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Editing Tips for Writers

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Let’s take a look at this quote… 

First, find what it means to you and then carry on with the rest of this post.

There are a million ways to dissect this quote and analyze how others perceive it. However, there is one thing that is fundamentally true any way you look at it. Editing is a very important step of the writing process. There is no way around it. Without proper editing even a ‘good’ book can appear bad. Now, if you are someone who wishes to improve their editing techniques here are a few places to start!

Less is more!

Filler words are never a good idea. Find what you are trying to say and use the least amount of words to properly get your point across. For example: There are many people who write — Many people write.

Avoid weak verbs.

Use visceral verbs or verbs that express action over weak verbs. For example:

Find out — Discover

He went to Italy — He traveled to Italy

Avoid weak adjectives.

Be mindful when using words like ‘really’ and ‘very’. There are always better alternatives. For example:

Really good – Great

Very big – Huge

Don’t introduce unnecessary words.

Why use a weak word when a stronger verb or adjective is available? 

Give your post a proofread — Proofread your post (verb form)

He shows signs of carelessness — He is careless (adjective form)

You can find a lot of programs to help you edit as well, but that is a whole other post! Never be afraid to continue to educate yourself on your writing. There are so many outlets looking to  help you. Including us!

So follow us along your literary journey and we will learn together!

Happy Editing!

Building Confidence in Your Craft

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Having confidence as a writer lets you express yourself freely. However, to do so you need confidence in yourself and in your writing! Do you worry that your writing isn’t good enough? Well you are not alone, and we have compiled some ways to lift your writing confidence:

Practice Writing Regularly

Writing is just like any other skill or hobby, and practicing regularly will help you improve. 

Read Widely

You are probably already an avid reader, but try reading something out of your norm. Pick up a new magazine, blog, or a genre out of your comfort zone. You will learn new techniques and find out what resonates with you. 

Learn About Writing 

In order to perfect your craft and build confidence you need to learn the in’s and out’s of writing. Specify the writing you want to go into, creative writing, blogging, memoirs and learn more about it! The more you learn the more you know!

Ask For Feedback 

Asking a fellow writing friend for feedback is a great way to help improve your writing. I know it can be daunting getting your work critiqued, but once you edit based on the feedback you will have more confidence in it!

Submit Your Publication

This one can also be pretty daunting, but if you submit your work to a blog and they post it that is a big confidence boost! Follow the tips above and make it as good as you can before sending it in. You can also enter competitions to get your writing and name out there. There are so many outlets to explore and that is another reason why you not only have to learn about writing, but the writing world as well. It will be easier to navigate once you build yourself a map. 

All your hard work will pay off. 

Happy Writing!

Where Do You Get Your Book News?

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Do you want to keep up with the publishing industry news? If you do, there are many outlets to choose from! I have compiled a few of my favorites and maybe they will become yours too!

Keeping up with literary news outlets will allow you to stay up to date on current trends to better your own writing and literary journey. 

The Guardian

Offering more than just the current news of literacy, The Guardian has fiction, poetry and non-fiction reviews. As well as offering insight on children and YA books, they regularly conduct interviews with authors! The news is endless on this site, and they have something for everybody.

Literary Hub

I would say this site appeals to more of a younger crowd. It is vibrant and social media oriented, while giving you more than just the typical in your face news. Focus on your personal interests and browse their true crime reads or short stories. Even if you are not much of a reader you can get most of the news through their many genres of the Lit Hub Radio! How cool!

The New York Times

We cannot talk about news without The New York Times. They offer a book section wedged in between arts and style. While this site is definitely straight to the point, you know you will be getting an older demographic of news. However, It is always great to dabble in more than one site. Get a taste of the political side from the Times, then move on over to the lit hub for a taste of youth. 

Find the news outlet for you! It is great to stay in touch with things outside your realm of expertise and expand your mind. Hopefully one of these sites spoke to you and you can get your news on. Tell us some of your favorites too!

Happy Learning!

Publishing Trends of 2020

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It is best to tackle the future with some indication of what is most likely to be on trend. While no one can truly predict the future here is some of the industry’s best interpretation of what 2020 will bring!

  1. Audiobooks will continue to gain popularity, and more indie authors will seek to have their work converted to this format.
  2. Running ads will be a requirement
    1. Getting your books in front of readers for free will be more difficult. Now is the time to get internet savvy and use paid advertising!
  3. The ebook market will grow even more in 2020.
    1. As more young readers enter the market ebooks will increase.
  4. Email lists will increase in value.
    1. Your emailing list is a valuable marketing tool. Remember readers who are giving you their email are opting in, they want you to email them!

These are just a few publishing trends that we might see in 2020, but there are definitely more! A big takeaway is the push toward alternatives to paperbacks, with the focus on audiobooks and ebooks, as well as upping the ante on marketing!

Have a great 2020!  

Motivation Monday

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We each have our own sayings to describe separating ourselves from the chaos of the world. It is good to know that we all have similarities in that degree. For instance, you may hear someone say YOLO – You Only Live Once to describe the sensation of doing what you love in life and taking risks because this is your time, but in Japan you may hear ukiyo a similar sort of presence of doing what you love and not letting outside things come between that.

I encourage you to seek out similarities among you and others. We can learn so much, especially in the form of language. Make it present in your own literary works and explore the outcome of getting your novel translated (we can help you with that)!

Remember to live in the moment. The world is too big to only stay in your head. 

Happy Monday!

Something Wicked This Way Comes – Grim Reaper

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Tomorrow is Halloween! Just in time for one last creature of the dark analysis…

We have talked about ghouls, zombies, and mummies but today we will talk about the lord of death…the grim reaper. His job entails collecting the souls of the people when their time on earth is done. He is known to be very diligent in his job and always meets his deadlines. He is someone you will not want to see. 

Origins of the Grim Reaper appear in the fourteenth century when Europe was overcome by the Black Plague. During this time many artists began painting skeletons with deadly weapons and eventually the black cloaked figure became the first recognizable Reaper. It is said that his dark costume and curved scythe (the large weapon he carries around) may have been inspired by the plague doctors who wore dark shrouds and bird-like masks to protect themselves from breathing bad air. 

However, the name Grim Reaper did not appear until the nineteenth century. Getting its origins from the popular nickname for death “the Grim’. 

His special abilities include being able to separate the soul from the body, and then becomes a guide to help you find your way to the next realm. 

Today the Grim Reaper remains to be a favorite Halloween costume, and has appeared in novels and films. He has become the world’s most iconic personification of death. 

Spook up your next novel with a Grim Reaper character!

Write on!

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