Dialogue is critical. It’s not necessary, but in stories where it’s present, it needs to flow and keep the story going. That can be hard though. Small talk keeps the story still. Sometimes dialogue can feel like an info dump. So, how do we keep it interesting? Goals Give every character a goal—usually a different … Continue reading 3 tips to spice up your dialogue
Tag: info
Common writing mistakes #6
#6 — Unnecessary details The plot is coming along. We're getting to an important moment—but wait! I forgot to mention something. Let me write it down because it's important. But now the reader is wondering why I stopped the story to describe something in the middle of the chapter. As a writer myself, I get … Continue reading Common writing mistakes #6
How to use social media when querying
At the base line, social media is a good way to connect with agents. Agents talk about their manuscript wish list (#MSWL) from time to time. They list what they're looking for in the next book they represent. Look out for them. You might see one that matches your book. However, warning: do not directly … Continue reading How to use social media when querying
Book review – The Copyeditor’s Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications (Spoiler Free)
“Even if you haven't formally studied English grammar, you know countless aspects of grammar as an English speaker. You would never say or write "I are hungrily very," no matter how many hours had passed since your last meal. Not all questions of grammar are that simple, of course, but many tangles are easily resolved … Continue reading Book review – The Copyeditor’s Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications (Spoiler Free)
“Freelancer” or another title?
Sometimes using the term freelance editor makes the job seem easier than it actually is. Carefree. Simple. But it's more like running a small business than anything else. Freelancers have tax assessments to do, cliental to keep up with, projects to handle, breaks to plan, money to manage, etc. It's not something people think about … Continue reading “Freelancer” or another title?
Tips for self-publishing
Self-publishing allows writers to publish anything they want. But marketing is harder. That said, here's some tips to help self-published books be more marketable: 1) Make sure your manuscript is perfect Hiring a professional editor is the best way to go. It can be a lot of money, but it's a huge turnoff to find … Continue reading Tips for self-publishing
Robin LeeAnn 