What do you do after you have edited your manuscript by hand dozens of times\u2014after you have corrected every blatant error\u2014after you have read, re-read and re-re-read each and every line? I call on the Find and Replace function. Why? What does it do? How do you use it? This function can help you locate and eliminate inconsistencies. <\/p>\n
\u2022\tMaybe you started out using Janet as your main character\u2019s name. Then you decide she is MaryJane. If you\u2019re like most authors, you have left at least one or two instances of \u201cJanet\u201d somewhere in your manuscript. (I often find at least two in the manuscripts I edit for clients.) Using the Find and Replace feature, you may even find a few places where you have typed Mary Jane, instead of MaryJane. <\/p>\n
\u2022\tUse this function to find out if you have duplicated a phrase, point or annecdote in your manuscript. <\/p>\n
\u2022\tIt\u2019s also useful when you want to check on continuity, overuse of clich\u00e9s or pet words\/phrases, such as, \u201cfor example,\u201d \u201cof course,\u201d \u201cclearly,\u201d \u201chopefully,\u201d etc.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tUse the Find and Replace to make sure you have used capitalization correctly and consistently. You may decide to capitalize certain terms, but you simply missed capitalizing some of them while working on your project. The Find and Replace feature will help you to locate these problems.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tYou can also use it to remove the extra space after all of the periods, question marks, etc., in your manuscript. Just \u201ctype\u201d two spaces in the \u201cfind\u201d box and one space in the \u201creplace\u201d box. Hit \u201creplace all.\u201d <\/p>\n
When I am checking on capitalization and spelling, I don\u2019t rely on the Find and Replace feature. I simply click \u201cfind\u201d and then I make the change manually (or not). This way I can make sure that the change I am making is accurate. As you begin to work with your Find and Replace function, you\u2019ll discover all of the magnificent things it can do to help you with the enormous task of editing your manuscript.<\/p>\n
For additional self-editing tips, read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book<\/strong><\/em>. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/rightway.html<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What do you do after you have edited your manuscript by hand dozens of times\u2014after you have corrected every blatant error\u2014after you have read, re-read and re-re-read each and every line? I call on the Find and Replace function. Why? What does it do? How do you use it? This function can help you locate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[10],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t