At my first job as a magazine editor, this wise, seasoned, senior editor came in and said, "Before you ever turn any articles into me, I want you to read them out loud to yourself." That was the best piece of advice I ever gleaned during college or have received during my 30-year career. That sage woman just passed this year; she was still editing copy in her 80s and still offering advice to young writers. I not only continue to heed her instruction, but share it with others as it has proven invaluable. It is such a simple task: Read Out Loud. Yet, by doing this we "hear" the mistakes we make in our writing. This doesn't happen when we read silently to ourselves. We "hear" when we are not transitioning from one sentence to another or one paragraph to another; when we repeat words too often; when we fail to creatively open sentences; when our sentences have no flow; or when we travel down unintended roads. Read out loud in private - or, better yet, read out loud to family members and friends willing to help you "hear" issues that need to be addressed.
At a recent summer writing camp for a group of inner-city children that I tutor during the school year, we practiced the art of reading out loud. They marveled at the words they had carefully strung together, and they took pride in reading their final versions out loud for all others present to hear. I tell my students at home and elsewhere, like my first editor did, that they are not to turn anything into me until they read it out loud. Hearing your written words means you will hone your written words.
A 17-year-old girl I have the privilege of mentoring, Johnetta Jenkins, spoke these words out loud at the close of this school year:
"I'm a woman in God's creation.
I'm a woman who has built a reputation.
Because I know God has the world in His hands,
I know He has a master plan.
I'm a strong woman who has fought for victory,
And I want to thank everyone who believes in me."
(Excerpt from "I'm a Woman" - June, 2011)
