The Motivational Editor

Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published

writing

How to Identify Misplaced Modifiers

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self-editing locating misplaced modifiers

This month I’m discussing misplaced modifiers. Boring stuff, I know, but it can make for some comical—or embarrassing—reading.

I think everyone understands the definition of misplaced; however, modifiers might be a bit elusive.

Merriam-Webster Online Unabridged Dictionary gives this definition: “a word or phrase that makes specific the meaning of another word or phrase.”

Modifiers give more depth of meaning to a word that either precedes it or follows it. I think misplaced modifiers are often difficult to spot because 1) we know what we mean when we write it; 2) we tend to put things in the wrong order; and 3) we often speak them in a misplaced manner.

[Read more…] about How to Identify Misplaced Modifiers

3 Ways to Enhance Your Creativity and Motivation to Write

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dog dressed in shirt and headphones no motivation to writeI have to admit finding motivation to write every day can be a struggle. On many days, it is a matter of self-discipline to sit down and write.

So today I’d like to offer some suggestions that can help move us (I’m talking to myself here too) from the arena of self-discipline to being truly motivated every day.

First, let’s not forget what I said last month about what motivation is—the reason behind what you do.

Visualize your end goal and [Read more…] about 3 Ways to Enhance Your Creativity and Motivation to Write

Which is more important, attitude or aptitude?

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Today’s world of technology can be daunting. I tend to procrastinate when I feel intimidated by the technology involved in getting something done. But something I recently read encouraged me and I want to share it with you here.

The Author Training Manual book cover Nina AmirI’m reading Nina Amir’s book The Author Training Manual. In it, Amir states that author attitude is essential to publishing success.

And I wholeheartedly agree.

I wanted to be a writer since I was a pre-teen. But I let a lot of things [Read more…] about Which is more important, attitude or aptitude?

How to find overused words in your manuscript

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Every writer has words she or he uses too often. I call them crutch words. Words like “well, smiled, laughed, however, tears, cried” etc., in addition to adverb usage.

These words aren’t easily spotted when you revise simply because you’re looking at other things like character and plot development.

So today I’m going to show you how to find those words whether you use MS Word or Scrivener. [Read more…] about How to find overused words in your manuscript

What Is Clean Writing?

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On Writing Well by William ZinsserDo you think best-selling authors like James Patterson, J.K. Rowling, and Jerry Jenkins sit down and produce that best seller with their first draft?

For some reason, many people believe this is how it happens. But that’s a myth.

“Submitting a novel without rewriting is like playing ice hockey naked.” ~Best selling author James Scott Bell in Revision and Self-Editing for Publication

Whether you are a seat-of-the-pants writer or one who plots first, the prevailing advice in writing your first draft is [Read more…] about What Is Clean Writing?

Discover what’s so great about Scrivener!

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Scrivener, Scrivener, Scrivener.

You’ve been hearing about it from a lot of writers, including me. In fact, I recently taught a workshop on using Scrivener at the Called to Write conference in Pittsburg, Kansas.

You may be wondering what’s so terrific about this software and why you should consider using it.

So let’s take a look at it. [Read more…] about Discover what’s so great about Scrivener!

The Myth of Synonyms

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Precise verbs are important to every great book, be it fiction or non-fiction. In fact, where preciseness is concerned I can say that about nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, and . . . Okay, all parts of speech.

During the draft process, you are focused on getting the ideas out of your head and into the computer. Don’t stop to struggle over a word choice during your draft. Hone in on your word choices when you start the revision.

Today, let’s take a look at 3 myths about choosing synonyms. [Read more…] about The Myth of Synonyms

6 Tasks to Accomplish with Act 1 of Your Novel – Part 1

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bend in the roadAs writers we know we have to hook our reader at the onset — no matter what it is we’re writing.

But as novelists, the opening act of our story needs to accomplish six tasks to keep our readers interested and wanting to know what’s just around the bend. For the next several Tuesday Writing Tip posts, that’s what I’ll be discussing. Included with this series is the opportunity to win James Scott Bell’s book Plot & Structure. You’ll find the giveaway details at the end of this post.

You may know what those 6 things are already without even realizing it. You’ve gleaned them from your own reading most likely, but, like me, may not be consciously aware of them. What’s #1? [Read more…] about 6 Tasks to Accomplish with Act 1 of Your Novel – Part 1