If you’ve been following along in this space, hopefully you’ve found some tips to help with your writing project. You may even have purchased the Revision Road Map, the self-paced mini-course to help you triage and organize your revision. But what if you find yourself still struggling with your story? Something is not working, you justContinue reading “Is it Time to Hire a Book Coach?”
Category Archives: Editing
Three Mindsets Needed for Writing
Writing a novel length work with the intent to publish demands many things of us as writers: studying craft, practice, hours of typing, deleting, experiencing the world, interviews, research, and the occasional banging of our heads against solid objects. But regardless of the details of our processes, there are three universal components of writing: Creativity,Continue reading “Three Mindsets Needed for Writing”
Make it bigger, but no more square feet
My dad was a residential designer. He had a client once building an incredibly large and extravagant home in an exclusive neighborhood. He often told stories of this client who was opinionated and funny and ostentatious. Perfect fodder for the “you’ll never believe what Mr. K asked for today…” stories at the dinner table. AndContinue reading “Make it bigger, but no more square feet”
Eliminate the Unnecessary in Your Writing
As a book coach, I see a lot of the common problems in the manuscripts I read. It might be unclear character stakes or story trajectory issues or a bit of head hopping in those early chapters. But one thing I see a lot when I’ve got an early draft in my hands, is tooContinue reading “Eliminate the Unnecessary in Your Writing”
After Typing THE END: Tips for What’s Next
Where does most of your writing happen? In the draft stage, probably. It has to, right? Where once there was a blank page, now there are 90,000 words. Now, where does most of your story telling happen? It can be tempting to say that most of our storytelling also happens in the draft stage. It’sContinue reading “After Typing THE END: Tips for What’s Next”
The Revision Road Map is Here!
OMG, y’all! It’s here!! I am so excited to introduce you to the Revision Road Map. I know how lost a writer can feel during a revision. I have been that lost. That feeling of just wanting someone to tell you what to do already. That feeling of the end getting farther and farther away. Continue reading “The Revision Road Map is Here!”
The Trick to Mastering Show Don’t Tell In Your Fiction Writing: Be Specific
The number one piece of feedback I give writers regardless of where they are in the writing process is: BE SPECIFIC Often, a sentence or a scene or the protagonist’s stakes are entirely too vague. Vague writing only leaves readers confused, disengaged, or having to fill in the blanks based on their own experiences whichContinue reading “The Trick to Mastering Show Don’t Tell In Your Fiction Writing: Be Specific”
What’s Clicking and Clunking in Your Manuscript?
Back in the fall, during my 8th grade son’s middle school walk the schedule night, I was eagerly anticipating talking to his English teacher. It’s no surprise that English was my favorite subject in school. I’m probably not alone here, right? The reading. The essay writing. I loved all of it. Don’t get me wrong,Continue reading “What’s Clicking and Clunking in Your Manuscript?”
Writers: Don’t Let Doubt Kill Your Dreams
Doubt is an insidious little jerk. Seriously. Doubt tells us we aren’t good enough, makes us question our motives and abilities, convinces us we don’t have what it takes and probably should leave the writing to the Steven Kings or Ann Patchetts of the world. Doubt steals our motivation, stifles our creativity, and convinces usContinue reading “Writers: Don’t Let Doubt Kill Your Dreams”
Tips for Writers to Stay on Track During Revision
Revision is hard. We pull, delete, tweak, rewrite, switch order, switch tense, revisit motivations and point of view. There are endless big changes to be made and then we dig into word choice, active vs. passive voice, and punching up dialogue and description. And the process can feel endless. I know. I’m in it now.Continue reading “Tips for Writers to Stay on Track During Revision”