The third step in my editing process is handed over to software. I can’t remember the name of it at the moment, but I know there are many out there with differing levels of what they actually do. The one I use, I like because after its short scan of your book, it comes up with information… and suggestions.
What information does it show? Lots. It’ll tell you how many words you have in your book, how many per chapter, how many per sentence and paragraph. It will also do the simple spelling/grammar check that Word does… but it gives you the words you use the most (If I don’t see my character’s names at the top of this list, I’ve done something majorly wrong). But my favorite… is the most used adjectives list, the misused phrases list, the expletives list, and the cliche list.
The adjectives list lets you know which sentences you need to focus on so that you stop sounding redundant in your story. We all have favorite phrases and go to colloquialisms that we use while writing, and this tool really shows that to you.
The misused phrases list will give you the words and phrases you may be using all wrong. It not only tells you the common ones you may have tossed in inadvertently, but those obscure ones that you may have had no idea about.
While I’m not afraid of throwing a few dozen bad words into my book, there comes a time where the word, ****, used 72 times becomes unnecessary It’s nice to see how much swearing you’re actually doing at times.
Last, but not least, is the cliches list. We all use them, but sometimes, they just aren’t necessary. This will help you pick out the most used and you can either delete it, or fix it… the choice is yours.
And that is my favorite aspect of the program. It doesn’t just arbitrarily change things for you, it just points them out… clears its throat and nudges a foot toward the pile of poop on the carpet. You can let it know that yes, it is poop… and thank it for pointing it out, or you can say, “No, I wanted that there.” and go on with your life.
Tomorrow, we break out the fine tools and work on all those details that are going to make our story start working for us…
Dude, tell me the name of this program.