tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023252417439353998.post7566591556306738741..comments2023-09-22T04:26:36.946-06:00Comments on Turning the Pages: Passively Blind?Angela Fristoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03531822797278035352noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023252417439353998.post-61724226941552118492010-04-20T10:55:44.000-06:002010-04-20T10:55:44.000-06:00Hmmm ... tough one. I think it also depends on the...Hmmm ... tough one. I think it also depends on the text that is bookending the sentence using passive voice. If you have a number of passive sentences in a row, it can really stand out. <br><br>During undergrad, I had a history professor who deducted 1% off a total grade on a paper for every use of passive voice. It was one of the most important educational moments I experienced as a writer (although I readily admit I was highly annoyed at the time). Once you learn how NOT to use it at all, your use of passive voice becomes conscious and deliberate - allowing you to utilize it in the correct moments, and with more impact. My long way of saying it is a battle worth plowing through. Master your active and passive voice!Penny Eltonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5023252417439353998.post-49855525360628980842010-04-28T17:53:50.000-06:002010-04-28T17:53:50.000-06:00I don't know if I can help, because I struggle...I don't know if I can help, because I struggle with passivity, too. And repetition. And run-on sentences. And unnecessary words like "so," "that," and "just." The truth is that sometimes the way you write is the way you write. Others will try and give you rules and spout off the lessons their agent, editor, or friend down the street gave them, but in the end you have to decide if those rules work in your book and for your voice. I know I'm the pot calling the kettle black because I struggle SO much with what other people say about my work and how to improve it, I trust other people's judgments much better than my own, but I guess my point is- don't be like me! If you are struggling with readers/reviewers giving you crap about passive voice but aren't sure how to change it- then skip it. Let it marinate. Maybe you'll figure out how to fix it on the next round of edits a couple of months from now. Maybe you'll decide the readers were trying to help, but their advice really isn't right for you. And maybe you'll decide the idea of their advice is good, but you have a better way of implementing it.<br><br>This probably isn't helpful at all, but I know how you feel. I really do, and it so totally sucks.<br><br>Did you notice how many times I broke the very rules I know I break? That's just how I think and write. I could go back and edit those glaring instances out, or I could leave my voice intact...rachelhammhttp://rachelhamm.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com