Quick and easy life-story fixes from a writing coach
Often on morning beach walks I see primary students surfing for school sport.
First their coaches begin with a quick lesson on the sand and then everyone hits the water.
Similarly, a writing and editing life-story coach gets ‘in the water’ to help improve your confidence and skills.
And they are usually keeping an eye on three things …
Related article – Edit: The ultimate guide to polishing your writing
Writing and editing: Start at the beginning
A key element writing and editing coaches pay attention to is how stories or chapters begin.
Importantly these should be captivating or intriguing to entice readers to carry on.
So no need to begin with unnecessary background details or padding.
Start with the action then add subsequent supportive sentences.
Related article – First draft: Don’t start writing a first draft before
Respect the tone
A good writing and editing coach will nurture a writer’s tone or voice.
And one way to do this is by encouraging conversational writing.
For example, writing how you would speak to a friend using everyday words.
So just as our character and personality are evident to others when we speak, so too should they shine through in our writing.
Related article – How to write a good story: The flashback, parts of a story and reflective writing
Easy to understand
Another thing a good writing and editing coach will examine is how easy and enjoyable a story is to read.
For instance, sentences should be short with one or two ideas max.
Therefore break up sentences that are too flowery, long or complex.
Also, other tips and tricks for easy-to-read copy include:
- Checking tenses are consistent
- Killing off cliches
- Double-checking spelling and grammar
- Replacing jargon or long words with simple words
Related article – Ask Nicola Q&A: Revising and editing autobiography stories
Related article – Ask Nicola Q&A: How to copy edit + CPR for revising and editing your own work
Final say: Writing and editing
A good writing and editing coach can be a lifesaver during a life-story project.
In short, they will keep you on track and help improve your work.
For instance: by encouraging interesting story beginnings, fostering tone and offering ideas for easy-to-read copy.
And importantly, just like a surf coach, they will help you get back on your feet when you get knocked down during the creative process.
Happy writing!
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First published February 28, 2019: This article has been updated and improved.