#editortips for 09.03.12

@smoulderingsea: The bulk of your query should be the plot blurb. If you spend more time talking marketing elements, rethink your query. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: Poor writing in a query is often an indicator of the writing in the story. Treat your query with as much care as your story. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: If your story is rejected for too many mistakes, never reply "that's your f***ing job, to fix it." #editortips #thishappened #whyIgetstabby

@smoulderingsea: There's no such thing as a sub that doesn't need editing. Often we're deciding if we love it enough to invest that deeply. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: Please don't include personal details of your sex life in your query. To quote Mal: "I CAN'T KNOW THAT!" #editortips #firefly

@smoulderingsea: You could have the best story in the world, but if I see more than 5 sloppy mistakes on page one...9 out of 10, it's a no. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: Sometimes we need brief reminders of key character details, but don't get too repetitive or repeat things. #editortips #seewhatIdid

@smoulderingsea: The phrase is "different from," not "different than." One thing is different from another. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: Incorrect grammar and word usage can be acceptable in character dialogue...as long as it's clear that's their style of speaking. #editortips

@smoulderingsea: If you ignore all your little tricks, excuses, gimmicks, and just sit down and write, you'll be surprised how much you get done. #editortips

About #editortips:
#editortips is a daily rash of tweets from an only partially crazy editor, chock full of random chocolatey morsels about writing, editing, and querying vaguely disguised as helpful pointers and/or really bad humor. I tweet as @smoulderingsea, and try to post with some consistency every weekday at 6PM CST. Weekends optional, depending on if I’m spending yet another Saturday night editing because my social life consists of Netflix and trying to accurately sing the opening lyrics to "Circle of Life."