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THE DURKSENARY

WHERE WORDS GO TO THINK [OUT LOUD]

30-Second Editor

30-Second Edit: The Two-Line Limit

Time limits for writersImage and text © 2019 Virginia Durksen  There’s a limit to how much readers can take. Here’s a quick self-editing technique that all readers will appreciate. A two-line limit. About 25 words per sentence.  Yes, you read that correctly, dear reader who is also a writer. About 25 words. Fewer if you can manage it.  When readers reach the third line of text and still don’t see a period coming up, they start to think perhaps there’s something else they … [Read more...] about 30-Second Edit: The Two-Line Limit

30-Second Edits: Refocus for readers

Tiny Tardis: A time travel device for writers Photo and text © 2019 Virginia Durksen Self-editing: flag and fix It takes a lifetime to become a writer. If you break the task into smaller steps, it’s much easier. That’s where 30 seconds of self-editing come in.  Try this self-editing technique for a week. Set your timer to 30 seconds.Check the first two or three words in every sentence. Don't read, just look. Do this as a series of quick glances across and down the page.Find and … [Read more...] about 30-Second Edits: Refocus for readers

The 30-Second Editor @ Work

An Edit with a View Photo and text © 2019 Virginia Durksen /  30 seconds of self-editing Do you have a minute to look this over? If you're the editor at work, you've heard this question before. It's complete nonsense! But that doesn't stop writers from asking—and editors from accepting the impossible assignment. This is the moment to teach those writers how to fish! Ask them to do a little self-editing: run the spell checker first and then do a few 30-second edits. These are quick … [Read more...] about The 30-Second Editor @ Work

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The Durksenary

The career that follows an undergraduate major in English and a Master of Arts degree in comparative literature is not always an obvious one. I opted out of pursuing an academic career, and fell into freelance editing.

I have been learning ever since.

Learning how readers read, how writers develop habits (good and bad), and how all of us use words in our professions. The language of lawyers and engineers and accountants and professors and editors continues to fascinate me. Very few professionals are aware that writing is also their chosen profession.

The Durksenary is where I go to capture what I learn from working with accidental writers, as their accidental editor and writing instructor.

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  • 30-Second Editor
  • Reading the Table @EDFM
  • Thinking out Loud
  • Writers and Others to Know
  • Writing at Work

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