Every writer will tell you there are words they use unconsciously. Words or phrases they repeat in their writing, regardless of whether they’ve previously identified their tendency to overuse them. Some offenders are little words like “and” or “then”. Some are descriptive words like “dark” or “quick”. In romance novels, you’ll often find “arm” or … Continue reading EDITING CLUE: Catching Those Overused Words
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3 Simple Ways To Reduce Your Word Count
If you're like me, when you get to the end of a manuscript, you're a few thousand (or maybe ten thousand) words over the optimal word count for your genre. A lot of common editing advice can make a difference in MS length. Directives like “find stronger verbs” will eliminate some adverbs, while “make sentences … Continue reading 3 Simple Ways To Reduce Your Word Count
Beta Readers: What are they & why do I need them?
First of all, as with Critique Partners, you'll notice that the question isn't “Do I need them?” because that's a given. You need them. Period. So what are they and how do you get them? First you might ask: how does a Beta Reader differ from a Critique Partner? Both are all about helping you create … Continue reading Beta Readers: What are they & why do I need them?
Critique Partners: What are they & why do I need them?
First of all, notice that the question isn't “Do I need them?” because that's a given. You need them, and they need you. So what are they and how do you find them? A critique partner is someone who reads your manuscript after you've gotten it to a somewhat polished state. A critique partner should … Continue reading Critique Partners: What are they & why do I need them?
The Goal
Ever since the New Year, it seems everyone has been talking about “The Goal”. January was a month of promises and optimism; in early February the glitter started to wear off; and now at the beginning of March, so many lament. With writer friends, specifically, the goals set up were so many words and so … Continue reading The Goal
Gifford MacShane, Author 