EDITING 101: 40 – Editing Myths…

Posted on by Chris The Story Reading Ape

Editing Myths

I’m sure you’ve heard of these “rules” that need to be applied to your manuscript. Today we’re going to debunk them as myths!

  1. Never start a sentence with a conjunction (and, but, or), however, or because.

  2. Never end a sentence with a preposition.

  3. Passive voice is always wrong.

  4. You use “a” before words that start with consonants and “an” before words that start with vowels.

  5. Don’t use who when the rules call for whom.

  6. Don’t split an infinitive verb with an adverb.

  7. The only way to write a possessive is to add ’s to the word.

  8. Data and media are plural nouns and always take a plural verb.

  1. Because the English language is fluid and adjustable, there is no reason not to start a sentence with these words. And while you wouldn’t want to do it repeatedly, occasionally is fine.

  1. If reworking the sentence is going to mangle it, or make it so twistingly wordy that it’s ridiculous, then go ahead and end it with a preposition. Word will tell you it’s wrong; ignore it.

  1. Excessive use of the passive voice can be boring and less than exciting, but it’s not wrong and can be used judiciously.

  1. This one gets people all the time, because some words start with a vowel but use “a” before them and some constant words take “an.” It all depends on how the word is pronounced. If the sound is that of a vowel, use “an.” If the sound is that of a constant, use “a.” For example, a hotel, but an honorable man.

  1. In narrative or formal writing, use “whom.” But in dialogue, use “who” unless your character is very stuffy or exact. People don’t typically use “whom” in their speech.

  1. “To boldly go where no one has gone before.” ’Nuff said. Don’t mess with Gene Roddenberry (or Captain Picard).

  1. The newest trend is to add ’s to everything to make a possessive regardless of the ending of the word, but the old style of simply adding an apostrophe to words that end in s is fine. So Kansas’ team or Kansas’s team—both are correct. Just be sure you’ve used one style consistently in your MS. Don’t mix the styles!

  1. The English language is always evolving and data and media are two examples of words that have crossed over into being singular at times. In formal writing, yes, technically they are plural nouns and should take a plural verb. But in more casual usage, including fiction writing and speech, they are now used as singular nouns.

Next week we’ll discuss ‘Using the Back of your Book Effectively’

Susan

To see the index and catch up with missed episodes of this series – CLICK HERE

58 thoughts on “EDITING 101: 40 – Editing Myths…”

  9. Very informative, as usual. Thanks as always to you, Susan and Chris. I still have a problem starting a sentence with the word, “and.” I got dinged so much with red correction marks from my English teacher in high school! Oh, and also ending with a preposition. 🙂

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  10. Reblogged this on TINA FRISCO and commented:
    Susan Uttendorfsky brings us Part 40 of her Editing 101 series on The Story Reading Ape’s blog. She debunks several editing myths, every last one of which has derailed my little grey cells at times. But I now feel I have permission to merrily toss them out the window, in keeping with Susan’s guidelines. I’m such a stickler for correct grammar that I sometimes feel like a train wreck after a long day of writing. I expect Susan’s post will reduce your writing stress level as much as it has mine 🙂

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