Internet Tip of the day: read your manuscripts aloud.
When I came across this, I groaned. Oh no, isn't it enough I go over my drafts time after time?
I tried it recently. Oh my God. Things that you think look good on paper sound much different to your ear.
This was codified by Elmore Leonard in his writing article: if it sounds like it's written, re-write it.
I do that every time I finish a story, and I have stopped many a weird constructed sentence along the way.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I am a fellow march martian! Great job!