How do you know when your book is ready to send to an editor? I sometimes receive very raw drafts from writers asking for a…
Smooth transitions can help your story flow
Do you feel you need to account for every moment and movement in a scene? I’ve found a lot of new writers do. But look at this extract from Emily Bitto’s beautiful novel ‘The Strays’.
Head hopping can break the spell
I’ve just finished reading a book in which about 90% of the story was from the point of view of the central character, Jo, (limited…
Journey of a self-published book
Every book has a different journey from idea to shelf, but I’m sure there are some commonalities. I wonder if some of this resonates with you?
Two hot tips for picking up typos in your own work
I recently published a post with an embarrassing error: who’s instead of whose. How did I let this happen and how can I help you avoid doing the same?
You’ve written your first draft. Now what?
Woo hoo! You did it! You’ve written your first draft. So what’s next? The first thing to do is feel super smug and a wee…
Editors are not arbiters of taste
I have to be aware of my tastes and make sure I don’t impose them on the writers I work with.
Did you make a New Year’s resolution to get back into that book you are writing?
Are you stumped? Not sure where to start? Here’s a suggestion for a way in.
Five things to expect from a copy editor
Hiring an editor is a significant step, so you need to be confident that they are right editor for you.