I wrote my first full-length manuscript ten years ago, and had been writing seriously for years before that. Over that time, I’ve received all kinds of writing advice. Some solicited, some not. Some good, some…not so good. In the early years, I soaked it up like a sponge, and applied what I could, learning as I went. I even learned from the advice that wasn’t that great, realizing that there was always room to grow.
One piece of advice, I’d heard more than once, but didn’t think it really made much difference in polishing my prose. Mostly because I really didn’t enjoy taking the time to apply this boring, tedious advice. Until I discovered just how wrong I was.
Listen to Your Writing
The first time an editor told me to read through my manuscript again, I wasn’t too thrilled. Read it? Hadn’t I already done that like a bajillion times as I prepared it? But, as a stickler for the rules and wanting to get it just right, I did. Feeling a bit foolish as I read aloud in my room while getting odd looks from the dog and the family.
I caught some mistakes, but not that much. Although I realized that I got bored of listening to myself. I’d start to read and my voice would trail off and I’d be mumbling, or “reading” it in my head. As someone who’s easily distracted, this was a long, tedious process.
No…I said Listen
So, when I was advised, once again, to read through another manuscript I may have sighed. I may have considered arguing that it wasn’t really worth the time it took. Then I noticed how some authors discussed buying software so that the computer could read the manuscript. Hmmm…
I looked around a little and then discovered that my Mac had the ability to read my writing back to me. Granted, there are limits to the voice you can choose if you aren’t buying a program, but it suited my needs. It was worth a shot. I was tired of listening to myself talk.
Game Changing
Wow.
That advice I hated to follow about reading my manuscript. Spot on. Unbelievable. Sure, listening to a monotonous voice mumble through my manuscript isn’t all that exciting, but the things I caught amazed me. This was after reviewing the manuscript so, so many times.
How did I miss these typos, wrong words, and awkward sentences? You know, all those things that throw you out of the story when you’re reading a book?
The sentences sounded so much different when I listened to the words. #MFRW #writing-advice Share on X
I’ve applied this advice to all my manuscripts now, and my freelance articles, and I share this, and other writing advice with other authors. Several have had the same reaction as I did when they listened to their writing. Initially resisting, and then realizing how beneficial this review of their writing is for tightening the story and making it extra awesome.
It’s a Blog Hop
If you’re like me, you’ll want to hop around to the other blogs to soak up all their advice. Because with writing you never stop learning.
Good or bad advice, it can help you improve your craft.
You’re so right about reading it to ourselves, versus having the computer read the book back. It is amazing how much gets caught up. good post.
I can imagine that having a third party read the book aloud would be extremely revealing! Good suggestion there.
I do the same! I read aloud my finished draft, but since I found the mac’s ability to read, I use it to check long sections as I write and review them. It does help me see things that I pass up on a silent read, even if it isn’t as natural as I’d like.