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The longer I edit novels, the more I am convinced it's in the writer's DNA to tell a story instead of showing their audience who their characters are. Editing is where the story evolves, takes on a new life. Not only for the character but for the plot, setting, and ultimately for the reader. Why?… Continue reading Let Your Character Shine
As a writer of fiction, the narration makes up the bulk of the story. It's where the character reveals him or herself. Also, it's inner narration that allows the reader to connect with the characters. We root for them. Bash the bad guy. Swoon over the hero. Wish we were the heroine. Only if the… Continue reading Inner Narration: Show Instead of Tell
What isn't necessary? That. The word. It is overused and often used incorrectly in fiction writing. Most 55-60K word manuscripts I edit that is used at least 500 times often closer to 900. Well over the amount necessary. Are you aware you can omit 95% of them in your manuscript? Why? How? You ask. Fiction, good fiction writing… Continue reading That Isn’t Essential
Writing rejection letters happens to be my biggest task as a contract editor for The Wild Rose Press (TWRP). And it isn't pleasant. I do not enjoy writing them, yet they are a must. At times, I reject with suggestions to revise and resend. Most of the time, I thank the author and move on.… Continue reading Rejection Hurts your Editor
As my client base grows, so does my exposure to different writing styles. Some automatically show instead of tell, use active verbs and sensory details, while some do not, and most fall into the category that uses a combination of all styles. It is in this last category that I notice the majority of the authors… Continue reading Prepositions
The upstart em dash has been butting her head into fiction more and more in the last few years replacing the tried and true ellipses. Why? With that question, others arise. Don't they serve the same purpose? When should I use the em dash instead of the ellipses, where, and how do I write them.… Continue reading Ellipses or Em Dash
Today's society texting is the preferred communication to keep up with friends and family. So it isn't uncommon to see texts filling the pages, as dialogue, in novels. As a writer, I am prone to writing the texts in italics, starting each new text in a new paragraph. As an editor, I see variations of… Continue reading Writing Texts in Novels
