Tuesday’s writing tip for authors

Microsoft Word includes several writing and editing tools that can help authors and editors communicate more efficiently with each other. These tools help authors save time while writing a book and responding to editorial queries and suggestions.

By taking more and more advantage of these features, I’ve been able to respond much faster to my clients when asked to “take a look at” and comment on a project.

Here is a brief review of 3 of Microsoft Word’s powerful writing and editing tools:

1. Word Count. Located in the Tools menu, Microsoft Word’s Word Count feature can instantly tell you how many words, paragraphs and lines are in your document. More important, by highlighting a text passage in advance, you can use the Word Count feature to prepare a count of the words in any selected sentence, paragraph, or highlighted text passage.
2. Track Changes. This series of commands in the Tools menu allows authors and editors to make changes in a document, i.e., add, delete, or move text, and displays each individuals revisions in color. Track Changes allows everyone to compare the original text with the edited text, and identify who made the changes. Authors can accept or reject revisions. At any point, Word can display only the final version of the text.
3. Comments. This has recently become one of my favorite tools. Located in the Insert menu, Authors can Insert>Comments to indicate the placement of graphics or to ask questions in a way that won’t be confused with the text of their manuscript. Likewise, editors can make queries like, “Did you really mean rouge or did you mean rogue?” Selecting View, Comments opens another pane, where comments appear.

It’s surprising how my time and effort these tools can save you. If you’re not already familiar with them, I encourage you to make their acquaintance. These features have been incorporated in versions of Microsoft Word since Word 97.

Test Your Mastery of Word’s Writing Tools for FREE!

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I’ve just added my popular assessment of Word’s most important writing tools to Published & Profitable’s Sample Content area. Start your exploration of Microsoft Word’s writing tools by testing your knowledge of its time-saving writing features. And, be sure to share your favorite Microsoft Word writing shortcuts and tools as comments, below.