Line Editing for Filter Words
Line editing for filter words is a skill to master for line editors.
Tips on Line Editing for Filter Words
Filter words in fiction are words that get in the way of the reader experiencing the moment. These often relate to senses: “I saw John get out of the car” instead of “John got out of the car.” The second version allows the reader to experience the scene more directly, as if they are right there themselves watching John get out of the car.
Similarly, “Roger heard the bell ring” versus “The bell rang.” In the first case, we are a step back from the bell, and in the second, we’re right there as the bell rings.
One of the most common filtering phrases you’ll encounter as a line editor is pronoun + felt:
Here’s an example:
I thought of Good Dog’s injuries, and just as Beyok predicted, I felt my blood run hot.
Removing those filter words, it becomes:
I thought of Good Dog’s injuries, and just as Beyok predicted, my blood ran hot.
A writer colleague of mine gave me words to live by: “Never let a character feel something unless they’re actually touching it.”
Tips for Editors & Writers
-
Getting Started Teaching How-To Classes
If you’re a developmental editor, you’ve probably occasionally thought about teaching a class for writers—perhaps as a means to let people get to know you before they invest in the expense of a full developmental edit or because you want to help them solve some common writing problems before they finish their first draft or…
-
Plant a Seed, Earn a Buck
A few months back, a book I wrote more than twenty years ago delivered an unexpected royalty check for $1,000. When I originally wrote the book, I received an advance that earned out in a year or so. After a few years, the book stopped selling all that many copies (this is common), but I…
-
Happy New Year!
I ate my grapes (a Spanish tradition for the new year), said “Feliz año!” to everyone in the neighborhood, and snuggled up with a good book, feeling grateful as I embark on my second year in Spain. May your 2026 be filled with happiness and adventure!
