Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on? β J.R.R. Tolkien
Let’s Get Started
I’m excited that you’re interested in working together! To get your project started, I’d like to know more about what you’re writing and where you are in the process so I can see whether our journey together will be rewarding for both of us. After you complete the application form below, I’ll be in touch to follow up with a FREE trial edit and to learn more about your book.
If you have a general question or just want to chat, there’s no need to slay this entire beast of a form! Just send me an email: shawna@magicwordsediting.com
Friend, you might be wondering if ChatGPT (or Grammarly or ProWritingAid) will do as fine a job editing your book as a human being.
The short answer: nope. π
AI editing programs might be fine for finding minor grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. And eventually, they`ll probably get so good they`ll catch things like repetition and mixed-up words.
But right now they can`t do much more than that. π€·π»ββ
So, here are three reasons (out of many others) a human editor is always going to do a better job than AI at making your book the best it can be:
π CHARACTER NAMES ChatGPT and other software programs won`t tell you when "Catherine" becomes "Katherine" halfway through your story. <-- I *just* caught one of these in the m/s I`m working on now!
π TIMELINE ChatGPT and other software programs won`t alert you when a character says something`s going to happen on Tuesday and later it happens on Saturday. <-- I keep a detailed timeline of your book`s events to make sure it progresses logically.
π FACT-CHECKING ChatGPT and other software programs won`t check the accuracy and consistency of dates, place names, or even if the moon was shining on a night your character says it was. <!-- Yep! I`ve done that. A moon timetable is one of my most used bookmarks.
***** What are some horror stories you`ve heard about how badly AI botched an edit? Let me know in the comments below.
WHO vs. WHOM: Come jump in the deep water with me, magic writer, and learn when to use βwhoβ and when to use βwhom.β Itβs easier than you think with this trick.
π‘ WHO "Who" is used as the subject of a sentence.
>>> Example: Who wrote the letter? <<<
π‘ WHOM "Whom" is used as the object of a verb or preposition.
>>> Example: For whom was the letter intended? <<<
β THE TRICK: One neat trick you can use to figure out when to use one or the other is to invert the sentence and substitute a different pronoun: he/she, him/her, or they/them.*
>>> Who wrote the letter? <<< THEY wrote the letter. HE wrote the letter. SHE wrote the letter.
Him, her, or them don`t work in this sentence, so we choose "who."
>>> For whom was the letter intended? <<< The letter was intended for HIM. The letter was intended for HIM. The letter was intended for HER.
He, she, and they don`t work in this sentence. So "whom" is correct. (Note the M on the end: them/whom, him/whom, her/ . . . er, trust me on that one.)
π£ *BUT! Caveat time. In speaking and modern everyday usage, βwhoβ is often used in place of βwhom.β
>>> Who is the letter intended for? <<< >>> Who did you say is calling? <<<
Canβt remember which one to use? Donβt want to sound like a 19th-century grammarian?
Use "who." Itβs okay. Really. Even Shakespeare did it. π * * * #editingtips #amediting #amrevising #bookaneditor #lookingforaneditor #bookeditorneeded #publishing #writingtips #freelanceeditors #bookeditor
Happy equinox, magic writer. Hope you have a magical season, full of new projects, growth as a writer, and sunny days of dreaming up stories. * * * #spring #springequinox #spring2024 #springishere #sunnydaysahead #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting
Q: Where can I find legitimate writing workshops that will actually help me become a better writer?
A: By "help me become a better writer" I`m going to assume that what you`re looking for is a workshop that offers:
ππ» deep, constructive feedback on YOUR writing; ππ» instruction from writers who`ve found success in the field and/or themselves are excellent writers; ππ» and, perhaps, effective exercises you can apply to your own writing.
Because a combination of the above is what will get you from where you are now as a writer to where you want to be. Quickly. π
So here are four highly regarded writing workshop providers that fit the bill:
π Iowa Summer Writing Festival Affiliated with the University of Iowa`s world-renowned writing program, the festival offers in-person weekend and weeklong writing workshops on a variety of topics during June and July. You have to travel to Iowa City for the summer classes, but there are a few online workshops in April and May available if you hurry.
π Gotham Writers Workshop Or just "Gotham"βit`s that well-known. The workshops have produced National Book Award winners, NY Times bestselling authors, and an Emmy-winning TV writer. Their classes are offered online and in person, and classes are anywhere from 6β10 weeks . They also list day-long intensives if you`re in a real hurry.
π GrubStreet A nonprofit creative writing center based in Boston, GrubStreet is known for its multiweek and even year-long intensive, membership-based programs. Those puppies aren`t for the faint of heart! But they also offer writing workshops for beginning and intermediate writers. Online and in person. Scholarships are available.
π Hugo House Coming out of Seattle, Hugo House leans more "community arts center" than those listed above, but they still provide online and in-person writing workshops on anything from poetry to memoir to fiction. Lots of speculative fiction classes on tap here!
***
I`m signed up for a couple of workshops in the Iowa festival this summer. Maybe I`ll see you there!
CAN YOU SPOT THIS EDITING CONUNDRUM? How would you edit this sentence? π€
"I wanted to sit in the comfy chair with a cup of coffee in my pajamas and peck away at a keyboard."
Let me know in the comments what you`d do to fix the issue in this sentence, and see what I`d do as a professional editor. π * * * #bookeditorneeded #amediting #editingtip #amrevising #editingadvice #editingtricks #wordcountgoals
IT`S HAPPENED AGAIN! I`ve seen more social media posts lately from authors who have been burned by less than professionalβeven scammyβ"editors" and "book coaches." It doesn`t have to be this way!
Vet. Your. Service. Providers. Here`s how:
GOOGLE THEM Not just their business name (a well-known editor/book coach scammer changes their business name when the heat gets, well, hot) but also their actual name. Like this --> "Shawna Hampton" (with the quotation marks so the results show you the right person). Also search their name on TikTok, Facebook, and other social media to see what comes up.
CHECK FOR PRO MEMBERSHIPS Ask them what professional associations they belong to (Editorial Freelancers, ACES, others). If they give you one or more, go to the association`s website and search for their name in the directory. (This same well-known book coach scammer lies about being an EFA member. A quick directory search proves otherwise.)
BONUS Writer Beware (www.writerbeware.com) exposes writing-related scams and has entries about well-known editor and book coach scammers. πππ Give them a visit to see if the person you`re thinking of hiring is included. * * * #editing #publishing #writingtips #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity #authorsofinstagram
If you`ve got a sticky plot point that you can`t get moving, try keeping a dream journal for a week or two. See what situations pop up in your dreams that you can adapt to your WIP.
Give it a try, and if you have great results, come back here and post in the comments. Or if you`ve had a go at this in the past, let me know belowβmaybe you`ll inspire someone! * * * #writingchallenge #dreams #writingtips #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity
The dreaded SYNOPSIS. π±ππ Writers hate writing them, but they really do help sell your book to agents . . . if they`re done right.
Here are a few tips for synopsis writing that might make it easier AND help you get more requests β‘β‘β‘
Jane Friedman in her article "How to Write a Novel or Memoir Synopsis" says the #1 mistake writers make in a synopsis is writing just a recitation of plot events.
"First, they went here. Then they went there. Next there was an explosion. And then a dragon rescued them . . ."
π DON`T DO THAT. π
Instead, use a handy formula she describes to add color and meaning to the plot description:
βDetermined to find the gold, the band of adventurers sets out on an epic quest. After an erupting volcano makes them reconsider their life choices, theyβre rescued by a friendly dragon . . .β
INCIDENT: "the band of adventurers set out . . ."
COLOR: "Determined to find the gold"
INCIDENT: "an erupting volcano"
COLOR/DECISION: they "reconsider their life choices"
INCIDENT: "they`re rescued by a friendly dragon"
And so on . . .
For every plot point (incident) you describe in your synopsis, include the charactersβ reactions and emotions to the incident.
Then show how the incident and the charactersβ responses lead to the decisions they make, that then lead to the next incident . . . and rinse, repeat.
This helps show an agent the story (concisely!), demonstrates the plot`s cause-and-effect engine, and injects some emotion and excitement into your synopsis. All very important things to getting their attention and perhaps a full request!
If you`d like more synopsis-writing tips, read Friedman`s excellent article at the link in my bio. * * * #querywriting #querytips #booksynopsis #writingtips #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity
A host of daffodils (and other flowers), blooming in my little river town! I love going on early spring nature walks. Everything feels so fresh and alive. * * * #spring #stcharlesmo #historicmainstreetstcharles #writersofinstagramf #writing #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity #authorsofinstagram #authors #authorsofig #indieauthor #indieauthors #indieauthorsofinstagram
"When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze." βWilliam Wordsworth
Spring is nearly here! I see daffodils popping up everywhere I go. When I come across these "hosts of golden daffodils," I always think of this poem, one of the first I really studied deeply in high school English class.
And I always wonder if Wordsworth could have known how powerful his words would be, even centuries later.
Keep writing those words. You never know how deeply they`ll affect someone, or for how long. * * * #iamwriting #writingcommunityofig #aspiringauthor #indieauthorsofinstagram #newauthor #writingadvice #indieauthor #authorsofig #writersofinsta #wordcountgoals #supportindieauthors #indiesareworthit #writerlife
Youβve seen those comments: readers pointing out mistakes theyβve found in self-published books. Or using typos in traditionally published books as justification for not hiring professional editors.
Recently, Iβve seen several social media posts from editors in response promising to make an authorβs manuscript βperfect.β
Sorry to say, thatβs misleading. π€π¬π€₯
Based on science behind error catch rates, here`s why an error-free manuscript isnβt possible.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS PERFECTION A study by Dr. Ray Panko of the University of Hawaii found that professional proofreaders caught on average only 81% of nonword errors and 66% of word errors in lab-based proofreading experiments. The highest percentage catch rate of all the studiesβ β βmeaning the highest that can be humanly expected in a lab settingβwas 95%.
AKA: If you send a m/s with 3,000 errors in it to an editor, the best you can expect is 150 of them left behind. 3000 x .05 = 150
EDITING DOESN`T HAPPEN IN A PERFECT WORLD Editors donβt edit in a controlled environment. They edit in the real world, on real manuscripts, authored by real humans. They themselves are humans, and many factors specific to being human and the nature of publishing a book affect that 95% catch rate: manuscript quality, number of rounds, length of deadline, editor experience/training.
"ERRORS" CAN BE A MATTER OF STYLE Itβs common that readers mistake style choices, such as specific lowercasing or capitalization recommendations from The Chicago Manual of Style, for errors.
Theyβre not. Theyβre just different ways of styling language. All "correct."
AN EDITOR IS ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SO MUCH Once the manuscript is out of the editorβs hands, he or she has no more responsibility for errors that might be reintroduced or new ones made during the review/publishing process.
So maybe that silly typo an editor caught, flagged, and corrected crept back in through no fault of theirs. It happens, and more than you might realize.
Congrats to client Tori Weed @toriweed on the release of her stunning debut novel, The Weight of Wishes!
I was thrilled to do a Style Tune-Up (line edit) of this amazing epic fae fantasy. Check it out:
"If dreams can come true, it is vital to remember that nightmares, well, they exist too.
Seren was only four when the Stellean king killed her mother. Sixteen years his servant, Seren understands her place in his cruel court: Stay quiet. Stay out of trouble. And most importantly, stay alive.
But now, the Fae king wants her dead too, and there is only one way to stop him.
Thrust into a challenge not undertaken for centuries, Seren must navigate trials more dangerous and twisted than she could ever imagine.
With the fate of her kingdom hanging in the balance, can Seren defy the odds and uncover the truth about her past?
The clock is ticking. The gods are watching."
Put this one on your list! Get it at: https://t.ly/3gINs
That awful feeling when you sit down to write and nothing comes out. That sound of goals swirling down the drain. That certainty that you`ll never be able to write another word again.
Yeah. It`s happened to me, too.
Over the years, I`ve developed a few ways to help myself get unstuck, and I plan on sharing as many as I can in the coming monthsβalong with some I`ve learned from other writers.
This month, here`s a solid go to: FREEWRITING
With freewriting, you put aside any plans or outlines or goals, put pen to paper (or hands to keyboard), set a timer, and just . . . write. Anything that comes to mind. Even if it`s simply, "I can`t think of anything to write," over and over.
Don`t worry about what comes out. Don`t worry about grammar, or spelling, or "correctness" of any kind.
Simply write words.
You might be surprised to find that eventually, the dam breaks and what you end up writing resembles a scene or a chapter in your WIP. Or you solve a sticky plot point or character motivation.
Give it a try, and let me know how it works for you! * * * #writingadvice #indieauthor #authorsofig #writersofinsta #wordcountgoals #supportindieauthors #indiesareworthit #writerlife
QUICK EDITING TIP: Quotations and "quotes within quotes"
Magic writer, if you have a line of dialogue where a character quotes another character`s speech, how do you punctuate that? I`ll show you!
From The Chicago Manual of Style: Quoted words, phrases, and sentences . . . are enclosed in double quotation marks. Single quotation marks enclose quotations within quotations;
"Wait!" Henry exclaimed. "Mr. Jones said, in his words, to `stay off his lawn if you know what`s good for you.`" <--- note the single quotation marks around the words Mr. Jones spoke; also note they come A F T E R the period
Have you ever gone on a writing retreat? Are you considering one this year to help you get that book written? Here are three ways to make the most of that time alone devoted to your writing.
SET GOALS The first thing to do is get clear on what you want to get out of the retreat. A finished book? A certain word count? Set some realistic, measurable goals for your time that would make the retreat a success.
BLOCK YOUR TIME You have an ocean of free time ahead of you, without distractions or obligations. It`s a good idea to set at least a loose schedule to keep yourself on track. Block out when you`ll write, plan, read, even sleep and eat. That will help keep you on track and focused so you don`t end the retreat wondering where all your time went.
PLAN AHEAD Whether you`re going away somewhere exotic or staying close to home for your retreat, you`ll still need to do human things like eat, exercise, maybe even do some laundry. Plan out your meals and snacks and buy groceries ahead of time. Pack all the chargers and materials you`ll need. Figure out what your accommodations offer in the way of work space and activities. This will all help you keep your life needs from intruding on your precious writing time.
*** Over to you! If you`ve ever done a retreat, tell me about it in the comments. Where did you go? (Bonus points if it was somewhere exotic!) How did it help your writing? I`d love to know! * * * #indieauthorsunite #selfpublishedauthor #indiebooks #fantasywriter #fantasyauthor #indieauthorcommunity #aspiringauthorsofig
If you sell your book on Amazon, you N E E D to have a great book description. It`s more important than you might think for capturing reader interest (and π°). Here are some tips for making it a superstar sales tool from the great book The Amazon Author Formula by Penny C. Sansevieri:
π― KEEP IT SIMPLE Don`t write a long, complex synopsis of the entire story. Reading large chunks of text makes people tired (and more likely to click away). Concentrate on the important and most exciting parts of the book, and make them snappy.
π― MAKE IT SCANNABLE Break up your text into short paragraphs and do what you can to help reader eyes scan it: add bullets, bolding, headings, or other formatting to highlight the good stuff.
π― INCLUDE KEYWORDS You know those keywords you`ve researched to help readers find your book on Amazon? (You HAVE done the research, right?) Put them in the book description.
π― MENTION REVIEWS/AWARDS If you`ve won awards for your writing, put them in. If you`ve gotten reviews of your book from big-name folks (or even not so big name), put them in. (Use a portion, not the whole thing.)
π― PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD Don`t put up a book description full of errors and typos. If you wouldn`t put out a book without editing, don`t do the same for your sales page. Proofread carefully, or hire an editor to look over ALL your marketing materials.
*** Was this helpful? Let me know in the comments, or give it a like and share! ππ»ππ»
WHAT I`M READING: Dreaming on the Page by Tzivia Gover.
Magic writer, do you have interesting, epic dreams?
From the time I was a wee young`un, I`ve had the most amazing, twisty, cuckoo-for-Cocoa-Puffs dreams. When I describe them to people, they always say, "You should write that as a story!" Believe me, I`ve tried. They never stick around long enough to get them down on paper.
Enter this amazing book! Gover has written a supercharged manual for vivid dreamers-turned-writers who want to mine their nightly mind movies for the good stuff.
LIKES: Right off the bat, Gover has a section of tips for remembering your dreams that I found super helpful, followed by steps for setting up your dream-writing practice so it`s most effective. Then, the bulk of the book consists of exercises and writing prompts for mining your dream journaling for the good stuff to turn it into poems and stories. I loved this structure. Working my way through the prompts and her gentle guidance has been (ahem) eye-opening. I`ve learned so much about how I write AND how I tick. The last third offers some guidance for packing your dream stories up for publication, which I know will be helpful when I get to that point, and for creating what the author calls "dream circles": writing groups centered around dream writing.
DISLIKES: None! This was a superb book in every way, from the content to the interior design to the cover. Even the paper it`s printed on was beautiful.
Rating: π π π π π (out of 5)
Friend, have you ever written a story based on a dream? I`d love to know about it in the comments below. If not, and you`re intrigued by the idea, pick up this book to get you started! * * * #bookstagram #booktok #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookstagramfollowtrain #bookstack #indieauthorsunite #selfpublishedauthor #indiebooks #writingadvice
A: If you`re ready to begin your querying journey for your book and need to find agents, the first place I recommend you look is Query Tracker. It`s a huge database of literary agents and allows you to search on multiple criteria. Not only that, though, it also offers tools to help you track what queries you`ve sent and to whom, replies to your queries, status of your queries, and much more.
Other resources include:
ππ» Manuscript Wishlist: Also a search engine for agents, MSWL allows agents to post the types of books they`re interested in to help you tailor your targeting.
ππ» Publishers Marketplace: PM is THE industry news source. This is a good stop to research agents and see the recent deals they`ve made, which might help you put together that important comps list.
ππ» Guide to Literary Agents: Don`t discount this iconic guide from Writer`s Digest. Available in print and e-book formats, this is a giant list of agents and the agencies they work for, plus what genres they represent. Although it can get out of date quickly, it could be a great fallback in your agent-research toolbox.
Are there any words that sneakily sound the same that you mix up sometimes? Let me know in the comments below! * * * #amediting #editingtip #amrevising #editingadvice #editingtricks #wordcountgoals
Magic writer, do you need an unbiased, professional opinion of your novel draft?
I have the perfect service for you! A Story Diagnostic is a review of your manuscriptβin whatever shape it`s currently inβfrom a professional reader and trained editor (me!) to spot craft issues: plot holes, worldbuilding craters, character development issues, structure baubles, pacing peccadillos. Even while the draft is still in progress!
Most writing advice tells you to wait until your draft is complete before you send it off to beta readers. I totally agree! But asking a beta reader, who is probably not a trained developmental editor, to read the first draft is not a great idea. It`s too easy for them to get lost in (let`s face it) the word salad that is an early draft.
However, having an editor`s eye, one trained in specific clues that indicate story problems, one trained to give targeted, actionable, and, most importantly, KIND feedback at that early stage? Well, you do the math about how much time that could save you in rewrites. πβπ¨πβπ¨πβπ¨
In a Diagnostic, you`ll get:
π A letter of 8β12 pages containing my thoughts about your story`s strengths, any opportunities I see for revision, and recommendations for specific ways you can improve it π In-manuscript comments with targeted, laser-focused advice π Answers to 5 follow-up questions to support your revisions π Kindness, encouragement, and a one-woman cheering section!
It`s easy to apply for a Story DiagnosticβDM me or click the link in my bio. π * * * #bookeditorneeded #indieauthorsunite #indieauthorcommunity #aspiringauthorsofig
Happy first Monday of February! Here`s a little motivation for your month from Chuck Wendig`s wonderful middle-grade book, You Can Do Anything, Magic Skeleton:
Begin by remembering that the easiest thing to do Is to reject yourself Before anyone else can reject you (<--- πΆπ΅ ouch! this slapped me hard today) But f*** that noise Make THEM do the dirty work Put yourself out there Bold, effulgent, gold You`re a star They don`t want to navigate by you? Then they can get lost
*************************************
What do you think, magic writer? Let`s not reject ourselves first this month, mmmkay? ππ€π» * * * #impostorsyndrome #writethatbook #mondaymotivation #indieauthorsunite #selfpublishedauthor #supportindieauthors #indiesareworthit #writerlife
Magic writer, do you get anxiety when you show your writing to someone? Does your stomach clench at the though of someone reading your words and **gulp** giving their opinion? π±π¬
I have some ideas that might teach you how to overcome your fear of sharing your writing.
π― REMEMBER THAT YOUR WORK ISN`T YOU Yes, when you write, you pour a lot of yourself into your creative output.
But ultimately, the work you produce is just that: a result.
The words on the page are not who you are. So try not to take someone elseβs opinion personally.
π― REMEMBER THAT CRITICISM IS NEVER ABOUT YOUR WORK When someone offers criticism or critique or even praise, they speak out of their truth, not the truth. What they say is more about themβ β β β βtheir worldview and internal makeupβ β β β and what emotions and fears theyβre bringing to the table in that particular momentβand less about you and your efforts.
π― REMEMBER THAT EVERYONE FEELS LIKE A FRAUD Everyone at some point in their creative journey will feel like a big old fraud. When impostor syndrome rears its head to ask, βWho do you think you are?β
Answer it. Say, βIβm a writer, thatβs who.β
π― REMEMBER THERE`S NO SUCH THING AS PERFECTION If something is perfect, thereβs nothing we can learn from it.
Giving our writing exposure helps us find the rough edges. Having that information helps us improve not only the work but also ourselves as writers.
Every critique is a chance to grow and become better writersβ βand people.
π― REMEMBER TO NAME YOUR FEARS FEAR stands for False Evidence Appearing Real.
Fear looks and sounds so big and tough because itβs an unknown.
One way to turn that fear paper tiger into a baby kitten is to make the unknown into a known. Figure out exactly what youβre afraid of, and it wonβt seem so scary then.
π‘ One last thought: The best way to overcome your fear of sharing your writing is to just do it again and again and again, until it doesnβt hurt anymore
Learn more at the link in my bio! * * * #indieauthorsunite #selfpublishedauthor #indiebooks #fantasywriter #fantasyauthor #indieauthorcommunity
π₯³π Happy launch day to client Andrea Rome @andreahrome on her debut novel, The Standard Book of Anything!
It was my honor to do a Full Editing Journey (manuscript evaluation + line edit) on Andrea`s stunning cozy fantasy, a perfect story to read on cold winter nights, a cup of tea in hand:
"Emaline Strider fixes everything that breaks in her small village of Brookerby. When the Warding Tree of Protection crashes to the ground and cripples the town, Em is up for the challenge of finding a solution.
As she travels south to the glamorous capital city, she finds magic all around her. A shape-shifting book guides her. A never-empty flask sustains her. An improbable relationship blossoms. But can Em trust magic when her hammer and pliers are infinitely more reliable?
When the empress threatens her life and friends double-cross her, magic seems downright dangerous. Suddenly, a simple repair has become a race against the empire to save the only home she has ever known."
Definitely put this one on your TBR list, near the top!
After a whirlwind year of amazing editing projects, I`m giving myself an extended holiday break. Whew!
Until January 8, I`ll be quiet on all social channels to rest, recharge, reflect and enjoy the magic and peace of the holiday seasonβas well as plan and prepare a slew of editing tutorials, tips, special offers, and other interesting (and funny!) content for you.
I hope your holidays are filled with joy and love, magic writer. I`ll see you in 2024!
Magic writer, if you`re starting your first revision pass of that NaNoWriMo project over the holiday break, do you know what to focus on this round? What revisions are appropriate at this stage? Here are some suggestions from The Magic of Fiction by Beth Hill:
FIRST PASS REVISIONS
π¬ Boring dialogue: flag any speech that doesn`t sing.
π₯ Over-description: watch out for areas that get a bit flowery or purple with description.
π Flow and clarity: mark spots that might confuse a reader or don`t seem to flow from idea to idea very well.
β Missing information: note places that are missing what I call "connective tissue," or transitional language that moves a reader from scene to scene and paragraph to paragraph.
π³ Plot holes: highlight any glaring plot holes to fill in later.
This list isn`t at all exhaustive; in fact, Hill suggests marking anything and everything on a first revision pass that strikes you as questionable, even grammar, repetition, and the like.
The most important tip: always note a problem when you first see it, and never assume you`ll remember it without that notation.
Over to you: If you`re working on revision this month, how`s it going? Let me know in the comments below! * * * #nanowrimo #campnanowrimo #wrimo #nano #nanowrimo2023 #campnano #instawrimo
Winter project lineup! After the holidays, I`ll be cozying up to a slew of amazing stories for indie author clients and traditional publishers. On deck:
πΈπ» A high fantasy featuring a bad-ass princess getting the line-editing touch
β€βπ₯ A new one for meβa modern psychological thriller sure to keep me on my toes, ready for a final read through before publishing
π§π» The manuscript assessment + line edit of a sequel to a present-day vampire tale I worked on last year (I looooove sequels!)
π΅π» Another new one! A cozy mystery getting a m/s assessment + line editing glow up
π§π» And, a line edit of a unique urban vampire story with a never-saw-it-coming twist
WHEW!!
My waitlist has been extended to MAY of 2024.
Want to put your name on the list? It`s first come, first served, and I schedule from the list around the beginning of every month. Here`s how to get on it:
π― Visit this link: www.magicwordsediting.com π Send me a DM ππ» Or click the link in my bio
Magic writers, which one are you? (Comment π± or πΆ below!)
π± You endlessly tweak and revise and tweak again and rewrite and edit and . . . and . . . your novel never seems to be finished.
πΆ Bang out 75,000 words in three weeks, slap a title on it, and call it good.
Which hypothetical draft would YOU consider ready for editing? Would it surprise you to know the answer isβneither?
So, how do you know if your manuscript is ready for the attention of an editor? Here are the questions I ask each potential client when I`m evaluating this very thing:
π Have you written multiple drafts? (At _least_ two.) π€π» Have you gotten feedback from critique partners and/or beta readers? (Opinions vary on when this should occur, but I hold to "before editing" as the right time.) β¨ Have you worked out the major issues in your story based on critique or beta feedback? (See the caveat below.)
If the answer to those questions is "YES!"βyou`re probably ready for editing. And, if you`re not sure, your editor will tell you if it needs more revision before she can work her magic (or she should).
CAVEAT: Major issues of your story should ABSOLUTELY be resolved before language editing (line or copy). I define major issues as plot holes, character development, pacing, etc.βthings that take rewriting/revision to fix. It`s not smart to smooth language or fix grammar/usage/mechanics/spelling errors if you`ll be tinkering with structural rewrites.
BUT, if you still need help with some sticky story problems, and you`ve taken revision as far as you can, engaging a developmental editor is a great idea at that point! * * * #bookeditorneeded #selfpublishedauthor #amediting #editingtip #amrevising #editingadvice #editingtricks #wordcountgoals
Christmas is extra magical this year in my quaint little river town. I`m so lucky to live in a place with history, charm, and a bit of lovely sparkle. ππ * * * #stcharlesmo #stcharles #historicmainstreetstcharles #mainstreetstcharles #christmas2023
Tori`s book was so much fun to work on, and I can`t wait to work with HER again, too!
"As a first time author, the editing process was super overwhelming. That was until I met Shawna, and I knew immediately my manuscript was in good hands. From our first communication to our most recent, Shawna has been kind, clear, insightful, and just the best to work with. Upon receiving her edits, it was clear how much work Shawna put into her services and I am so grateful I could have her talent on my story. Because of Shawna`s style tune-up I am certain my book is in much better condition than before and I hope to work with her again!" β TORI WEED
Magic writer, what`s the best writing-related gift you`ve ever gotten? Or what`s your go-to gift for a writer friend or family member?
It`s gift-giving season, and we could all use some ideas for those writerly loved ones. Spill the tea in the comments below! * * * #writing #writersofinstagram #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity #authorsofinstagram #authors #authorsofig #indieauthor #indieauthors #indieauthorsofinstagram #fantasywriter #horrorwriter #scifiwriter #fantasyauthor #writersnetwork #novelist #writingcommunityofig #horrorcommunity #fantasynovel #writerslife
Writers, if you`re in need of some fresh writing inspiration to revive a flagging writing practice, I have some resources for youβfour books that soothed my writer`s soul last year and set me on a new path to embracing and supporting my writing as an essential part of my self. Maybe they`ll help you too!
PEP TALKS FOR WRITERS by Grant Faulkner Written by the executive director of NaNoWriMo, these short "pep talks" cover everything from generating ideas to impostor syndrome. They`re sure to give you a fresh perspective when you`re stuck.
WRITING DOWN THE BONES by Natalie Goldberg Presented as meditative essays on building and strengthening a writing practice, Goldberg offers exercises, advice, and vignettes from her 30 years as a writer to help you approach your practice with new eyes.
WRITING PAST DARK by Bonnie Friedman If you`ve lost your writing way because of envy, fear, writer`s block, or distraction, reach for a chapter in this book for clues on how to get unstuck.
A WRITER`S GUIDE TO PERSISTENCE by Jordan Rosenfeld Full of journaling prompts and advice for balancing your writing life with your, well, actual life, this book could be a great weekly "recovery" practice for writers who have lost their practice or need to build a new one.
So, tell me: What books (or other resources) have inspired you or helped heal your writing practice? Let me know in the comments below. * * * #editorslife #editing #writingmeme #writersblock #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity #authorsofinstagram #authors #authorsofig #indieauthor #indieauthors #indieauthorsofinstagram #freelanceeditors #editor #bookeditor #fantasywriter #horrorwriter #scifiwriter #magicwordsediting #fantasyauthor #writersnetwork #novelist #writingcommunityofig #horrorcommunity #fantasynovel #writerslife #selfpublishing
I`m booked with editing projects until March 2024. But! If you`re the type who loves to plan ahead, or you have a spring publishing schedule, sign up now to get on my waitlist for the following services:
ππ» line editing ππ» copy editing ππ» story assessments ππ» query assessments and editing
Waitlist members are contacted on a first come, first served rolling basis.
Want to add your name?
π― Visit this link: www.magicwordsediting.com π Send me a DM ππ» Or click the link in my bio
*Got a smaller project? I might be able to work you in before my next opening. Let`s talk!
"The first draft is just you telling yourself the story." β attributed to Terry Pratchett
Did you finish #NaNoWriMo2023 yesterday, friend? Whether you reached 50,000 words or 50 β CONGRATULATIONS!
You`ve taken the very first step toward a published novel: writing the first draft.
As you continue on this journey, keep these words of wisdom from (probably) Terry Pratchett in mind. You`ve now told yourself the story; from here, every revision will build upon the bare structure you put down. * * * #indieauthorsunite #selfpublishedauthor #indiebooks #fantasywriter #fantasyauthor #indieauthorcommunity
Now that #NaNoWriMo2023 is drawing to a close, you might be wondering what to do with your 50,000 words. One thought: get a manuscript assessment!
What is a manuscript assessment, and how can it help YOUR book? Answers below! ππ»
Definitions differ, but I describe a manuscript assessment as a review of your manuscript in its current state to evaluate whatever questions you might have about your draft.
Craft issues like plot, character development, pacing? Check.
The right publishing path for your completed book? You bet.
Genre and/or audience appropriateness? Yes!
Any and all of the above, and more. It`s super versatile.
And, while some editors believe a m/s assessment should only be done on a final revised copy, I disagree and offer them for even first drafts.
Here`s how a m/s assessment could help your book:
OVERALL GUIDANCE: Find out if your story`s on the right track (perfect for NaNoWriMo projects)
A SECOND SET OF EYES: A trained editor`s help to find open plot holes or unanswered questions (before readers do)
GENERATE IDEAS/OUTLINES: Get unstuck through a brainstorm of ideas or even an outline for your rewrite
HELP WITH STORY CONVENTIONS: Confirm your story fits your desired audience or genre
ID WRITING ISSUES: Pinpoint writing habits that need to go in the final draft
TRIM WORD COUNT: Learn the best ways to trim word count (or add words)
FIND A PUBLISHING PATH: Get a recommendation for the best publishing path for the book
Find out more about the benefits of a manuscript assessment (hint: it`s usually cheaper than a dev edit!) at the link in my bio.
Over to you: Have you ever gotten a manuscript assessment on a draft? Let me know in the comments! * * * #amediting #editingtip #amrevising #editingadvice
Are you thiiiiisss close to finishing #NaNoWriMo2023? CONGRATS!
After you`ve let that 50K words sit for a hot minute, self-editing is the next step on your publishing journey.
But what do you tackle first? What`s appropriate to fix on this first pass? Here are a few ideas:
π€·π» THINGS THAT DON`T BELONG: Look for story threads, characters, or events that don`t belong. (Remember to remove ALL references to whatever you take out!)
π€¨SCENES WHERE NOTHING HAPPENS: Got a scene that meanders or has no impact on the plot or characters? Nix it.
ππ REPEATING SCENES/SPEECH/EVENTS: If your characters say or do the same things more than once in different parts of the story, take out the repeats.
π΅βπ« CONTINUITY ERRORS: If a character or object appears where he or it shouldn`t or in a way that shouldn`t happen, flag it and fix it. (Anyone remember the Starbucks cup in Game of Thrones? Ouch.)
π€ͺ LOGIC PROBLEMS: Story elements and events need to make sense. If they don`t, take them out or revise.
Over to you, friend. What`s something hilarious you found on your first pass through one of your books? Let me know in the comments! * * * #editingtips #amediting #amrevising #publishing #writingtips #supportindieauthors #writinganovel
Magic writer, are you hearing from beta readers or your dev editor that your dialogue is . . . off? πβπ¨ That your characters sound stilted or emotionless? π Or, more vaguely, that your readers aren`t "connecting" with the characters? π¬ (Which could mean there`s a problem with how they "talk" on the page.)
Renni Browne and Dave King in Self-Editing for Fiction Writers say, ". . . creation of character voice . . . is one of you greatest challenges as a writer." Putting aside the obvious, there are some tricks you can use to add life and voice to your dialogue so it not only sounds natural but also adds characterization.
π¬ READ YOUR DIALOGUE ALOUD First, you should always read your dialogue aloud. Just reading it silently on the page increases the chance that you`ll pass over stiff conversation. Reading it aloud brings your ear to the text, and flat, lifeless dialogue will jump out at you because it doesn`t sound right.
π¬ AVOID (MOST) UNUSUAL SPELLINGS/DIALECT If a character has an accent or regional dialect, be careful with trying to convey that through unusual spellings. If those are heavy-handed, the dialogue isn`t read so much as translatedβand probably tough to get through.
π¬ INTRODUCE INFORMALITY Stiff dialogue = formal dialogue. Most people don`t speak formally in regular conversation. Introduce contractions, sentence fragments, and slang. Play with punctuation to vary the rhythm. And . . .
π¬ CHECK FOR INFO DUMPS Try to avoid using dialogue as a way to dump information. (In the editing world, this is known as an "As you know, Bob.") You can certainly use dialogue for exposition, but make sure your characters have a reason for saying their lines beyond just giving the reader backstory or character info.
Those are just four of many ways to bring some pizazz to your dialogue. What other tricks do you use in your writing? Or what are you struggling with in writing dialogue? Let me know in the comments! * * * #bookeditorneeded #selfpublishedauthor #indiebooks #fantasywriter #fantasyauthor #indiepublishing #aspiringauthorsofig
Magic writer, do you need an unbiased, professional opinion of your novel draft?
I have the perfect service for you! A Story Diagnostic is a review of your manuscriptβin whatever shape it`s currently inβfrom a professional reader and trained editor (me!) to spot craft issues: plot holes, worldbuilding craters, character development issues, structure baubles, pacing peccadillos. Even while the draft is still in progress!
Most writing advice tells you to wait until your draft is complete before you send it off to beta readers. I totally agree! But asking a beta reader, who is probably not a trained developmental editor, to read the first draft is not a great idea. It`s too easy for them to get lost in (let`s face it) the word salad that is an early draft.
However, having an editor`s eye, one trained in specific clues that indicate story problems, one trained to give targeted, actionable, and, most importantly, KIND feedback at that early stage? Well, you do the math about how much time that could save you in rewrites. πβπ¨πβπ¨πβπ¨
In a Diagnostic, you`ll get:
π A letter of 8β12 pages containing my thoughts about your story`s strengths, any opportunities I see for revision, and recommendations for specific ways you can improve it π In-manuscript comments with targeted, laser-focused advice π Answers to 5 follow-up questions to support your revisions π Kindness, encouragement, and a one-woman cheering section!
It`s easy to apply for a Story DiagnosticβDM me or click the link in my bio. π * * * #bookeditorneeded #indieauthorsunite #indieauthorcommunity #aspiringauthorsofig #horrorwritersofinstagram #fantasyauthors #writershelpingwriters #bookeditor #copyeditor #proofreader #writingtips #indiesareworthit #indiepublishingcommunity #amediting #amrevising #fictionwriter #amwritingfantasy #novelwriting #amwritingscifi #amwritinghorror #supportindieauthors #selfpublishedauthor #writingprocess #newauthor #amwritingfiction #aspiringauthor #indiebooks #writinganovel #firstdraftclub #newwritersclub
πΊ How should you style titles for media like movies, TV shows, or podcasts in your book? Italics? Quotes? Both? Here`s what The Chicago Manual of Style has to say:
8.189: Titles for movies, television, radio, and podcasts
Titles of movies (or films) and movie series and of television, radio, and podcast programs and series are italicized. A single episode in a television, radio, or podcast series is set in roman and enclosed in quotation marks.
Ah, so a little of column A, a little of column B!
An example, using a TV show:
The title of my favorite show, ππ‘ππ ππππ: πβπ πππ₯π‘ πΊππππππ‘πππ, would be italicized.
And "Chain of Command" (the *best* episode, IMO) is in quotes.
π€ BONUS: What about YouTube channels?
If we`re talking about the name of the channel (like The Creative Penn, Joanna Penn`s channel), then italicize that puppy.
If we`re styling an episode from a YT channel, put that sucker in quotes: "Writing Poetry in the Dark" from πβπ πΆππππ‘ππ£π ππππ.
Got any other burning questions over Chicago style? Happy to help you out! Let me know in the comments, or you can send me a DM. * * * #editingtips #amediting #amrevising #bookaneditor #lookingforaneditor #bookeditorneeded #publishing #writingtips #freelanceeditors #bookeditor
Week 2 of NaNoWriMo is doneβyou`re halfway through, magic writer!
I know this last week probably felt like slagging through quicksand in the depths of the Swamp of Despair, but don`t give up now. The second week is notoriously hard, and I guarantee, if you keep going, it gets much easier from here.
Tell me your war stories below in the comments. I`d love to hear them! * * * #nanowrimo #campnanowrimo #supportindieauthors #writinganovel #writinggoals #wordcount #wrimo #nano #campnano #instawrimo
Are you inserting enough conflict into your book? π€ It`s one of the most important drivers of a good story, and every scene and chapter needs it to some degree to keep readers engaged.
As Beth Hill in The Magic of Fiction puts it: "It`s what keeps the plot churning and characters amped up. It makes events unfold and holds readers glued to the page. At its most basic level, conflict is disagreement, typically disagreement that`s not instantly resolved . . . As you edit, check every scene for conflict. Every single one. If conflict is absent, add it. No scene is only filler, free of tension or some kind of disagreement."
Er, great. But how do you add conflict? Not every scene can (or should) put your characters into heart-pounding arguments or fights or against insurmountable obstacles. So, what are some lower-key ways to introduce conflict that serve to move the story along?
π£ UNFAMILIAR SITUATIONS Put a character into a situation that raises their anxiety or makes them feel a bit insecure/ask questions of themself. Then they can discover what they`re made of or who they are in relation to that situation.
π£ OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS Place two characters together who hold opposing viewpoints. Add some dialogue that pits those viewpoints against one another. See what happens.
π£ DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS Give your characters wildly different backgrounds. Put them in a high-stakes situation and see how each background causes them to react.
π£ DENY A DESIRE Does your character want money? Fame? A grande iced caramel macchiato? All three? Deny him those desires and see what he does to get what he wants.
π£ INTRODUCE UNCERTAINTY Similar to the first one, introduce an element of uncertainty to a situation. Is a friend really a friend? Is your character on the right track? If he makes a certain choice, will it get him what he wants?
So, what are some of your favorite conflicts you`ve added to scenes or stories? Let me know in the comments below. * * * #writersofinsta #amediting #editingtip #amrevising #editingadvice #editingtricks #wordcountgoals
I`m booked with editing projects until March 2024. But! If you`re the type who loves to plan ahead, or you have a spring publishing schedule, sign up now to get on my waitlist for the following services:
ππ» line editing ππ» copy editing ππ» story assessments ππ» query assessments and editing
Waitlist members are contacted on a first come, first served rolling basis.
Want to add your name?
π― Visit this link: www.magicwordsediting.com π Send me a DM ππ» Or click the link in my bio
*Got a smaller project? I might be able to work you in before my next opening. Let`s talk!
"If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word." β Margaret Atwood
True words from the queen herself. We`re midway through #NaNoWriMo2023 . . . keep getting those words down, friend. Don`t worry about perfection, just write. * * * #indieauthorsunite #selfpublishedauthor #indiebooks #fantasywriter #fantasyauthor #indieauthorcommunity #aspiringauthorsofig