript:
- 39 passive sentences which have been actified (I know it’s not a real word, but it was better than ‘actioned-up.’)
- 87 times where the word ‘just’ could be removed.
- 112 times where a sentence read clearly without the word ‘that’.
- 2 grins that were replaced by smirks.
- 1 shrug that was replaced by slung (i.e. “He slung the bag over his shoulder.”)
I was very pleased that I didn’t overuse the words ‘it’ or ‘like.’ Yay me!
In my search, I also found three paragraphs that could be moved (usually one paragraph up or down) to make the whole section a little more clear.
Now I’m off to read to myself.
29 Comments
Witless Exposition
Great way to split up revising. I’m hoping to be on that track in a few weeks and will have to keep this in mind (I’ve never revised a novel before, just short stories). The reading aloud is a great tip, that’s how I notice most of my goofs.
Trisha Leaver
Sounds like you got a lot accomplished last night. Congrats.
Cynthia
It’s amazing how when you rad aloud the stumbles you make. Most of the time it just takes one word to fix. I’ll be at the total revising part hopfully in about a month. Yay, the light at the end of the tunnel.
Carol Riggs
Hiya, buddy crusader! I’m making the rounds today and checking out your blog. My checks in my own novels include the use of the words: but, just, still, and even.
Nice to meet you, and Happy Friday! 🙂
Artzicarol Ramblings
Trisha
I’ve used the word ‘like’ heaps, but mostly in my dialogue 😀
like…dude. hehe
I like your stats! Gotta do something similar to this myself. I think I will consult a wordle.
raisingmarshmallows
Fellow crusader here! I’m always shocked to see how I overuse the word that. It’s such a bad habit. Now following!
Nikki
Catherine Ensley
Hi fellow Crusader, just stopped by to say hi and to follow you. Interesting stats. I overuse “really,” and “even.”
Rebecca Bradley
That sounds like a huge task, you must be thrilled with those stats. Hard work, great results!
alberta ross
dropped by to say hi – enjoyed the stats must try it myself – reading aloud helps I know
Margo Benson
Another crusader dropping by! Enjoyed your post.
Marieke
Good luck with the reading out loud! It is *so* helpful! 🙂
Nice to meet you fellow Crusader!
Lauri
“Just” is one word I have to periodically search and destroy too.
Hi from a fellow crusader and new follower.
projectfraeya
Sounds like you got a lot done, go you 🙂
Hello fellow Crusader!
Tony Benson
Actified – I like that. Interesting stats.
Greetings from a fellow crusader.
William Kendall
“Now” is the word I have to carpetbomb when it’ll come time to revise.
Zan Marie
I don’t relish doing this with my ms, but then I have to finish it first. ; ) I’m a crusader making the rounds. Good to see your site.
Regina
I think your process is great and that you are making great strides as you do it. I wish I could force myself to do this a little more for myself. Fellow crusader saying Hello!
Gina Blechman
hmm, I have to do that sometime soon. It’s always so much fun. One of my friends recently told me that I used “rather” “rather a lot” in my manuscript. I’m afraid of how many passive sentences I have. oh god…
<3 Gina Blechman (fellow crusader)
Ciara
Hi, fellow crusader. I’m a follower now. 🙂
Heather Hellmann
Congrats on everything you accomplished last night!
laurajmoss
Hello, fellow crusader! I saw in your bio that you also have an addiction to grammar correction. I have a serious problem — I even own bookmark pens so I can correct books as I read them. Needless to say, people hate borrowing books from me. 😉
Pingback:
Pingback:
Pingback:
Pingback:
Pingback:
Pingback:
Pingback:
Pingback: