The Motivational Editor

Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published

Writing Tips

Where in the world is your story?

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Garden of the Gods, ColoradoHave you ever started reading a book thinking it was contemporary fiction and then 2 … or 3 … or 4 chapters later realized it was historical?

Or maybe you’ve spent the first several pages trying to figure out where the story takes place — big or small city, where you live or in a foreign country?

What do issues like this do to your reading experience?

Does it jar you out of the story when what you thought was really isn’t?

Do you have to step back and reassess before you can dive into the next paragraph?

How do you keep from jerking the reader out of your story? How, instead, with every word you write, do you submerge the reader in your story — seeing, tasting, touching, and experiencing the world you’ve created for them?

Parts 1 and 2 of this series discussed how to hook your reader and create a leading character your reader can bond with. Part 3 of this series will add one more piece to writing a story that will keep your reader reading. [Read more…] about Where in the world is your story?

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

The Dreaded Rejection Letter & Why Editors Write Them

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Rejected manuscriptRejection letters.

Most writers dislike them. At least most of my writer friends do.

Rejection letters are discouraging and leave a nasty feeling in the pit of your stomach.

As the editorial director for CrossRiver Media, I can tell you I don’t like writing rejection letters anymore than I, as a writer, like getting them.

And, I will venture to say, [Read more…] about The Dreaded Rejection Letter & Why Editors Write Them

How to Write Back Cover Copy that Sells

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library signLast week I had to complete the back cover copy for my upcoming book, Carried by Grace. The very next day I had two friends ask me about back cover copy. So I thought I would address that topic today. [Read more…] about How to Write Back Cover Copy that Sells

5 Benefits to Taking a Break from Writing

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Authors Elaine Marie Cooper and Debra L. Butterfield
Elaine Marie Cooper and me.

We all know it’s important to take a break now and then no matter what line of work we do. But it’s even more important to refresh and re-energize ourselves when we’ve completed a big project.

I recently completed the final draft of a manuscript and sent it off to writers and readers for feedback. In the meantime, I needed some rest, both physically and mentally. Two weeks vacationing with my kids is my ideal, but that’s just not in the budget right now. So I started looking for alternatives — a day trip or some place to visit for the weekend.

When I saw that author Elaine Marie Cooper was speaking in northern Missouri, I quickly mapped the event to find out how close it was to me. I read her newest book Fields of the Fatherless and was excited at a chance to meet her. [Read more…] about 5 Benefits to Taking a Break from Writing

Going Crazy with How to Grab Your Reader’s Attention?

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warning sign

You are a writer.

You’re working to

  • Sell your articles or book manuscript
  • Build a blog following (if you’re a blogger), and
  • Build your platform.

That means you spend a portion of your time [Read more…] about Going Crazy with How to Grab Your Reader’s Attention?

How to Use the Ellipsis and the Em Dash

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Punctuation is an aspect of English with which many writers struggle. But we must face the reality: incorrect punctuation raises a red flag for editors and makes them more inclined to toss your submission into the trash.

I’m not talking about a missing comma here and there, but flagrant incorrect punctuation. As much as some might hate it, correct punctuation is critically important to your submission. 

So today, let’s take a look at the ellipsis and the em dash—two punctuation marks that get misused and often over used.

[Read more…] about How to Use the Ellipsis and the Em Dash

How to Create the Smartest Indent for a Manuscript

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With all the manuscripts I edit or proofread I’ve learned many writers don’t know how to create a proper indent to their paragraphs.

While I can’t unequivocally say that publishers prefer writers use the first line indent, I can say you’ll look like a savvy writer if you do.

The first line indent is formatting that removes the need for the TAB KEY at the beginning of every paragraph. It is the formatting the publisher will eventually use in preparing your manuscript for publication. If you self-publish, this indent is a formatting essential.

Here’s how to create the “first line indent.” [Read more…] about How to Create the Smartest Indent for a Manuscript