A Suggestion To Help Edit Your Writing

Shhhh!

One of the things I told the people attending my workshop on Personal Essays this past weekend must have surprised some of them. I noted several whose eyes opened wider when I suggested that they read their work aloud. To themselves! Others in the group nodded their heads. It was pretty easy to see who did read aloud and those who did not.

Why stand alone in a room and read the words y\ou've written? Because it is a good way to catch errors that you don't see when you sit at your computer, or on your sofa with a pen and pad in your hands, and read what you've just written. Don't believe me? Then give it a try. 

You'll soon see what sentences are far too long or where you may have repeated the same word two or more times. When you stumble over sections, you'll know they need to be made more clear. You may find spots that need added punctuation. Does in mean you'll miss all this if you only proofread silently? No, but I think you'll be surprised at the other little things you do catch when reading aloud.

One person in the workshop added to my advice. She suggested recording your oral reading and then listen to it. It triggered a memory of a friend who worked full time but was writing a novel, too. She read a chapter aloud and recorded it. Then, on her way home from work, she listened to that recording. By the time she reached home, she was ready to jot down notes and knew where she wanted to revise and re-edit. 

Other times that I have suggested the reading your own work aloud exercise, a few have responded that they'd feel silly doing that. What if someone in the family walked by whatever room they were in and saw them 'talking to themselves?' Shouldn't be a problem. If they ask what in the heck you're doing, tell them! If you think you might feel intimidated, go somewhere in your home where you can shut the door and read aloud comfortably. If you stand in front of the tv to do this exercise, you might get the reaction of the little girl in today's photo. Better to go off on your own. 

We all want to make our final draft as good as it can be. Reading your work aloud to yourself can help that happen.