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Author/editor Lee Warren


This will be our second hybrid meeting, one with a Zoom option for those who can’t attend in person.

With twenty-plus years in the publishing industry, editor and author Lee Warren shares his unique insights into what not to do when submitting a manuscript to an editor. Lee published traditionally before choosing to become an indie author. He has edited for publishers, newspapers and websites. In this workshop, you’ll glean information that will enhance your publishing knowledge and strengthen your work so your editor can focus more on your content to make it shine.
Lee Warren is a contemplative writer of devotional books, essay books, and Christian novels that inspire readers to appreciate the present moment and think about eternity. He has written 19 books and hundreds of articles for newspapers and magazines. As a contract editor for publishers, he has helped dozens of writers shape their work. In his free time, Lee enjoys sports, books, and coffee shops.

You can connect with Lee at:

Email: leewarrenjr@outlook.com

Website: www.leewarren.info

Twitter: www.twitter.com/leewarren

Facebook: www.facebook.com/leewarrenauthor

Are you interested in slowing down and living deeper? Subscribe to Lee’s weekly email newsletter. He’d love to connect with you there.

This month, please join us at:
Omaha Christian Center
4215 N. 92nd Avenue
Omaha, NE 68134

Important: Park in the north parking lot (lower lot) off of 92nd & Taylor. Follow the signs to the Wordsowers meeting room.
(From the north lot there are only three steps to traverse.)

Since our members live in various areas, we’ll not only continue the In-person/Zoom hybrid meetings, we’ll also rotate the local areas where we’ll gather.
Please join our private FB group if you would like to be a part of this meeting.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/261653995038722/

We meet the 4th Thursday of the month from 7:00-8:30 pm.

We welcome you to explore our Facebook page.

There are many fine points of grammar that you can spend time correcting. As you learn to catch those problems in your self-edits, there will be fewer issues in your manuscript.
To give you a boost in the right direction, here are 6 tips to keep in mind.
Use strong verbs:
He strolled through the forest.
He walked through the forest.
He walked slowly through the forest.
Which is better? The first example is best because it shows how he walked. Using adverbs(third example) can easily clutter up your writing. If you choose to use adverbs, use them sparingly and make sure you cannot accomplish your purpose without one.
Watch the passive verbs:
The dog was hit by a car.
The car hit the dog.
The first is an example of passive voice. The action was done to the subject. The second sentence is stronger because the subject does the action.
Don’t use the passive on accident. Only use it to accomplish a specific purpose. For example, in mysteries where you do not know who did the action, a passive would be appropriate.  
There are several usages of verbs that weaken your writing- make it feel passive- without being passive voice and you need to be on the lookout for these as well. Tracy Crump offers an excellent explanation on the subject.
Watch out for clichés.
Don’t say something that has been around the world several times. When you find a cliché in your writing, pause and come up with your own unique twist. Something fresh. In your own voice.
Check for redundant/overused words.
There are times when a word is used repetitively (on purpose) for effect or to drive home a point. Typically, the same word over and over gets old and can drive your reader crazy. Break out the thesaurus. Use the RIGHT word. It will give your story zing.
Check for incorrectly used words. Don’t trust your spell/grammar check on this one.
There. They’re. Or their. Your spell check will say all is well. But how does it come across to your readers if you say: there going to the park, they’re dog ate the rat, or their is a party tonight? The next tip will help you catch these tricky spots.
Read your manuscript aloud before you pass it on. Listen for wordiness. Misused words. Places where your tongue trips over itself. These are all places to go back and work on.

Resources

Find a good grammar reference-a must have for your writer’s library.
What tips and resources have you found helpful?
We are going to spend a few weeks talking about the trees inside the forest. The small parts that often feel tedious to the creative brain. But they are necessary. The rules you must understand before you go breaking them in the glorious exhibition of your style.
If you want your medicine to be a bit sweeter, join a critique group. The fellowship and encouragement you receive will make up for the toil and sweat you must go through. And what you learn in the process of editing others’ work will grow you toward your goal by leaps and bounds.
For starters, I am going to recommend several books I have found to be helpful.
  • Contains exercises
  • Applicable to both fiction and non-fiction
  • Covers 7 grammar points
  • Used throughout your manuscript
  • Short and fun
The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman
  • Contains exercises
  • Focused on fiction, but parts applicable to non-fiction as well
  • Focus on grammar, does include some on elements of story
  • Although applicable to entire manuscript, focuses on first few pages
  • From perspective of what an editor will see that may turn him off to your manuscript immediately
Self-Editing forFiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King
  • Contains exercises
  • Focuses on fiction
  • Elements of your story, not just grammar points
  • Easy to read and understand
The First Fifty Pages by Jeff Gerke
  • No exercises
  • Focuses on fiction
  • Covers elements of story
  • Great examples from the movies
  • Easy to read and enjoyable
All writers need to build a library of reference books. You will go back to them again and again. Consider purchasing one of these books or look around and find a different one that will suit your needs better. Do you already have a collection? If so, what is your favorite book covering some aspect of self-editing?