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Ten examples of how the English language is trolling us
Regular readers of my blog will know that my full-time job is as an editor. You’d think that I’d be fully across all the various, ugly, beautiful permutations of English and its stupid-arse spelling....
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I finished writing a book, you guys
I had an amazingly productive week last week. It turns out all I need to have happen in order for me to get things done is: a) have a medical treatment that means I feel fine but can’t be around people...
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Five things to do after you finish your manuscript
Cassandra Page:In case you missed it, here’s my July post over at Aussie Owned and Read, where I make suggestions about things you can do after you finish drafting your manuscript that don’t involve...
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My penmonkey evaluation
A couple of days ago on his blog, author and blogger extraordinaire Chuck Wendig posted what he called a penmonkey evaluation—a chance for writers to self-evaluate. I thought it was an interesting...
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What not to say to your editor
Before I start ranting here — because this is a ranty post — yesterday I appeared as a guest at Stacey Nash’s blog as part of the From Australia With Love tour. There’s a (rather tongue-in-cheek)...
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Beginnings: starting in the right place
Starting your journey… Source One bit of advice you’ll often hear from agents and various other book people—such as PitchWars mentors and other competition judges—is to make sure your book starts in...
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Show, don’t tell
I’ve been in the edit cave since I finished Lucid Dreaming at the end of August. There’s been Isla’s Inheritance, Lucid Dreaming and now Isla’s Oath, as well as a couple of critiques for good friends....
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Update: words to be wary of
I’ve been doing a lot of editing in the last two months. A lot. I’ve done a first read on Lucid Dreaming, and separately incorporated feedback from a CP on it. I’ve CPed something in return. And, the...
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Edits, procrastination and Chicken of the Year…
I edit for a living. Not in the publishing industry, mind you—so don’t try and pitch me anything!—but in the public sector. Lots of boring non-fiction. So I’m pretty familiar with the process. Not the...
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He said, she said: dialogue tags
Source: wiki commons I mentioned dialogue tags briefly a while ago in a post about “crimes” I commit when drafting—I tend to leave out the name of the other actor in a conversation between them and my...
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Naming your book – and naming my book!
Let me start out by saying that I suck at naming my books. Seriously. I come up with working titles during the drafting stage that don’t work for one reason or another, and then I get to the end of the...
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Four ways to see your writing anew
A plotters journey: an artist’s impression (image: Wiki Commons) Drafting a novel is like hiking through a huge forest. Your approach to the impending journey may vary: some of us come up with a...
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Editing: my four (well, five) writing weaknesses
Before we start, have you guys read my interview with the awesome Steampunk writer Jay Kristoff over at Aussie Owned and Read? If not, it’s here. Go on, I can wait. An overworked train metaphor,...
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What I wish I knew before my book deal
Today’s guest post is by Emery Lord, whose first contemporary YA novel is out with Walker/Bloomsbury next April. I’ve had a few posts on indie publishing and small presses, so I’m really happy that she...
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Why editing is like streaking
I’ve seen a lot of writing metaphors in my time. But this one is totally new to me. I hope you enjoy this guest post by Lauren McKellar! If you’re a sports fan you’ve no doubt seen a man naked before....
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Brake and accelerate: writing advice from Chuck Wendig
One of the things I struggle with as a writer is pacing. My first book needed major editorial surgery—after pointy-edged feedback from various folks, whom I owe for their insight and honesty—before I...
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Seeking feedback: the importance of critique partners
Writer’s toolbox: an artist’s impression. (Original photo from wiki commons.) Stephen King—who is pretty much the god of writing as far as I’m concerned—said writers should write with the door closed,...
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Imprecise use of pronouns, with Doctor Who!
Have you entered my double Amazon giveaway yet, which I’m running to celebrate my book deal and 1000 Twitter followers? The details are here. One thing I see a lot at work is people using pronouns...
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What happens after you sign with a small press?
Today’s guest post is by the amazing Katie, whose book, KIYA: HOPE OF THE PHARAOH, came out yesterday with small press Curiosity Quills. I’m excited to have her here as the first stop on her blog hop...
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Interview: Summer Heacock, Women’s Fiction writer
Remember how a while back I mentioned an amazing woman on Twitter who’d just drafted an entire novel in four days? (No, that isn’t a typo. FOUR (4)!) Her name is Summer Heacock and she kindly agreed to...
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