Let’s talk beginnings, young padawan. There are some out there in Storyteller Land that will say the ending is the most important part. But I disagree. I think the beginning of a story is more critical. Why? Because I say so 😁 But really, I have reasons. Good reasons. Are you ready for them? Of course you are, because you’re still reading! Are you? Please say you are… #1: The Hook Any story worth their salt has a killer hook….
What does a developmental editor do? Lucky for you I have a fantastic answer… Stuff! A developmental editor does stuff 😂 Not what you wanted to hear? Fine. Because I *really* like you, I’ll go into more detail, just this once. A developmental editor examines a manuscript and analyzes it for story-centric strengths and flaws. That’s the over simplified answer, but fundamentally what a developmental editor does. As a developmental editor, I would take all those words crammed into sentences…
Some folks will insist there are actually four types of editing, but I’m in the “three types” camp, so that’s how we’re going to roll. Now, I’m sure you’re thinking you’ve got to be joking, right? Three types of edits! Nah, editing is editing! Alas young Padawan, there ARE actually three main types of editing that a manuscript can go through, and three specific pieces of information you need to know for each, so here goes: Content/Developmental editing What does…
I wrote this several years ago to submit to a writing comptition. It was a fun little peice to write, but reciently I went back to do a developmental edit on it. And let me say that I’m no longer surprised I didn’t win, or even place! Ha! You can read the edits here. June 15, 2019 For the last few years I’ve watched the riots, government corruption, poverty and crime rip America, and much of the world, apart. I…
If you remember this gem of a post, I let the bomb drop that I’m not the best with grammar/punctuation. It’s true. I place commas where they don’t go, and usually miss a conjunction before said comma. And don’t even get me started on semicolons and em dashes, those are as foreign to me as Ancient Greek or math. #truth Since we’re on the truth train today, I learned the proper usage of/difference between your/you’re at the beginning of my writing journey, but…
Prepare to be shocked: at fourteen I was a weird loser, #truth. Some might be hesitant to describe themselves as such, but I’m fully aware I was a weird loser; or at least, that’s how others perceived me, and I lacked the self-esteem to reject that label (a post for another day). Besides having an awkward blend of depression and anxiety, I really didn’t fit in anywhere. I wasn’t popular, or goth. I wasn’t a nerd or a jock. I didn’t…
The age-old struggle of writers all over the world. Can you imagine Tolstoy, Tolkien, or Sanderson smashing their head over and over on the keyboard? I can’t. Because…queue dramatic music…I don’t believe in writer’s block. I believe in being creatively drained, sick and tired of a specific story or character. I believe in being unable to think coherently due to lack of rest, stress, or crappy eating habits. I believe in being depressed or anxious. But do I believe…
If you’ve read my In The Beginning post, then you’ve seen the first paragraph of my first attempt at writing a book. That beast is bad, bordering on atrocious :/ Did you spot the inconsistencies? There are several, in just one paragraph. And the grammar (and the punctuation, or lack thereof), also left much to be desired. I mean, if that’s not atrocious I don’t know what is. To be fair though, as I was writing that first story I wasn’t thinking…
Now, if you’re a part of the writing scene on Twitter, I’m sure you’ve seen the controversial tweet from an editor about ways a “broke” writer can get their book professionally edited. My feed has been swamped with with folks on both side of the issue. Here’s the tweet that started it all: Ways “broke” writers can get their book professionally edited: 1. Ask someone wealthy who believes in you and your book to invest in you 2. Get a…
I love names, and when I say love, I mean LOVE. A mushy, swooning, gooey love. My obsession probably borders on the insane, but it’s useful. Because of this obsession I’ve got probably two hundred names of all sorts tucked away in my back pocket for use in future stories. My list includes modern names like Amare, Cosmo, and Britta. There are unusual names like Rune, Venetor, and Orsa. I’ve even got different spellings like Lyn, Dove, and Mae. Every…