The Motivational Editor

Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published

The Pros and Cons of Independent Publishing

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independent publishing, doberman looking at a laptopIn today’s world of technology, independent publishing is easier than ever. Almost so easy, a dog could do it.

Let’s take a quick look at the basics involved.

First let’s define a few terms.

Traditional publishing: a publishing company contracts with you to publish your book. They pay all costs of production and pay you varying royalty rates that average around 10 percent.

Self publishing: you hire and pay upfront a company to create your book cover and interior book file. They generally also distribute the book to various platforms.

Independent publishing: you are “the company.” [Read more…] about The Pros and Cons of Independent Publishing

Your Draft Is Done, Now It’s Time for Self-Editing

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self-editing, red-lined edit of printed page

Many beginning writers mistakenly believe that the first draft of their book is also their finished book. Nothing could be farther from the truth!

Your draft is not even something you want to send to a professional editor—a writing coach, yes, but not a professional editor.

After the draft comes self-editing. But many writers seem confused about what this involves.

Let’s look at the basics of the process of self-editing.

[Read more…] about Your Draft Is Done, Now It’s Time for Self-Editing

Stand Strong in the Message God Has Given You

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2018 goals affirmationsThe year is half over—as hard as that is to believe.

Now is a good time to review your goals and the progress you’ve made toward them.

I like to work in 90-day increments, so I set goals to be achieved within a 90-day period. (I also have long term goals I’m reaching for.) This 90-day period is much more achievable and [Read more…] about Stand Strong in the Message God Has Given You

If You’re an Author, Are You a Business Owner?

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Hobbyist or Business Owner?

In a recent survey of my blog subscribers, I asked how interested they were in learning about the business side of being an author. “Not at all, somewhat, or very.” Sixty-five percent said VERY.

So today is my first post focused entirely on being a business owner.

When you read the title of today’s post, how did you answer the question? [Read more…] about If You’re an Author, Are You a Business Owner?

Making Time to Write When It Feels You Have None to Give

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Author Jennifer SlatteryMaking time to write in our busy schedules is common to many writers, even moi. But our obstacles are more than just busyness or the day job.

Please welcome guest Jennifer Slattery as she discusses making time to write. Jennifer is a writer and international speaker who’s addressed women’s groups, church groups, Bible studies, and other writers across the nation. She’s the author of six contemporary novels and maintains a devotional blog. She has a passion for helping women discover, embrace, and live out who they are in Christ. As the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries, she and her team partner with churches to facilitate events designed to help women rest in their true worth and live with maximum impact. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall dates with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband. Connect with her on Facebook or Instagram.

Making Time to Write

Do you often find yourself overloaded and out of time? [Read more…] about Making Time to Write When It Feels You Have None to Give

The Payoff for Determination and Application: How One Writer Did It

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Editor Debra L. Butterfield
Debra teaching at a writers conference.

Determination and application of lessons learned must be part of a writer’s repertoire. These occur behind the scenes in the daily grind of the writer’s life. Today, I bring you a guest post that shows us how that paid off for a new writer.

Earlier this year, I taught at Wordsower’s Christian Writers Conference 2018 (#WCWC2018). Many new writers often ask “why attend a conference?” A host of benefits can be gained:

  • Meeting and making friends other writers
  • Learning the craft of writing/screenwriting/fiction/nonfiction
  • Learning the ins and outs of the publishing industry
  • Connecting with acquisitions editors
  • Pitching your work
  • Receiving critiques
  • Encouragement, inspiration, and motivation

The first night at WCWC2018 Dean Skoglund greeted me while I perused the conference bookstore. He was excited to tell me how much my critique of his work last year had helped and that he now had a published book. I did what lots of business owners do, [Read more…] about The Payoff for Determination and Application: How One Writer Did It

How the Hero’s Story Goal Equates to Nonfiction

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mountain with rainbow story goalLast week I discussed the hero’s story goal in fiction, but if you write nonfiction, especially self-help, you may feel a story goal doesn’t relate to your book.

But story goals do relate to nonfiction in a way many people don’t realize.

People read nonfiction for various reasons, sometimes for the sheer entertainment, but often to learn and grow in a particular area.

More often than I can count, I’ve heard, “God has given me a book to write,” from my blog readers and from writers at conferences.

God has given you a message to share that will help others.

In writing that kind of nonfiction, the hero of your book is your target reader! They want to… [Read more…] about How the Hero’s Story Goal Equates to Nonfiction

Your Hero’s Story Goal and the Problems in Obtaining It

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lion in midst of antelope creates a story goal for the lionEarlier this year I looked at 4 important elements in fiction writing. Here’s a quick review:

  1. What does the hero want? (This is the story goal.)
  2. Who or what is opposing the hero getting what she wants?
  3. What will the hero’s life look like if she does (or does not) get what she wants?
  4. Who is the guide who helps our hero get what she wants?

Today, I want to dive deeper into the hero’s story goal. [Read more…] about Your Hero’s Story Goal and the Problems in Obtaining It