I’ve worked on many amazing projects, from epic fantasies to sweeping sci-fi thrillers to poignant memoirs from badass babes. Below is a selection of titles from my portfolio of traditionally and self-published books. Click each title to support the authors with a purchase.*
A SELECTION OF WORKS BY AUTHORS PUBLISHED WITH TOR, TORDOTCOM, NIGHTFIRE, FORGE, BRAMBLE, ST. MARTIN’S PRESS, WEDNESDAY BOOKS.
A SELECTION OF WORKS BY AWESOME INDIE AUTHOR CLIENTS.
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!
As a first-time author, I finally took the big plunge and sent my book out for editing. I can't say enough good things about Shawna and her Story Diagnostic. Not only did she help me identify the problem areas in my manuscript, but she also offered up innovative ideas for fixing them. Throughout the whole process, she was enthusiastic and responsive. I truly got the feeling that editing is a passion of hers and not just a job. I would recommend Shawna without a doubt and look forward to working with her in the future.
I was at a point in my process where I needed to know if the story I had in my head was the one that I was putting into words. Shawna’s Story Diagnostic was thorough and encouraging. It gave me the energy to carry on to the next phase of my novel. She is warm and encouraging, yet practiced and professional. I trust her feedback, her advice, and her commitment to the content she is reviewing and the relationship she in turn builds with her clients! 10/10 Would recommend!
Magic Words has been invaluable to my editing process and writing journey. As a first-time author, I had a lot of anxiety and imposter syndrome, but I felt supported through this whole process and left feeling empowered despite having a lot of work left to do. All I can say is thank you, and I’ll be back.
Shawna's editing is adept, respectful, and intelligent. She is also a creative thinker just brimming with outside-the-box ideas and inspiration. I have no doubt Shawna will be an enormous asset for any writer or publisher who teams up with Magic Words Editorial Services. I think she’s a little bit magic herself.
Shawna's copyedit was extremely helpful because she corrected things that I couldn't see on my own. Her suggestions and edits fit within the flow of the story and my personal style. I never once felt a suggestion changed the integrity of the story, only enhanced, cleaned up, and made it better—exactly what a writer needs from an editor.
Shawna was a delight to work with. From the beginning, she was very communicative and made sure I was comfortable with the timeline and the deliverables. Her developmental edits were thoughtful and thorough. Her line edits brought out the best in my story and made it infinitely more readable. Throughout the whole process, Shawna sent me updates and left encouraging notes. This was an ideal editing experience! I would recommend Shawna to any aspiring author looking to take their story to the next level.
I was more than pleased (delighted! invigorated!) with Shawna's query assessment and happily made the changes she suggested. I appreciate the depth and understanding of her recommendations and really believed she had my best interests at heart.
Working with Shawna was a wonderful experience. From the beginning, she homed in on what I liked about the book, which was the rhythm of the language, and she kept that intact throughout her detailed and thoughtful editing.
I felt that she was an ally as I read through the remarks, and everything she noted was valid, clear, and helpful. At every stage, Shawna is professional and present. I would recommend her to any writer.
Congrats to client Hokunani Sorci on her debut release today of her anthology of terrifying tales, perfect for Halloween reading!
My Dreadful Dreams, available on Amazon (see the link in my bio) and as a delightfully spooky audiobook on all the platforms. 👻🎊
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#writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity #authorsofinstagram #authors #authorsofig #indieauthor #indieauthors #indieauthorsofinstagram
Oct 1
Happy October! It`s spooky season, witches. Are you writing a ghostly tale? A macabre madcap? A scary sonnet? 👻
Here`s some inspiration from the master of horror himself, Stephen King:
“So where do the ideas—the salable ideas—come from? They come from my nightmares. Not the night-time variety, as a rule, but the ones that hide just beyond the doorway that separates the conscious from the unconscious.”
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#indieauthorsunite #selfpublishedauthor #indiebooks #indieauthorcommunity #aspiringauthorsofig #horrorwritersofinstagram #fantasyauthors #amwritingscifi #amwritinghorror #horrorwriter #horrorauthor
Oct 1
If you`re a self-publishing author, do you know CMOS? 🤔You should . . . 🤓
CMOS (The Chicago Manual of Style) is the style guide of choice for the publishing world. It`s recommends punctuation, capitalization, usage, grammar, styling, and other choices that all go into making a professional book look like . . . well, a professional book.
CMOS is also what most editors use/recommend when they work with self-publishing authors like you. (I do!)
The style guide recently got an update—it`s now on the 18th edition—and there are a ton of new guidelines and recommendations and updates that affect fiction authors.
I`ve highlighted ten I think are the most useful to know in this month`s blog post:
10 Updates in CMOS 18 That Affect Self-Publishing Authors
Read about them at the link in my bio!
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#bookeditorneeded #selfpublishedauthor #indiebooks #fantasywriter #fantasyauthor #indiepublishing #aspiringauthorsofig #horrorwritersofinstagram
Oct 1
Whether you do it yourself or hire a book designer, formatting helps you create a professional-looking book. But you might be making some critical mistakes that affect how much your formatter charges, or how many hours you have to spend fixing things. 😬🙃
Here are five manuscript formatting mistakes that cost you time and money and what to do instead. (And read to the end for a huge tip that will make finding and fixing these mistakes a thousand times easier.)
🛑 Mistake #1: Applying your own “special formatting” in Word
If you mix fonts, text alignments, paragraph spacing, or apply other inconsistent Word-specific formatting throughout, your book designer will have to spend time either standardizing everything or consulting with you on “special case” circumstances. Both will require more time, which translates into higher costs.
🛑 Mistake #2: Using tabs
Hands up: Who’s used the tab key to create a paragraph indent or center text? Don’t. Extra tabs do funny things in formatting software and will need to be stripped out completely. The tab key should be off limits for anything in your manuscript. I explain a better way to create indented paragraphs later in this post.
🛑 Mistake #3: Making extra returns
The same goes for hitting the Enter key multiple times (a hard return) or using Shift + Enter (called a soft return) to create a new page or a scene break. (I’m so guilty of this!) Formatters prefer single hard returns, even between chapters and scenes, and will have to spend time stripping out the extras.
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Find out the last two mistakes and learn a pro tip for how to fix them at the link in my bio. Or visit www.magicwordsediting.com to read more.
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#editingtips #editing #bookformatting #bookdesign #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting
Jun 27
CONGRATS to client Jamie Ishino @pinkjamie on her new book The Opal Queen, out today! 🥳💥🙌🏻
“Because the lands themselves are rich with magic, deep in the earth, all people in Egriden are capable of magic.”
One might expect a princess’s life to be a fairy tale, but for sixteen-year-old Inise, it’s not that easy. Every day is a relentless cycle of lessons and training, all to prepare the future queen. As if that wasn`t enough, a terrible truth hangs over her—queens wield unimaginable magic, a gift this princess has yet to demonstrate.
When tragedy strikes, her loyal friends help her escape the kingdom and her ambitious uncle, Vischant. But the outside world brings no reprieve, because in order to claim the throne, she must manifest four elemental stones and master their power.
As Inise grapples with her purpose and duty, she encounters a found family better than one she could have ever dreamed of, including Pashendra, a mysterious fae who claims she and Inise have a special connection. Will Inise muster the strength to overcome her uncle’s malevolent ambitions and stop the ruin of her realm?
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I loved working on this lush and exciting fantasy—and isn`t that cover divine? Go check it out at the link in my bio!
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#bookstagram #booktok #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookstagramfollowtrain #bookstack
Jun 25
WRITING CHALLENGE: Choose four random nouns. Use all four in a short piece of writing.
Can`t think of four nouns? Use mine below!
candle
sunset
ice pick
hailstorm
(If you try these four, I`d love to see what you come up with! DM me or post in the comments below. 😁)
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#writingchallenge #writersblock #indieauthorsunite #selfpublishedauthor #indiebooks #fantasywriter #fantasyauthor
Jun 24
❓QUESTION: I`m building an author website. What do I put on it?
🗨 ANSWER: That completely depends on where you are in your author journey, but if you`ve already published a book, a must-have is a link to purchase it.
Here are some other ideas:
INFO ABOUT YOU
Current and future readers want to know who you are! If you`re comfortable with it, include a photograph. Write a little blurb. Give them a few fun details about the person behind the words. You can go into as much or as little detail as you like.
YOUR TITLE LIST
If you`ve published a book or two, make a page for those. Include a photo of the cover and a BIG, GIANT LINK to purchase. You might include the book`s blurb here, too. (Bonus ideas: character sketches, map art, book glossary, deleted scenes, prologues, etc.)
UPCOMING PROJECTS
Got a WIP? Give readers something to look forward to. Even if you just have the barest idea of a plot and/or characters, I`m sure your fans would love to know what`s coming next.
INFO ON HOW TO CONTACT YOU
If you don`t want to give out a personal email address, put a contact form or use an address that`s only for website inquiries.
LINKS TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Put these on every. single. page! Links to your Insta or TikTok from your author site are a great way to build your following.
NEWSLETTER SIGNUP
If you`re running a newsletter, don`t forget to also include a spot on ever page for fans to sign up.
A BLOG
A caveat: a blog isn`t absolutely necessary, but if you have one, or run a Substack, put up a link to it in your site`s main navigation.
Do you have an author website? Drop your link in the comments below! I`d love to take a peek. 👁🗨
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#writershelpingwriters #writingtips #writerwebsite #writermarketing #marketing #website #writerproblems #writinganovel #firstdraftclub #newwritersclub #indiepublishing
Jun 24
CHOOSE THE RIGHT WORD: full vs. fulsome
These words might seem to be interchangeable at first glance, but they have distinct connotations and probably should not be used as synonyms. Here`s a look at why:
💡 FULL
(adj.)
:complete in detail, number, or duration
💡FULSOME
(adj.)
: characterized by abundance; copious
Now in some sentences—
👉🏻 The waiting list is FULL. <--- Pretty standard use indicating there is no more room on the list. You couldn`t substitute "fulsome" and retain the same meaning.
👉🏻 The FULSOME praise was over the top. <--- The praise was generous, abundant, copious, to the point of being cringe. Substituting "full" here might work, but the sentence wouldn`t say quite the same thing.
It`s always a good idea to pay attention to the connotations of the words you choose. English is a whacky language, and words that seem like they should mean the same thing often don`t as a result of their typical usage over centuries.
When in doubt, consult the dictionary. 😎🤓
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Are there any words that sneakily sound the same that you mix up sometimes? Let me know in the comments below!
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#amediting #editingtip #amrevising #editingadvice #editingtricks #wordcountgoals
Jun 19
CAN YOU SPOT THIS EDITING CONUNDRUM? How would you edit this sentence? 🤔
"As a child, my mother took me to the zoo to see the elephants."
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. 😉
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#bookeditorneeded #amediting #editingtip #amrevising #editingadvice #editingtricks #wordcountgoals
Jun 19
I feel attacked by this. 🤣🤣🤣
(My name is Shawna, in case you didn`t know. 😝 )
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#bookeditorneeded #indieauthorsunite #indieauthorcommunity #indieauthortips #aspiringindieauthors #supportindieauthors #editorslife #aspiringauthorsofig #fantasyauthors #amwritingscifi #authorsofinsta #aspiringwriter #authorgram #iamwriting #writingcommunityofig #aspiringauthor #indieauthorsofinstagram #newauthor #writingadvice #indieauthor #authorsofig #writersofinsta #amediting #editingmeme #writingmeme #wipaesthetic #authorslife #authorquotes #lifeofawriter #writerscorner
Jun 19
What is the #1 driver of writer`s block? FEAR. 😬
Here`s a unique hack to try the next time FEAR has you blocked from writing:
Lie down. 🛌🏻
Write 50 words. ✍🏻
That`s it—just 50.
Why does this work?
LYING DOWN TELLS YOU TO RELAX
Why do you always get the best ideas right before you fall asleep? Because your body is relaxed and your mind is free to roam. Reclining tells your body to enter this imaginative and free-flowing state.
50 WORDS IS A MINI GOAL
Fifty words is easy, manageable. And yet, having that small goal in mind while you relax keeps you focused and in the moment.
Bonus: It`s not that easy on your body to write while reclining—you need frequent breaks to rest your arms and shoulders. This in turn allows you to think through your next sentence, and the one after that.
Give it a shot and let me know how it works!
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#indieauthorsunite #selfpublishedauthor #indiebooks #fantasywriter #fantasyauthor #indieauthorcommunity #aspiringauthorsofig
Jun 17
Query letters have to do a lot of heavy lifting in not many words. (Some recommendations say to keep the main body of a QL to 300 words or less, yikes!)
So make sure you answer the most important questions in that short space to give an agent the fullest overview of your book possible:
WHAT IS THE STORY ABOUT?
Don`t just describe the themes of the book—give a succinct, impactful overview of the plot combined with the next two questions (character + conflict/stakes). Use these two or three sentences to hook the agent into wanting to know more.
WHO IS THE MAIN CHARACTER? WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT THEM?
Show the reader who your main protagonist is, what he or she wants, and why readers will care about him or her.
WHAT IS THE MAIN CONFLICT? WHAT ARE THE STAKES?
Answer what makes the plot of the book and its characters interesting and read-worthy. Give them the edge-of-your-seat reason someone would want to pick up the book: the main conflict and stakes.
WHAT IS THE WORD COUNT/GENRE?
Now that the heavy lifting of crafting the hook is done, don`t forget the housekeeping! Include your word count and genre. And remember the title!
WHO ARE YOU AS THE AUTHOR?
Finally, tell the agent who you are and what makes you the perfect person to tell this story. Describe your background, interests, awards, writing experience—anything that might make you an attractive fit for their lineup.
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#queryletters #amquerying #publishing #querying #editingtips #editing #writingtips #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity
Jun 11
I had the immense pleasure of meeting my fabulous client Clem Moss of Zepparella last night AND got to see the band blow up the stage with their talent, Led Zeppelin style. What an amazing show, and what a fantastic human being Clem is. Thanks, ladies, for the powerful night!
Check out Clem’s book, From Bonham to Buddha and Back, at the bio link
#ledzeppelin #zepparella #offbroadwaystl #editorslife #writerslife #rockandroll
Jun 7
It`s hot take time! 😬🔥
Sometimes I get emails from newbie authors that say this 👇🏻 when I ask them to share their full manuscript:
"I want a guarantee you won’t steal my work."
🚩🚩🚩
Er, that`s not a good look guys.
Here`s why you shouldn`t be afraid an editor will steal your work and why it`s totally okay to send them your full manuscript for review.
I get pretty raw and straightforward (blunt, even) in this month`s blog post, which you can find at the link in my bio.
No harm or hurt intended, just a different and personal perspective from one editor on the internet. (Because yes, not all editors ask for full manuscripts, and yes, that`s okay. I do, and many others do, and we have good reasons for it.)
READ THE FULL POST AT THE BIO LINK. 😎😉
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#bookeditorneeded #selfpublishedauthor #indiebooks #fantasywriter #fantasyauthor #indiepublishing #aspiringauthorsofig #horrorwritersofinstagram #fantasyauthors
Jun 6
"The true alchemists do not change lead into gold; they change the world into words." — William H. Gass
Welcome to June, magic writer! It`s time to practice some some of that sweet word alchemy. 🧙🏻♀✨
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#indieauthorsunite #selfpublishedauthor #wordcountgoals #supportindieauthors #indiesareworthit #writerlife
Jun 3
A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. — Joseph Campbell
Remembering all today who have given their lives. May we never forget their memory. 💐
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#memorialday #memorialdayweekend #usa #america #memorial #memories #thankyou #remember #neverforget
May 27
Q for the weekend: Is it okay to mention real-life company names in a book or story? Will I get in legal trouble if I do?
A: Yes, it`s probably okay to use real-life company names. But there are some caveats to that.
If you`re mentioning a company name in passing and in a positive or neutral way, you more than likely have nothing to worry about, legally or otherwise. Pro tip: Take care to make sure the company name is spelled right, especially if it`s a trademark. (A good copyeditor will look it up for you and flag it if your usage doesn`t conform to the company`s trademark.)
If you`re drawing negative attention to a company in any way, even in fiction, it`s probably best to create an entirely fictionalized name to stand in for the real one to avoid any legal hot water.
Whether you`re using a real-life company name negatively or positively, consider the shelf life of your book. Company names come and go, and if your book references an old name, it might risk dating your story.
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Got questions for a professional editor about writing, editing, or book publishing? Send me a DM, and I`ll answer it in an upcoming Q&A!
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#editingtips #editing #publishing #writingtips #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting
May 24
Magic writers, let`s talk about what makes us feel creative.
Do you have a favorite space you like to write in? Is it full of things that inspire you or that relate to your book in some way?
I find with my current WIP I`m more likely to get into the right headspace when I light a certain candle that smells like a gloomy forest (a setting in my book) or have mementos around me that are meaningful to my MC. As Grant Faulkner says in Pep Talks for Writers: ". . . talismans have the power to transport me elsewhere, to invite me to leap into my imagination." Agreed!
What are some of your writing talismans? What do your writing spaces look like? Show them off in the comments!
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#creativity #editing #publishing #writingtips #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting #writer
May 22
CONGRATULATIONS to client Christina K. Glover on the publication of her debut novel, The Switchboard! 🤩🥳🎉
This story is one that will crawl inside your head and never let go—in the absolute best way. Read this description and tell me you don`t wanna rush right out and snag a copy 😉:
FOR MAGIC. FOR MEMORY. FOR EACH OTHER.
Mortal mage Henley Yu has enough to worry about between the storms caused by broken magic and his strained relationship with his father. He’s trying to keep his head above water, but when he finds a stranger hiding in his kitchen cabinets he’s forced to reconsider his priorities.
Chief Operator Kittinger has overseen the flow of magic for centuries, but he’s no fighter. Betrayed by his protectors in their quest to gain control of the magic, he’s running for his life when he makes Henley his accomplice. Kit might lose his new ally if Henley finds out that Kit’s secrets go deeper than the magic itself.
Together they’ll venture into the Between, where magic connects worlds, to fight an army of officers ready to finish what they started when Kit fled the scene. For Kit, failure means death. For Henley, it means losing the memory of the only person who gives him purpose. Henley won’t let anyone interfere before he finds out what that means for their future together.
He’ll save Kit. He`ll save the magic—or he won’t be the only one who dies trying.
GET YOUR COPY HERE: https://tinyurl.com/bdtmr3nv
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#bookstagram #booktok #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookstagramfollowtrain #bookstack
May 20
Thinking of doing some writing this weekend? Here`s a challenge for you:
💡 Take a scene you`re struggling to get just right and write a version of it from a different character`s point of view.
👉🏻 You might be surprised at what comes out when you get another perspective on the action and dialogue.
If you complete this challenge, let me know how it goes in the comments below!
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#writingchallenge #writingtips #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting #writer
May 17
GUMS time! (That`s grammar, usage, and mechanics.) Have you heard the term "split infinitive"? Wonder if you`re splitting your infinitives in your writing?
You probably are—but that`s okay!
A split infinitive is formed when an adverb or other word is placed between TO and a verb. Example:
to boldly go <-- "boldly" is the adverb, "go" is the verb
Are split infinitives wrong? Nope. Their banishment is a “zombie rule.” They’re fine, especially in fiction. Sometimes splitting the infinitive even aids clarity.
So "boldly go" right ahead and split them. You have my permission. 😎😎😎
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#bookeditorneeded #selfpublishedauthor #wordcountgoals #amediting #editingtip #amrevising #editingadvice #editingtricks #bookeditor #copyeditor #lineeditor #proofreader
May 17
Indie authors, self-publishing isn`t "failure" and you are not "failed authors." /end rant
(Are you on Threads? Lots of great conversations happening around publishing and writing over there!)
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#indieauthorsunite #selfpublishedauthor #indiebooks #fantasywriter #fantasyauthor #indieauthorcommunity #aspiringauthorsofig
May 15
Few things are as frightening to an aspiring author who wants to traditionally publish as the agent pitch. But those precious few minutes face-to-face with a real, live literary agent could be the door that opens to your dreams.
If you`re getting ready to pitch agents at an upcoming writers conference, here are a few tips that might help it go smoothly:
PREPARE YOUR PITCH
Come up with your pitch ahead of time so you know what you`re going to say when the big moment arrives. Write it down on an index card and rehearse it.
RESEARCH THE AGENTS
Research the agents who will be at the conference: the genres they represent, what stories they`re looking for, who they`ve repped in the past. This will help you zero in on the agents most likely to want your book so you don`t waste your time pitching to the wrong person.
ASK QUESTIONS
Look at the pitch as a learning opportunity as well as a chance to sell your story. Get a list of questions together to ask if an agent gives you constructive feedback on your story or pitch.
GET YOUR M/S IN SHAPE
Make sure your manuscript is ready to go if an agent likes what she hears and wants to read more.
BREATHE!
Above all else, remember to breathe. Inhale, exhale. The pitch session is not a make or break moment for your book or you as a writer. Pull out all your usual tricks for handling nerves and have fun!
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#querying #pitchinganagent #writercon #writingconference #pitmad
May 14
Magic writer, are you a perfectionist when you write? Do you stare out the window for hours as you try to find the exact "right" word, only to give up in frustration?
Boy, I sure do. It`s one of the major ways writer`s block shows up for me.
This can be especially debilitating in a first draft, the draft where the story overall reveals itself to you. Perfectionism around words and phrases can put up a road block to that story flow.
To get things moving again, try this:
GIVE YOUSELF PERMISSION TO WRITE "BADLY"
If you have to create a formal permission slip for this, go for it: "I, Magic Writer, give myself permission to suck at writing right now and just get the story down."
ADD A PLACEMARKER TO COME BACK TO
When you get the urge to stop writing and conjure the "perfect word," insert a specific phrase like "In other words . . ." and keep going. Later, you can search for that phrase to revise with the "perfect" wordsmithing.
CONSIDER A SPECIAL APP
Consider using The Most Dangerous Writing App. Set up a timed writing session, and if you stop typing for more than a few seconds, all your text will disappear. If you’re desperate to stop overthinking everything you write, it’s sure to get the job done!
Let me know how it goes! Or if you`ve tried one of these tactics, let me know how it worked for you in the comments below.
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#writersblock #perfectionism #writingtips #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity #authorsofinstagram #authors #authorsofig
May 13
My little river town is blooming! Main Street is all decked out for May Day and the In Bloom festival that took place last weekend.
Complete with flower-arranging contests, a maypole dance, and a scavenger hunt, the Main Street In Bloom festival is the signal spring has truly arrived here in my historic city.
I spend a lot of time walking the cobblestones, but it truly is a magical and special place, and I can`t get enough.
Wouldn`t it be an awesome setting for a book?? Anyone got a cozy mystery brewing and want to visit?? 😎😉😆
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#editorslife #writerslife #stcharlesmo #historicmainstreetstcharles #stcharlesmainstreetinbloom #wipaesthetic #authorslife #lifeofawriter #writerscorner
May 7
An FAQ I see from indie authors over and over: What kind of editing do I need?? 🤔
If you have a final draft of a manuscript, you probably know the next step in your publishing journey is editing. But—what level? Developmental, substantive, copy, line, structural . . . there are so many different editing types, and a few even have different names depending on the editor! (And, it`s all just proofreading, right? Er, no.)
To help you figure out what level of editing your story needs, I`ve created a quiz on my website to walk you through them all. Answer a few questions about where you are in your publishing journey, and the results at the end will tell you what level is most appropriate for your manuscript at that stage.
TAKE THE QUIZ HERE: www.magicwordsediting.com/quiz/
Or click the link in my bio. 😎🤓
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#editingtips #editing #publishing #writingtips #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting
May 7
"Spring is the time of plans and projects."—Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
Happy May! What plans and projects do you have going on this month, magic writer? 💐🌞✍🏻
Let`s get after them!
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#selfpublishedauthor #indiebooks #indieauthorcommunity #wordcountgoals #supportindieauthors #indiesareworthit #writerlife #iamwriting
May 1
Had an amazing time at the Unbound Book Festival @unboundbookfestival in Columbia, Missouri, last weekend!
Emily St. John Mandel was the keynote speaker, I got to meet Matt Bell and Sequoia Nagamatsu (two of my favorite authors), and sat in on craft workshops over novel structure and endings.
My head was buzzing with ideas all the way home! Definitely going back next year.
PHOTO DUMP:
1. The Unbound Book Festival, April 18-21, 2024, Columbia, Missouri
2. Emily St. John Mandel, keynote speaker, signed my copy of Station Eleven.
3. Matt Bell was a panelist, and gave me the *best* signature on my well-loved copy of Refuse to Be Done (if you follow me, you know I use this book *a lot*).
4. Caroline Leavitt, author of Days of Wonder, gave an amazing workshop on structuring a novel.
5. Mark Cecil, podcast host of The Thoughtful Bro and author of Bunyan & Henry, gave an excellent and entertaining workshop on novel endings.
6. Saw a book I proofread for Tor in the local bookshop @skylarkbookshop. Always a thrill!
7. Came away with additions to my TBR pile!
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#bookstagram #booktok #bookrecommendations #bookreview #bookstack #bookeditorneeded #amediting #amrevising #bookeditor #copyeditor #lineeditor #proofreader #unboundbookfestival #columbiamissouri #bookfestival #authorsofinstagram #editorslife #writerslife #amwriting #indieauthorsofinstagram #authorslife
Apr 25
Are you struggling with "show, don`t tell"? It can be a hard concept to grasp, but here are a few tips to get you started, which are taken from the excellent book Self-Editing for Fiction Writers. It has a whole chapter dedicated to the topic.
📗 IMMEDIATE SCENES
Write scenes as they happen, helping readers see the dialogue and action unfold in real time. Even flashbacks can be written as immediate scenes, just set in the past.
📗 DIALOGUE + ACTION
The heart of showing is made up of dialogue plus action. Having characters speak or actively do something in the story`s world is much more effective than describing events.
📗 RESIST THE URGE TO EXPLAIN
Resist using language meant to explain character reactions to the scene. (Yep. Take a hard look at sentences that sound like this: "Sara felt absolutely defeated.")
📗 ENGAGE THE SENSES
What sounds can be heard? Smells? Tastes? Engage all five senses in a scene to help show your readers more than just what a character sees with their eyes.
📗 USE STRONG DETAILS
Include strong, vivid details about a scene, but don`t overdo it with excessively ornate language. Strike a fine balance. Here`s a look at the difference:
Too much: The statue felt rough, its aged facade caked with dust and grime as I weighed it in my hand, observing its jagged curves and Fanta-colored hue.
Just right: It was heavier than it looked. Some of the orange facade crumbled in my hand as I picked it up.
📗 USE STRONG VERBS
The right verbs (action words) can be just as descriptive as details that engage the senses. A simple example: consider replacing "he ran quickly" with a stronger choice like "he sprinted."
🌟 KEEP THIS IN MIND: "Show, don`t tell" isn`t an absolute rule, and telling has its place in good fiction when it`s done well. But the most engaging, memorable prose employs the techniques above. 😉
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#writingtips #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity #authorsofinstagram #authors #authorsofig
Apr 23
Magic writer, are you getting ready to begin the *gulp* querying process? Writing a query letter is often one of the most-dreaded parts of trying to get traditionally published.
It doesn`t have to be horrible! Here are four basic tips to get you started, which might help take some of the sting out of writing it:
📜 OPENING
Open your letter with a strong beginning—either start with the book’s important details or lead with your strongest selling point. Don’t forget to personalize the letter to build rapport with the agent!
📜 HOOK
The hook does the heavy lifting. Describe your book in terms that will get the agent “hooked” on the story, that will make your book stand out in some way.*
📜 BIO
Include your author bio at the end. Let the agent know why you’re the perfect person to tell your story. Use your bio to reveal or reinforce your voice/personality. (Turn on your charm here!)
📜 CLOSING
Be professional and brief in your closing. Wrap up by thanking the agent for their time and consideration and then sign off; don’t ramble or editorialize about your book.
And, really—that`s it!
*The hardest part will be the hook, but I have something that might help: a Query Cleanup service, which is a critique and edit of your query letter and synopsis.
👉🏻 Want to learn more? Head on over to the link in my bio to see how one might help you polish and perfect your query.
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#amquerying #querywriting #publishing #tradpublishing #queryletter #writingadvice #howtowriteaqueryletter
Apr 19
Today`s writing challenge comes from Refuse to Be Done by Matt Bell:
If you`re stuck wallowing in a plot that goes nowhere or writing scenes that all sound the same, Bell suggests taking a step back to write four test scenes outside of your outline or current story flow.
First, select a point in your plot and/or a certain character.
Then write one each of the following scenes around that plot point/character:
💡 Discovery - show a character learning about or discovering something
💡 Complication - introduce a complication to a character`s goals or the story outline
💡 Reversal - reverse an existing complication
💡 Resolution - resolve a conflict/complication in your story
Your goal here isn`t to write four awesome scenes that make it into your book—it`s simply to get your writing moving again. You`ll end up with several thousand words that might help you discover something surprising about your story or characters. And it just might get you out of that rut.
If you try this challenge, let me know how it goes in the comments. 👇🏻
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#writingtips #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity #authorsofinstagram #authors #authorsofig #indieauthor #indieauthors #indieauthorsofinstagram
Apr 15
HOW DO YOU PUNCTUATE DIALOGUE QUOTED IN OTHER DIALOGUE? 🤔😬
When a character quotes an exact line of dialogue from another character, how is that punctuated? It`s not as tricky as you might think.
Here`s a quick tip from The Chicago Manual of Style:
13.30: Quotations and “quotes within quotes”
Quoted words, phrases, and sentences run into the text are enclosed in double quotation marks. Single quotation marks enclose quotations within quotations.
EXAMPLE:
“His exact words were, ‘I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy.’” (Note the placement of the final single quote: it goes *outside* the period. For question marks/exclamation points, it goes *inside*.)
Now you know! 😎
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#editingtips #amediting #amrevising #bookaneditor #lookingforaneditor #bookeditorneeded #publishing #writingtips
Apr 12
Psst! Hey, magic writer. Do you have writer`s block?
Ugh. Me too! Here`s something I`ve found that helps:
Try relocating. As in, actually moving your physical body to a new spot.
A change of scenery might be what you need. If you usually write indoors, go to the park. If you normally churn out the words in a coffee shop, try a quiet corner in the library. Write on the sofa? Move to a different room of your house.
Writing in new location introduces a different energy to your surroundings, which might help get YOUR energy and creativity flowing more freely as well.
If you try it, and it works, let me know in the comments below!
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#writingtips #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity #authorsofinstagram #authors #authorsofig
Apr 8
Q. What are "alpha readers"? Why do I need them?
A. Alpha readers are, generally, the very first readers of your book. They usually read a first or unpolished draft to help you catch early mistakes with plot, characters, or setting, and can give you much-needed inspiration to continue drafting or revising if you feel stuck.
Alpha readers can be anyone: editors, family members (although they might not give you unbiased feedback!), other writers, critique partners. The best alpha readers know something about craft to the point that they can give you targeted feedback, know how to offer constructive criticism, can look beyond the flaws of a first draft—like spelling and punctuation errors—and have the time and energy to read your story and comment on it.
How many alpha readers should you have? Typically, a small number (3–5) works best, but have as many as you need to work out any particular problems or stuck places.
Over to you: Have you ever used alpha readers? What was your experience like? Did they help? Let me know in the comments below!
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#editingtips #editing #writingtips #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity #authorsofinstagram #authors
Apr 5
NOW ACCEPTING WAITLIST SIGNUPS! 🥳🎉🤩
If you`re the type who loves to plan ahead, or you have a fall publishing schedule, sign up now to get on my Quarter 3 (August, September) waitlist for the following services:
👉🏻 line editing
👉🏻 copy editing
👉🏻 story assessments
👉🏻 query assessments and editing
Waitlist members are contacted on a first come, first served rolling basis. As of today, all spots are taken for July, but openings remain for August and September.
Add your name here --->
🎯 Visit this link: www.magicwordsediting.com OR
💌 Send me a DM 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!
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#bookeditor #copyeditor #lineeditor #proofreader #writingtips #writingtipsandtricks #indiesareworthit #indiepublishingcommunity #amediting #amrevising
Apr 3
“Drink some coffee. Listen to some birds. Feel the breeze. Give love into the world and receive it in return. Now open the little box inside your heart marked RIGHTEOUS FURY and let the tornado captured inside take you, carry you, and return you to the fight once more.”—Chuck Wendig, You Can Do Anything, Magic Skeleton
HAPPY APRIL! 🌻💐🌞🌪
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#indieauthorsunite #selfpublishedauthor #indiebooks #supportindieauthors #indiesareworthit #writerlife
Apr 1
CONGRATS!! You`ve finished writing your first draft. So . . . what`s next??
I`ve had quite a few eager-beaver first-time authors come to me in the last weeks wanting to rush straight from first draft to "proofreading."
No. Slow waaaay down there, skippy.
Writing is a marathon, not a sprint, and I can guarantee that as good as your draft is, it`s nowhere near ready to be a book.
There are a few steps in the middle that you really shouldn`t skip if you want to sell a quality product.
👉🏻 REVISE AND REWRITE
At the absolute very least, you need to revise and rewrite your draft. Your first draft isn`t ready for prime time, and your second or even your third might not be, either. This takes as long as it takes. Sorry/not sorry.
👉🏻 ALPHA/BETA READERS*
Next is to get some eyes on that story. Find some readers typical of those you want to sell your eventual book to; have them give feedback. It will be eye-opening, I assure you. Go back to step one: revise.
👉🏻 DEV EDIT/MANUSCRIPT EVAL*
Consider getting a professional editor`s opinion of the story. They`ll give you targeted feedback and suggestions for problems beta readers miss or can`t define. Go back to step one: revise.
👉🏻 LINE EDIT
Hurrah, now that you are absolutely 100% done with revision, you can finally start the process of what first-timers typically call "proofreading": editing the actual sentences and words. A line edit massages the syntax, style, and flow of your sentences to make sure they make sense to a reader.
👉🏻 COPYEDIT
This can sometimes be done in conjunction with the line edit. A copyedit checks grammar, mechanics, spelling, character traits, timelines, facts, and other nuts and bolts concerns.
👉🏻 PROOFREAD
After you`ve formatted, typeset, and designed the book`s interior, you`re ready for actual proofreading. This is one last check for errors in the page proofs before you publish.
*Beta readers can sometimes come after a dev edit. You don`t necessarily need both alpha and beta readers, but it`s a good idea.
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Now you know! Questions? Let me know in the comments.
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#amediting #editingtip #amrevising #editingadvice #copyeditor #lineeditor #proofreader
Mar 29
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. 🙃
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. 🤷🏻♀
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:
🙊 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!
🙊 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.
🙊 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.
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What are some horror stories you`ve heard about how badly AI botched an edit? Let me know in the comments below.
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#bookeditorneeded #amediting #editingtip #amrevising #editingadvice #editingtricks #bookeditor #copyeditor #lineeditor #proofreader
Mar 25
WHO vs. WHOM: Come jump in the deep water with me, magic writer, and learn when to use “who” and when to use “whom.” It’s easier than you think with this trick.
💡 WHO
"Who" is used as the subject of a sentence.
>>> Example: Who wrote the letter? <<<
💡 WHOM
"Whom" is used as the object of a verb or preposition.
>>> Example: For whom was the letter intended? <<<
⭐ 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.)
📣 *BUT!
Caveat time. In speaking and modern everyday usage, “who” is often used in place of “whom.”
>>> Who is the letter intended for? <<<
>>> Who did you say is calling? <<<
Can’t remember which one to use? Don’t want to sound like a 19th-century grammarian?
Use "who." It’s okay. Really. Even Shakespeare did it. 😎
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#editingtips #amediting #amrevising #bookaneditor #lookingforaneditor #bookeditorneeded #publishing #writingtips #freelanceeditors #bookeditor
Mar 22
It`s spring! It`s spring! Hooray! 🐇💐🍃 🌞
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.
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#spring #springequinox #spring2024 #springishere #sunnydaysahead #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting
Mar 20
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:
👉🏻 deep, constructive feedback on YOUR writing;
👉🏻 instruction from writers who`ve found success in the field and/or themselves are excellent writers;
👉🏻 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. 😉
So here are four highly regarded writing workshop providers that fit the bill:
🌟 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.
🌟 Gotham Writers Workshop
Or just "Gotham"—it`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 6–10 weeks . They also list day-long intensives if you`re in a real hurry.
🌟 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.
🌟 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!
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I`m signed up for a couple of workshops in the Iowa festival this summer. Maybe I`ll see you there!
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#writingworkshops #workshops #writingtips #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity
Mar 18
CAN YOU SPOT THIS EDITING CONUNDRUM? How would you edit this sentence? 🤔
"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. 😉
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#bookeditorneeded #amediting #editingtip #amrevising #editingadvice #editingtricks #wordcountgoals
Mar 15
IT`S HAPPENED AGAIN! I`ve seen more social media posts lately from authors who have been burned by less than professional—even scammy—"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.
CONTACT REFERENCES
Ask them for references. If they give you any, contact them. If they don`t? 🚩🚩🚩
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.)
ASK THEM QUESTIONS
What editing training do you have? Do you offer sample edits? What exactly will I get in my edit? Do you offer a contract? (If so, read it carefully!) Look for any 🚩🚩🚩 in their answers and TRUST. YOUR. GUT.
BONUS
Writer Beware (www.writerbeware.com) exposes writing-related scams and has entries about well-known editor and book coach scammers. 👀👀👀 Give them a visit to see if the person you`re thinking of hiring is included.
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#editing #publishing #writingtips #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity #authorsofinstagram
Mar 13
Here`s a super fun writing challenge for you:
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 below—maybe you`ll inspire someone!
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#writingchallenge #dreams #writingtips #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity
Mar 11
The dreaded SYNOPSIS. 😱😖🙃 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 ➡➡➡
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 . . ."
🛑 DON`T DO THAT. 🛑
Instead, use a handy formula she describes to add color and meaning to the plot description:
🌟 INCIDENT (the plot point) + REACTION (color) = DECISION (story advancement)
“Determined to find the gold, the band of adventurers sets out on an epic quest. After an erupting volcano makes them reconsider their life choices, they’re rescued by a friendly dragon . . .”
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 characters’ reactions and emotions to the incident.
Then show how the incident and the characters’ 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.
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#querywriting #querytips #booksynopsis #writingtips #writersofinstagram #writing #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity
Mar 8
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.
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#spring #stcharlesmo #historicmainstreetstcharles #writersofinstagramf #writing #amwriting #writer #writingcommunity #authorsofinstagram #authors #authorsofig #indieauthor #indieauthors #indieauthorsofinstagram
Mar 7
