Knowledge Base
Find Answers to Your Self-Publishing Questions: Search Our Knowledge Base and Master the Terminology
Starting
Introduction To Childrens Book Publishing
Creating The Ideal Writing Environment For Childrens Book Authors
The Importance Of Crafting An Effective Book Summary
Brainstorming And Conceptualizing Ideas For Your Childrens Book
Planning
How To Plan And Choose The Right Genre For Your Book
How To Plan Your Story Using Flow
How To Develop Engaging Characters For Your Book
How To Plan The Plot And Key Conflict Of Your Story
Ideal Word Count For Illustrated Books Based On Age And Book Type
How To Define The Time Setting For Your Story
How To Write An Impressive Author Bio For Your Book
Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company
How To Write A Captivating Book Blurb For Childrens Books
How To Plan The Ending Or Resolution Of Your Story
Setting Your Title And Author Name Before Applying For Copyright
How To Plan Where Your Story Begins
How To Conduct A Competitive Analysis For Your Book
How To Enter The Author Name For Your Book
How To Plan Distribution Options For Your Selfpublished Book
Understanding The Differences Between Fiction And Nonfiction
How To Plan Your Narrative Pointofview Pov
How To Plan The Plot Climax Or High Point Of Your Story
How To Plan The Theme Of Your Book
How To Choose The Right Book Type For Your Story
Typography And Text Design In Illustrated Books Best Practices
Understanding Book Types Formats And Sizes In Childrens Publishing
Structuring Your Childrens Book Plot Climax And Falling Action
Your Childrens Book Tone Theme And Point Of View
How To Define The Place And Setting For Your Story
Writing
Crafting A Compelling Plot In Childrens Books
How To Add Tags To Your Manuscript In Made Live
How To Plan Page Turns With Spread Breaks In Made Live
The Milestone Of Completing Your First Draft
Overcoming Writers Block In Childrens Book
How To Selfedit Dialogue In Your Book
How To Plan The Language And Tone For Your Book
Effective Techniques For Childrens Books
Registrations
How To Set Up And Modify Your Copyright Information In Made Live
How To Secure An Isbn For Your Book A Global Guide
How To Enter Your Isbn In The Section
How To Officially File For Copyright Protection As An Author
Designing
How To Check Your Storyboard And Design For Continuity
Revising Your Books Design And Layout For Optimal Flow
How To Add Back Matter To Your Illustrated Book
Choosing The Right Fonts For Your Book
How To Create A Title Page For Your Illustrated Book
How To Design The Back Cover Of Your Book
How To Set Up And Select Color Choices For Your Book In Made Live
How To Delete Extra Spreads To Avoid Blank Pages In Your Book
How To Add Your Barcode To The Back Cover
How To Check The Visual Appeal Of Your Book For The Target Audience
How To Modify Text Blocks In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Import Final Illustrations For Your Illustrated Book
How To Transfer Your Manuscript To The Storyboard
How To Create Effective Pacing In Your Illustrated Book
How To Use Visual Storytelling In Your Illustrated Book
Basics Of Book Illustration Style And Color In Childrens Books
Creating A Physical Book Dummy For Your Illustrated Book
How To Generate Or Import Placeholder Images In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Design A Book Cover For Your Book
How To Insert Copyright Information Into The Storyboard
Adding A Dedication Or Acknowledgements To Your Book
Prioritizing Accessibility In Childrens Book Design
Selfediting Your Book Layout Fitting The Story To The Format
How To Find And Hire A Professional Illustrator For Your Book
Choosing The Right Illustration Style For Your Childrens Book
Editing
How To Edit With A Final Read Aloud Before Sending To An Editor
How To Selfedit And Proofread For Grammar Punctuation And Spelling
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Illustrations
How To Selfedit For Filler Words
How To Review The Cover Design For Your Illustrated Book
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Clarity
How To Selfedit For Flow By Reading Your Manuscript Aloud
How To Selfedit For Punctuation In Dialogue
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Redundancy
Self Tips And Techniques For Aspiring Authors
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Vocabulary
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Consistency
How To Provide Clear Illustration Notes For Your Illustrator
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Story Structure
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Theme
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Pacing
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Your Audience
Steps To Finalizing Your Manuscript For Childrens Book Publication
How To Find And Hire A Professional Editor For Your Illustrated Book
How To Get Feedback On Your Manuscript
Publishing
Choosing The Perfect Title For Your Childrens Book
Preparing For International Distribution Language Translations And Multiple Formats
Going Global Preparing Your Childrens Book For International Distribution
Understanding Isbn Pcn And Pcip For Childrens Book
Navigating Legal Aspects Of Copyright And Infringement In Childrens Book
Navigating Contracts And Rights For Childrens Books
Navigating Self Vs Traditional In Childrens Books
Marketing
Building An Author Brand And Online Presence
Navigating Book Reviews And Publicity For Childrens Books
Connecting With Key Players Engaging With Schools Libraries And Bookstores
Mastering Book Launches And Promotional Events For Childrens Books
Maximizing Your Reach Utilizing Social Media And Online Platforms For Childrens Books
Mastering Effective Strategies For Childrens Books
Community
Joining Writing And Publishing Communities For Childrens Book Creators
Enhancing Skills With Workshops Webinars And Learning Opportunities In Childrens Book Publishing
Maximizing Your Publishing Success With Made Live Resources And Support
Building Connections Networking With Other Childrens Book Authors
Business
Navigating Literary Agents And Query Letters For Childrens Books
Advanced Marketing Techniques And Analytics For Childrens Picture Books
Leveraging Technology In Childrens Book Publishing
Staying Ahead Keeping Up With Industry Trends And Changes In Childrens Book Publishing
Embracing Diversity Exploring Diverse Themes And Representation In Childrens Books
Mastering The Query Process In Childrens Book Publishing
How to Self-Edit for Filler Words
How to Self-Edit for Filler Words
Overview: Filler words are words or phrases that do not add value to your story. They can make sentences feel bloated and slow down the pacing of your narrative. When self-editing, it’s important to remove these unnecessary words to ensure your manuscript is concise and clear. By cutting out filler words, you’ll streamline your story while preserving its meaning and tone.
Why Removing Filler Words Matters
In picture books, every word counts. With limited space and a young audience, it’s essential to keep your language as concise as possible. Filler words can clutter your sentences and distract from the story’s core message. By eliminating these unnecessary words, you’ll create a cleaner, more engaging story that flows smoothly and keeps readers interested.
Key Considerations When Self-Editing for Filler Words
1. Have You Cut Out Unnecessary Words?
Filler words often include phrases like “just,” “very,” “really,” and “a little.” These words don’t typically add much to the meaning of a sentence, and removing them can make your writing more direct and impactful.
- Identify and remove filler words that don’t add value to the sentence.
- Ensure each word contributes to the overall meaning of the story.
Questions to Ask:
- Have I used any words or phrases that don’t add to the story’s meaning?
- Can I remove certain words without losing the impact of the sentence?
2. Is the Text Concise Without Losing Meaning or Tone?
While it’s important to cut out unnecessary words, you also need to maintain the meaning and tone of your story. Self-editing for filler words is about finding the balance between being concise and preserving the emotion, humor, or pacing of your narrative.
- Ensure the text remains concise, but doesn’t lose its meaning or emotional tone.
- Keep your sentences direct, while retaining the story’s voice and flow.
Questions to Ask:
- Is my text as concise as possible without sacrificing meaning or tone?
- Have I balanced brevity with the overall flow of the story?
3. Have You Streamlined Dialogue?
Filler words can often sneak into dialogue, making it feel less natural. While some filler words may be necessary for character voice, too many can weigh down the dialogue and make it sound repetitive or redundant.
- Check for filler words in dialogue, removing any that don’t serve a purpose.
- Keep dialogue sharp and natural, cutting any unnecessary phrases.
Questions to Ask:
- Does the dialogue feel natural, or have filler words crept in?
- Can I simplify the dialogue without losing the character’s voice?
How to Self-Edit for Filler Words
Step 1: Identify Filler Words
Read through your manuscript and highlight any filler words or phrases that don’t add to the story. Common filler words include “just,” “really,” “very,” “a little,” and “kind of.” If the sentence still makes sense without them, consider removing them.
Step 2: Simplify Sentences
After identifying filler words, focus on simplifying your sentences. Rewrite any sections that feel too wordy, while ensuring the meaning and tone of the story are maintained. Look for ways to make each sentence more concise and direct.
Step 3: Check Dialogue for Unnecessary Phrases
Review the dialogue in your manuscript, looking for any filler words or redundant phrases. Cut out any unnecessary words that don’t contribute to the flow of the conversation, and make sure the dialogue feels sharp and natural.
Step 4: Read Aloud for Conciseness
Reading your manuscript aloud can help you catch filler words and redundant phrases that slow down the pacing. As you read, pay attention to any sections that feel overly wordy or repetitive, and adjust them to improve clarity.
Self-editing for filler words ensures that your manuscript remains concise and clear. By cutting out unnecessary words and phrases, and simplifying sentences without losing meaning or tone, you’ll create a story that flows smoothly and keeps your readers engaged. Remember that every word should contribute to the story’s message and impact.