My final stage of editing is to go through what I call my “kill list,” a collection of my worst writing habits and the quirks that I try to edit out of the final draft.
A few people have previously asked to see my kill list, and I demurred because it is a collection of personal mistakes. However, I’ve reconsidered; for what it’s worth, I present the list here at it presently stands.
These are the most common errors in my own writing, at least that I’m aware of. Removing these from Rag & Muffin will be my final act upon the manuscript before it leaves my possession for good.
- Overuse of LEAPT
- Overuse of JUMPED
- Comma before BUT eliminated in independent clauses except in cases of extreme constrast
- BECAUSE and CUZ: No comma before except for clarity
- THAT vs WHICH: Former restrictive, latter not
- SINCE: Comma after main clause if it introduces reason rather than temporal information (non-restrictive)
- AS: Usually no comma after main clause unless explaining a situation
- Excess instances of AND and BUT at beginning of sentences
- Excessive use of APPARENTLY
- LAY, LAYING, and LAID (make sure used correctly)
- No comma before AS IF
- EACH OTHER vs. ONE ANOTHER (two characters vs. more than two)
- VERY, A LITTLE, A BIT (overuse)
- Double check that LY words before adjectives are adverbs
- SUCH AS: comma on nonrestrictive, no comma on restrictive
- Comma before TOO only when a pause is wanted or there is an abrupt shift
- Eliminate EVEN THOUGH
- Use ALTHOUGH at beginning of sentences and THOUGH otherwise
