Writers Checklist

NOTE:Your Writers Checklist in not set in any particular order and may be executed in any combination of order.

Here are some basics to start:

• Spell check and grammar check: You may spell it correctly but have the wrong word.
• Check submission guidelines.
• Address your submission to a person, not just anybody at the company.
• Have someone else read through your MS to catch silly mistakes, even if they aren't a writer.
• Pray over your manuscript, ask God's will for it.
• Make sure the person you send your MS to is ok with you sending simultaneous submissions. If not, respect that otherwise make note of it.
• keep a list of who you sent what to, the date you sent it, what the submission included.

1. Do I have excessive description in my paragraph(s)?



If you have several adjectives before a noun or if you explain too much, the reader will feel like you are talking down to them and will shut your book. The point? Give your reader credit!



Example:

John stood up on his feet, then he walked to the counter to pick up the phone. He held it to his ear before saying, "Hello?"

NOTE:

Everyone knows that when you stand, it's up and on your feet. If John went to answer the phone after standing, it is implied he will have to walk to the phone. Everyone has answered a phone so we know the mechanics of it and therefore understand that it will go to his ear.

After:

John stood to answer the phone. "Hello?"

You know exactly how John got to the phone and what he did to answer it.

How about this:
John answered the phone. "Hello?"Nothing more needs to be said about it.



2. Do I have excessive adverbs in my paragraph?


mostly words ending in -ly.

Example:

Howard certainly had an affinity with obnoxiously loud noises, which completely drove our slightly frail nerves to the breaking point!

After:

Howard's affinity for loud, obnoxious noises, brought our nerves to the breaking point!

Of course there are other ways to say it, as well.

How about:
We hated Howard's loud noises.



3. Am I using weak adverbs instead of strong verbs?

Example: The spider moved slowly across the floor.
After: The spider crept across the floor.

Before: The juice leaked out from the lemon, onto the table.
After: The lemon juice oozed onto the table

Before: Janice jumped quickly into his arms.
After: Janice lept into his arms.

Etc.


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