Common writing mistakes #20

#20 — Small, repeating phrases Sometimes, small phrases end up repeating themselves. But if they're shortened, that will tighten up the story's prose. Here are some examples: Climbed up -> Climbed If you climb something, you're usually going up toward the top. So, can drop up and leave climbed by itself. I climbed up the … Continue reading Common writing mistakes #20

NaNoWriMo update —— #2

Time for another NaNoWriMo update! I'm still on track so far! I usually end the night about 300 or 600 words above where I need to be. But a headache made it hard to concentrate yesterday, so I'm only a handful of words ahead now. I found more of the plot this past week. Instead … Continue reading NaNoWriMo update —— #2

ARCs — What are they? And why do writers need them?

ARCs—advanced reader copies—are important in the publishing process for every writer. The one major thing to do before publishing a book is build hype. You want your readers to jump up and down with excitement for your upcoming book. Quite similar to how many people get excited every time Marvel releases a new trailer. And … Continue reading ARCs — What are they? And why do writers need them?

Common writing mistakes #15

#15 — No sentence variation Sometimes, sentences start to stack up. When that happens, they can feel as if they're too similar to each other. In those spots, it's good to check how those sentences differ. Because if you're not careful, they can all sound the same and feel bland. See what I mean? I've … Continue reading Common writing mistakes #15

To writers who fear the first draft

Dear writers who are afraid of the first draft, It's all right. As cliché as it might sound, we've all been there with a blank page hovering in front of us. Uneven plot lines. Characters with blue eyes one page and brown eyes twenty pages later. Ideas swarm around in our heads, but none make … Continue reading To writers who fear the first draft

POV talk: second person

There are many POVs with questions surrounding them. I want to break them all down and discuss the biggest concerns in different posts. Today, I'll talk about second person POV. SECOND person Second person is one of my favorite POVs to read. When it's done well, it creates a powerful story. It addresses the readers … Continue reading POV talk: second person

POV talk: first person

There are many POVs with questions surrounding them. I want to break them all down and discuss the biggest concerns in different posts. Today, I'll talk about first person POV. FIRST person First person is intimate between the reader and the main character (MC). You get front row seats through the MC's eyes. It also … Continue reading POV talk: first person

An important reminder for writers

You're not a writer after you sell a hundred copies. That mountain of rejections doesn't define you. You're not a writer once the world knows your name either. You're a writer if you write. Even if you don't write for a while, you're still a writer. You're not an aspiring writer. You are a writer. … Continue reading An important reminder for writers

6 things editors need to know from writers before editing

Editors are essential. It's also important to communicate some information with them when reaching out to get their services. Here are six things to keep in mind: Word count, not page count Knowing how many pages there are isn't as helpful as one might think. There is a general standard that every page is about … Continue reading 6 things editors need to know from writers before editing