Continuity and accuracy

I'm in the middle of edits for another person and am reminded again of continuity and accuracy when writing. It's something every writer should be aware of and a good reason to make notes when writing.

What is continuity? It is having a hero start out with blue eyes and black hair and end up with blue eyes and black hair - not green eyes and blond hair. It is starting the story out on Tuesday, going through a week and not ending up on Thursday. It is ending up with the same character names you started out with. If you make note cards or even a spreadsheet - one card or column for each character - that lists physical characteristics, name, etc. It will help you keep track of who is who in your story.

What about accuracy? Check your facts. I had a writer once who was attempting to read a map by his headlights in full dark. Okay, so what's wrong with that? Nothing except it was July, he was in northern Texas, and it was only 8 p.m. That would be evening - near sunset - but not yet full dark.

This may sound like a small thing, and in the greater scope of a full novel, it is, but it is also a red flag. You may say most readers wouldn't catch something like that and you may be right. But it is for those who do catch these things that you have to be as accurate as possible. Believe me, they will let other readers know if you've messed up. Yes, writers and editors aren't going to catch everything. I've got multiple books on my shelves where something was missed in the final edit - from large houses and small, big name writers and newbies. I make enough of my own just writing these blogs. But just because these mistakes slip through doesn't mean you shouldn't do all you can to catch them before the book - or blog - hits the shelves.

Today's author birthday: Tolstoy

Today's thought: "Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man." - Francis Bacon

Today's teaser: (Insert name), You've just won ten million dollars! What are you going to do now?