Category: write

Editing Applications For Writers (and Editors)

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My last article, Even Editors Need Editors, mentioned that I recommend some programs to my writers so they can self-edit. I received questions regarding these applications and wanted to share my thoughts on them. For details on each type of software, please click through to their website. Obviously, your word processor has a built-in spelling and grammar checker. That is helpful, but you will discover you need additional tools as you develop your writing skills.

Grammarly

If you’re a new writer, this is a good app to use. It’s free, but the paid version offers extra components which may be helpful. The free version offers spelling, punctuation, and grammar checks. The premium subscription gives you access to a plagiarism check (helpful if you’re writing a school paper), tone of voice, word choice, fluency, and more. Grammarly has add-ins for Google Docs and Microsoft Word, which means you don’t have to go to your browser to use it.

Pro: It’s easy to use and the premium subscription is fairly affordable.

Con: Sometimes it suggests things that make little sense or are incorrect.

WordCounter.net

This is strictly an online application. The main reason I recommend WordCounter.net to writers is for its Keyword Density feature. This handy box on the sidebar will show you the words used the most in a document. You can get rid of filler words or vary your word choice by utilizing the Keyword Density list. This will help keep your readers’ interest until the end.

Pro: It’s free and the Keyword Density report is useful.

Con: If you click the Grammar & Spell Check button, it will take you to Grammarly. So really, the Keyword Density report is the key characteristic of this site.

Hemingway

The Hemingway Editor is better for readability and sentence structure than grammar and spelling. It checks for readability, adverb use, passive voice, and hard-to-read sentences. It is available online for free, or you can pay a one-time fee of $20.00 and get a desktop app. What sets this app apart from the rest is that it checks HTML formatting for building web pages. You can use the “write” screen to have a blank space without editing highlights to get your words down. When you’re ready to edit, switch to the editing screen, and Hemingway will highlight the areas which need work.

Pro: It’s inexpensive and is extremely useful to craft concise prose.

Con: It doesn’t have any editing traits that most new writers prefer, such as grammar and spelling.

Slick Write

For a free program, Slick Write packs a punch! Like most writing software, it checks grammar, spelling, and punctuation. However, it also looks for vocabulary variety, flow, sentence structure, readability report, and style. This application is my top pick for those who can’t (or don’t want to) pay for a service but still need a detailed review. You can choose what you want Slick Write to check, and it will adjust the reports accordingly.

Pro: It’s a free software with comprehensive editing.

Con: It’s browser based, so if you prefer to work offline or do not have internet access, you won’t be able to use it.

ProWritingAid

ProWritingAid is a powerhouse editor, and I do not advise inexperienced writers to use it. PWA has so many features and reports that you may find yourself confused and frustrated. Spelling and grammar? Check. Readability report? Yep. But it also has overused words, cliche check, alliteration, pronoun usage, sticky sentences, transition review, consistency and pacing checks, dialogue tag review, and much, much more. PWA will almost take the place of a human editor if you know how to use it. It has a free version, but, like most programs, the paid option gives you access to additional properties. It has several integrations, so you can use it on the web, with Scrivener or your favorite word processor.

Pro: It is incredibly thorough.

Con: It can be confusing to use.

Remember, none of these applications will take the place of a human editor. A computer follows its programming, which limits it. While technology is amazing, only a human can fully adapt to individual compositions’ voice, style, and content. So why use a program at all? Because it will save you money if you hire a professional editor. And, if you choose not to, using at least one of these programs will ensure that your work is (mostly) error-free.

And, yes, before I submitted this article to my editor, I used Hemingway, WordCounter.net, Grammarly, and ProWritingAid. I guarantee she found other errors or edits that I missed.

Even Editors Need Editors

Alena Orrison1 Comment

I have been an editor of small newsletters’ content since 2009, and in 2015, I expanded my knowledge and skill set. I have edited articles of all types, short stories, novel manuscripts, and poetry. My goal for obtaining a college degree in English was to become a professional editor. 

But even I need an editor. 

Because of my background and experience, my writing is clean and free from major errors. But that doesn’t mean I can publish it without having someone else review it first. All that means is my editor doesn’t have to work as hard. 

I frequently go back to previously published blog posts and find minor errors I missed. Why? Because I’m human. Because I stare at a piece for hours before publishing, and my brain fills in words, or my eyes skip missing punctuation. Even the fancy computer programs miss things. They don’t have a human’s perception of dialogue or nuances. 

Often, I recommend various programs to my writers as a way for them to self-edit. But I always remind them that the applications are not perfect, and they need to use their best judgment. Last week, one of my writers said she used Hemingway, and it marked several sentences as “hard to read” due to length. So she broke those sentences up in the middle with a period which created sentence fragments. The program was happy. Was it correct? Nope.

When I am editing my own articles, I use several programs. Sometimes, two of those programs will give conflicting recommendations. “Put a comma here.” So I do. Then I take to the next piece of software. “Remove this comma.” But that was the one I just added. This is where an editor comes in. 

Editors don’t just look at spelling and commas. They examine flow, sentence structure, clarity, word choice, and more. Editors should know the rules about writing numbers, time, and money. They can spot the misuse of dialogue tags at first glance. Editors also ensure consistency throughout the piece. 

Writing and reading are in my blood. I am passionate about both, and becoming an editor seemed a natural course of action. When I read for pleasure, I try to turn my “editor brain” off to enjoy the book, but sometimes that is extremely difficult if there are a lot of mistakes.

I can tell within a few pages if the book was professionally edited or not. Usually, I can ignore most of the errors. However, sometimes I get so irritated that a writer would send sub-par work out into the world, I stop reading and write my review. Those reviews always include some version of “needs editing.” I wish I could also send them a link to my website offering my services. Sadly, I’ve caught typos in newspaper articles from The New York Times. Obviously, it was a rush job, but an editor should have reviewed it before publishing.

Some of my friends think I want to edit these strangers’ books because I want the money or enjoy picking apart the writing. The truth is I want to help writers become better writers. I have many friends in the industry, and we always push each other to learn and do more. Why? Because seeing another author succeed is exciting. We all know how it feels to strive for creativity, ingenuity, and publication. When one of us wins, we all celebrate. 

Being a writer and an editor, I know my articles and stories will improve after my editor gets her eyes on them. She will always find something I missed or see a way to polish a phrase. There are times I have an area I am struggling with, and she will have a brilliant idea to fix it. Despite popular belief, writing for publication is not a solitary activity. Authors need editors; therefore, editors who are also authors need editors. 

Editor Of The Month

Alena OrrisonLeave a comment

I was very pleased and surprised to get the notification that I was Coffee House Writers editor of the month for December. I really enjoy the community of CHW, and highly recommend them to new writers or those who want to get their work out into the world. Coffee House Writers’ goal is to help writers grow and learn in writing. I have explored new writing types, learned more about the publishing world, and made friends that I am sure I will have for life. While it is fun to add this to my list of credentials, I am more excited to know that I am helping other writers master their craft.

Anthology Release!

Alena OrrisonLeave a comment

I have been a part of Coffee House Writers for almost 3 years now. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long! I am a writer and editor for them, and really love it.

This year, CHW has been working on publishing an anthology which they have split into two volumes. I am excited to announce that I have two pieces in each book. And I am SUPER PROUD of the writers on my team who will also have their works in these anthologies. I work with them weekly on their writing skills, and have seen them grow so much in the last year.

It’s getting soooo close to the release date! I have butterflies in my stomach from nerves and excitement. These will make great gifts for people who love to read!


✨☕️PRE-ORDER NOW!! ☕️✨
Coffee House Writers is releasing two anthologies with twenty-eight contributing writers in December! With over one hundred pieces total, there is something for everyone in these collections.


Paperbacks of both will be available internationally on the two release days as well!


Volume 1: Poetry & Nonfiction releases December 8.

Pre-order here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N2Y4ZHD

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55877282-coffee-house-writers-2020-anthology

Volume 2: Fiction releases December 15.

Pre-order here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N3C92P7

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55877286-coffee-house-writers-2020-anthology

Books Are Here To Stay

Alena OrrisonLeave a comment

The following is an actual conversation with my son.

“Wow, Regal Cinemas is closed until further notice,” my husband announced as he scrolled through his Facebook feed. 

“Why?” Our almost sixteen-year-old son, Tim, asked.

“Because people aren’t going to the movies due to COVID,” my husband answered. 

“Movies aren’t being made due to COVID,” I said. “It’s impossible to make a movie and social distance at the same time.”

“That sucks,” Tim muttered. 

“What if the movies we have now are the only movies we will ever have?” I mused. 

“No, don’t say that!” 

My son was horrified, but it got me thinking. 

Movies are a recent invention. The first one was created in 1878 when a racehorse owner wanted to know if all four of a horse’s hooves left the ground while galloping. The film, titled The Horse In Motion, is only 3 seconds in length, but it paved the way for motion pictures. Over time, technology increased in all areas and the results are the movies we know and love today. 

Books, however, have been around for several millennia. It is common knowledge that the ancient Egyptians used papyrus scrolls to record their history. Other nations adopted this method and improved upon it, and around 600 AD, people began adding illustrations to parchment pages. These pages were then sewn together and placed inside a leather binding to protect them. 

The first printing press was invented in 1454 by Johannes Gutenberg and, like everything else, technology advancements improved it. We now have practically unlimited access to any book we want through digital means; however, the printed book is still going strong. The publishing industry has shifted to favor e-books since they cost less to produce. There is some speculation that printed books will become obsolete, but printed books aren’t disappearing.

Humans have told stories to each other since they first began to talk. Stories were used to tell the location of a good hunting area and pass down the tribe’s history. This is also how myths and legends originated. Books were not originally used for entertainment, but to disseminate information and history. Once again, time proved to be the changing factor, and now we read books for entertainment as well as to gain knowledge. 

What does all of this have to do with the movies? It’s simple: Books can be created while social distancing is observed. Writers are, for the most part, solitary creatures. We like to get together to give and receive feedback about our work, but the actual writing is done solo. Editing, proofreading, and cover creation can all happen via email. Publishing, especially e-publishing, can be done without close contact with other humans. 

I feel that this is hopeful for humanity. Creativity, imagination, and innovation are still prevalent forces in our world. History has shown us that, no matter what is thrown at us, we are resilient. Even if, in the unlikely event, that the internet disappears, books will still be created.

So much has been taken from us this year, and there have been numerous changes. I think, for good or ill, most of these changes are here to stay. I am optimistic that movies will return, but if they don’t, that’s okay. We have books.

Vocabulary Variances

Alena OrrisonLeave a comment

As an avid reader, I come across a lot of new and self-published authors. I actually prefer to read books from new authors, as I am one of them. In fact, I am on the last of a trilogy that has a great storyline, interesting and relatable characters, and fantastic descriptions. I’ve read all three books in the last week, and each of these books has the problem we’re going to discuss today. I’ve only kept reading them because everything else is so well done.

Something that I’ve noticed that newer authors have in common is their lack of imagination when it comes to vocabulary. A favorite facial expression is “smirked.” I don’t want to get into which books I’ve been reading lately (but you can find out on Goodreads), and I’m not here to bash the authors. The goal here is to help other writers be aware of what their word choices do to their writing. The book I’m currently reading is 699 pages, and the words “smirk” or “smirked” appears 32 times. I’m not a mathematician, but just typing that makes it seem a low occurrence over the course of the book. However, it has appeared enough to spur this blog post. It’s noticeable, sometimes irritating, but mostly boring. Why can’t the characters snigger, leer, simper, grin, look coy, giggle, chortle, titter, laugh, snicker, or beam?

Scientists claim there are 21 different facial expressions, although I think there’s more. Those 21 facial expressions can be described in a myriad of ways. Use them all. Make your characters relatable and real by employing a variety of emotions, expressions, gestures, and habits. Make your story interesting and engaging by showing off your power over words.

Some steps to ensure you are maximizing your vocabulary usage:

  1. Know your audience. Really, this is the first step for any writing. But don’t use jargon specific to Italy if your audience is from Africa, at least not without explaining it first. Don’t use respiration instead of breathe if your audience is 5-7 year olds. Choose your words wisely.
  2. Read through your story a few times, and make note of any words that appear frequently. Make a list or highlight them. Do not rely on your memory.
  3. Use the find feature on your program and search for those words. It will usually give you a number indicating how many instances appear in the document.
  4. Determine if the word should be changed for definition or just frequency. As we all know, some words have multiple meanings, so a dog barked up a tree, the commander barked an order, and I barked my shins on the table. Too many barked in the story? Maybe.
  5. Use your judgement to determine if the word needs to be changed. If you notice that your character only grins and never scowls or looks bored, make some adjustments.
  6. Ask a friend or editor (like me) to read it through just for recurring words/phrases that might get tedious.
  7. Invest in a good thesaurus. Yes, the online ones are useful but sometimes having an actual book in your hands is easier as you don’t have to go from your writing program to the internet and potentially get sidetracked from the job at hand.

My last piece of advice is more for the readers. If you read a book that could use some more creative phrasing, leave a helpful review on Amazon or Goodreads. Most authors or their agents read the reviews from time to time. Try to keep it constructive, and include some positive aspects as well as the negative. If you feel particularly strongly about the book, you can even reach out to the author through their webpage, Amazon, or Goodreads via the contact form.

Above all, keep working and writing!

NaNoWriMo 2016 is here!

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I’ve been really focused on my school and family life the last few months. I also traveled a bit, and enjoyed spending time with some lovely women I call Sisters. It was refreshing to be able to chat with women who not only relate to my spirituality, but also support me in the best way – by holding space. Now that I’m back from that beautiful trip, and my children’s extra-curricular sports have all ended until next season, I feel (mostly) ready insane to take on National Novel Writing Month this year.

I just started week 2 of my 8 week term in college, and this time I’m going full time. I am trying to push my Young Living Distributor business to new heights. I am still working at the chiropractic clinic 15-25 hours a week, depending on patient flow. And I can’t just ignore my family to write, so there’s that joyful obligation too.

Am I totally crazy? Probably. But I know myself well enough to know I need a push. I need a deadline and real tangible way to track my progress. Mostly I need to get back in the habit of writing daily for me, instead of writing school discussion posts and essays. If I don’t write every day, I won’t win. And I love to win! It’s all motivation disguised as stress disguised as pleasure.

If you’ve jumped on the writing train for NaNoWriMo, I’d love to have you as a writing buddy! Lets keep each other motivated and writing, despite all the busy-ness of life.

The Future of Art

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This is a little short story that I submitted to this year’s Idaho Writers League contest. It started as a quick write about a dystopian society where you must be productive to live. My original story was about Adam trying to escape the country. This one is about his sister. Let me know what you think! 

Looking out over the city, Amber compared what she was seeing with the photos on her Vu-pad. The hilltop was covered with lush, green grass while strategically placed benches and trees allowed one to pause and enjoy the beauty of Newtown. Amber sat on one such bench, her drawing kit next to her. She wanted to sketch how the city looked two hundred years ago and then overlay it with the current view.

Two hundred years ago, Newtown was called Houston. It was a vast and sprawling city, with towering buildings and hundreds of miles of paved roads that overlapped each other in a tangled mess. In the photograph, Amber could see vehicles crawling on the highways and smog hanging in the air. She was taught in school that this picture was taken right before the Great Purge when the pollution and garbage were at their worst. That was when the government changed the regulations and required that everything uses renewable energy and have little to no waste products. The Great Purge took place over a period of twenty years, and the structure of the government also changed. Instead of having a president, senate, and congress, the Commonwealth now consisted of the President, the Bureau, and the Councilors.

Sighing, Amber brought her attention back to the scenery and pulled out a sketch pad. The paper alone cost almost an entire paycheck, but she felt it was worth it. With quick, sure strokes of the pencil, Amber began to draw the city in front of her. Several minutes went by, and she found the in-between space where nothing existed but her pencil moving over the paper. The sudden sharp tone of her comm-unit startled her, and she put the drawing aside to look at the message that scrolled across on the screen.

“Ms. Amber Jaydine Austin: You are hereby summoned to the Court of Society where you will explain your chosen profession and how it benefits the city. Please present yourself in one hour.”

Continue reading “The Future of Art” →

Friendships in Writing

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Originally published August 25, 2015, by me on my other blog, which is in the middle of a transition.

A few days ago, I was getting ready to leave for 10 days to see some friends I have in Texas. This is my 3rd annual trip, and I’m really looking forward to it. I get to see my bestest best friend for a few days, then spend some time reconnecting and learning with my Sisters of the Sisterhood of Avalon. Over the last week, I’ve been thinking about the friendships I have. This past year has seen some of my friendships wax and wane, and one go out all together.

We all have different levels of friendships and some of those friends may feel they are at a different level with you than you are with them. Wait, did that make sense? Let me say it this way: I may feel one way about a relationship, while that person may feel that the relationship is something else.

I’m not going to analyze my various friendships for you. I know where everyone stands with me, and I usually try to make sure they know where they stand with me too. Sometimes that doesn’t happen, usually because the other person is thick headed and I’m trying really hard not to hurt their feelings.

For me, the different levels of friendships include the Best Friend, the Good Friend, the Old Friend, the Casual Friend, the Group Friend and the Acquaintance. I don’t want to go too in depth about what each category is, but they are listed in order from “most likely to tell a secret to” to the least. Some of these have sub-levels, but that’s not important for right now.

When you’re writing – whether fiction or non-fiction – you need to keep in mind the level of friendship someone has with the person they’re interacting with. For example, a character (let’s call her Mary) is talking to her best friend, Beth. Mary tells Beth all about her date including the details of the dinner and the goodnight kiss (maybe even a bit too much detail?). Later on, when Mary is talking to her casual friend Amy, a lot of the details are left out and the date goes from amazing and romantic over chicken parmesan to pretty nice and how was your day.

Don’t allow your characters to give up too many secrets or details to friends who aren’t at the top of their list. At the same time, allow all relationships to change. Maybe a casual friend becomes a good friend when they’re in a car accident together. They now have a bond that might not exist in other friendships. Flip that around, and a good friend who betrays your character suddenly becomes a casual friend or even an enemy. There are different levels of enemies too, but that’s a discussion for a different day.

What do you think? Did I leave out any important friendship levels?