Product

Company

Blog
Sign Up For Free
Sign In

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 Your Narrative Pointofview Pov

    How To Conduct A Competitive Analysis For Your Book

    How To Plan The Plot Climax Or High Point Of Your Story

    How To Plan Your Story Using Flow

    How To Write An Impressive Author Bio For Your Book

    Ideal Word Count For Illustrated Books Based On Age And Book Type

    How To Define The Time Setting For Your Story

    Setting Your Title And Author Name Before Applying For Copyright

    How To Write A Captivating Book Blurb For Childrens Books

    How To Plan The Ending Or Resolution Of Your Story

    How To Plan The Theme Of Your Book

    Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company

    How To Enter The Author Name For Your Book

    How To Plan Where Your Story Begins

    How To Plan Distribution Options For Your Selfpublished Book

    How To Choose The Right Book Type For Your Story

    How To Plan And Choose The Right Genre For Your Book

    Understanding The Differences Between Fiction And Nonfiction

    How To Plan The Plot And Key Conflict Of Your Story

    How To Develop Engaging Characters For Your Book

    Understanding Book Types Formats And Sizes In Childrens Publishing

    Typography And Text Design In Illustrated Books Best Practices

    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

    How To Add Tags To Your Manuscript In Made Live

    Crafting A Compelling Plot In Childrens Books

    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 Secure An Isbn For Your Book A Global Guide

    How To Enter Your Isbn In The Section

    How To Set Up And Modify Your Copyright Information In Made Live

    How To Officially File For Copyright Protection As An Author


Designing

    How To Add Back Matter To Your Illustrated Book

    How To Insert Copyright Information Into The Storyboard

    How To Create Effective Pacing In Your Illustrated Book

    How To Add Your Barcode To The Back Cover

    How To Transfer Your Manuscript To The Storyboard

    How To Generate Or Import Placeholder Images In The Storyboard Workspace

    How To Import Final Illustrations For Your Illustrated Book

    How To Delete Extra Spreads To Avoid Blank Pages In Your Book

    How To Design The Back Cover Of Your Book

    Basics Of Book Illustration Style And Color In Childrens Books

    How To Set Up And Select Color Choices For Your Book In Made Live

    Revising Your Books Design And Layout For Optimal Flow

    How To Design A Book Cover For Your Book

    How To Create A Title Page For Your Illustrated Book

    How To Modify Text Blocks In The Storyboard Workspace

    How To Check The Visual Appeal Of Your Book For The Target Audience

    Creating A Physical Book Dummy For Your Illustrated Book

    Adding A Dedication Or Acknowledgements To Your Book

    How To Use Visual Storytelling In Your Illustrated Book

    How To Check Your Storyboard And Design For Continuity

    Choosing The Right Fonts For 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 Your Manuscript For Theme

    How To Provide Clear Illustration Notes For Your Illustrator

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Your Audience

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Vocabulary

    How To Selfedit For Flow By Reading Your Manuscript Aloud

    How To Selfedit And Proofread For Grammar Punctuation And Spelling

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Pacing

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Consistency

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Clarity

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Story Structure

    How To Selfedit For Filler Words

    How To Selfedit For Punctuation In Dialogue

    Self Tips And Techniques For Aspiring Authors

    How To Review The Cover Design For Your Illustrated Book

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Redundancy

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Illustrations

    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


Learn how to self-edit for filler words to ensure your manuscript is concise and clear. Cut unnecessary words that do not add to the meaning or tone of the story.

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.


Last Updated: 2 months

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Threads
  • Youtube
Get the newest strategies, tips, and trends delivered to your inbox.
Privacy Policy.

Features
OverviewPricingKnowledge BaseRelease NotesFAQ

When you visit or use our sites, services, or tools, we or our authorized service providers may use cookies to store information. This helps us offer you a better, faster, and safer experience, as well as for marketing purposes.

sitemap

© 2024. All rights reserved.