Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published
CrossRiver Media recently accepted a second book (working title Where Destiny Awaits) from author Catherine Ulrich Brakefield. She and I connected last month at the Omaha Wordsowers writers conference, at which time she handed me a half-inch thick folder of research documents—complete with an official map of Tennessee, where her story takes place.
I could have hugged her. (Maybe only an editor can feel that way about research.) [Read more…] about Research: Why It Matters to Your Novel
There are those of you who prefer to let editors or proofreaders worry about commas, but if you’re hiring a freelance editor or proofreader, learning some punctuation basics will save you money because he/she will spend less time fixing your manuscript.
I’ll be the first to say the rules governing the English language are confusing. I’ve often wondered why there seems to be an exception to every rule—sometimes 2 or 3.
I reference my Chicago Manual of Style regularly. I also spend time in my Grammar Desk Reference, learning the whys and wherefores of grammar so I can correctly punctuate a sentence.
Today, I’d like to give some guidelines for commas I see most misused. [Read more…] about 3 Rules on Using Commas
When it comes to tools in the writer’s toolbox, the query letter is a must.
I can always tell newby writers (or those who refuse to learn the tools of the trade), by their query letters. These letters are either chock full of the wrong information, or have barely any information at all.
I’ve even received queries that have no signature line. Now I know why Anonymous is so often credited with a piece of writing.
Think of your query like a sledge hammer in a game of high striker at the carnival. A weak query letter is like trying to ring the bell with a kid’s plastic hammer. [Read more…] about How Is a Query Letter Like a Sledge Hammer?
Guest Posting today is Jennifer Slattery
Every first draft I write seems to be crammed with cliché characters. The Sunday school teacher with silver hair pulled back in a bun. The buff and burly loan shark. The alcoholic husband who burps and slurps and does all sorts of other crude things unfit to share in a blog post.
With four novels in print and two manuscripts in waiting, I’ve learned how to create strong yet unique characters—in drafts two through eight. This includes allowing ugly into the first draft, swapping the expected for the unexpected, and delving deeper into the human psyche. [Read more…] about Removing the Cliché from Your Characters
I’ve been reading an excellent blog series by Erin Buterbaugh found in the archives of Chip MacGregor’s blog. It’s about voice—something that seems to elude writers, beginning writers especially.
To quote Erin, voice is
“the personality of the author as revealed through the writing.”
When I first started writing with the intention of earning money for it, I read Finding Your Voice by Les Edgerton (btw Ane Mulligan recommends this book on a guest post she did for MacGregor’s blog). [Read more…] about Has fear sabotaged your voice?
We all know hiring a professional editor can be an expensive proposition. So finding ways to help your editor save time in editing your book is a good thing.
I can’t take credit for today’s idea. I learned this tool from author and publisher Mark Gilroy at a Heart of America Writers Conference I attended several years ago.
It’s a tool every writer should consider using because it’s tremendously useful for your editor and can save the editor a lot of time and work.
What is that tool? [Read more…] about How You Can Save Money in the Editing Process
With conference season upon us, I thought it would be interesting to learn what goes into creating those conferences, so you can better evaluate the conference(s) you choose to attend (and pray for their organizers).
I asked Julane Hiebert, chairwoman of the Called to Write Writers Conference held in Pittsburg, Kansas, to share her experience and advice.
I first met Julane at last year’s Called to Write conference and wish I had had more time to get acquainted with her. Conferences are wonderful places to make new friends who are walking the same journey and understand the joys—and frustrations—of writing!
When and how did the Called to Write conference get started? [Read more…] about The Making of a Writers Conference
Today, I finish this series, and maybe you’re drawing a breath of relief about that. That’s okay. I understand.
I know you’re looking for specific advice on improving your story and getting published, but there are times when my spirit is so burdened that I must write about what I believe God has for me to share that day. This series has been one of those times.
The Bible tells us in 3 John 1:2, NKJV:
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
That tells me there is a direct link between my physical and spiritual life. This leads me to… [Read more…] about 4 Life Principles I Learned as a Marine – Part 4