The 3 Different Types of Editing

The 3 Different Types of Editing

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…

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System Failure – A Short Story

System Failure – A Short Story

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…

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Writing Tools of My Trade

Writing Tools of My Trade

Salutations padawan! Today I’m going to talk at you about the writing tools of my trade. 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…

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Treasured Tomes

Treasured Tomes

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…

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Writer’s Block Doesn’t Exist

Writer’s Block Doesn’t Exist

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…

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My Quest to Perfect My Writing Craft

My Quest to Perfect My Writing Craft

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…

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Are You a Broke Writer? This Is For You

Are You a Broke Writer? This Is For You

Padawan, 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…

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The Art of Character Naming

The Art of Character Naming

Greetings, padawan! 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…

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In The Beginning

In The Beginning

Let’s start out with a story… A young girl always liked stories, and would tell fantastic tales of escapes from museums and babysitters. That girl grew up, but she still lived in stories. She would sit at her computer, turn on some music, and start typing. Great tales about horses, princes, running away, and fancy bedrooms. However, there was another side to this story, for the girl was ashamed of her writing. For some reason, whenever a knock came at…

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