#how to self-edit

[thepedanticbohemian]

[rozmorris]

Writing is a muddle – how to enjoy the muddle

If you read my newsletter you’ll know I’m fond of horse riding. And sometimes a moment from the horsing life can bring an unexpected realisation about writing. I was riding in the woods with a friend. We had an unplanned detour that involved scrambling up a bank. My friend laughed that her horse seemed to pause and say to her- ‘Really? You want me to go up there?’ Yes, she said, and he did it.…

[smithglenne]

How To Self-Edit Your Novel.

How To Self-Edit Your Novel.

Yesterday I talked about which editing services you should use once you’re at that point in your manuscript. However, before you get there, you should have completed a few rounds of self-editing.

How do you go about doing that? The video below goes into the process necessary to self-edit your novel, and like anything the more you practice, the better you’ll get.

How To Self-Edit

[rozmorris]

Writers, can’t kill your darlings? Read this

Writers, can’t kill your darlings? Read this #writingcommunity #amwriting #amediting

You know the situation. A beta reader or editor says a precious part of your book has to go. You resist, strenuously. They fix you with an unforgiving eye and say: ‘kill your darlings’. Sometimes we resist a change for good reason. The character/scene/description/flashback/whatever might be needed. It explains something, or adds resonance, or fills a gap in the story, though perhaps it doesn’t…

[rozmorris]

After the red pen - a pain-free way to tackle beta reader comments

After the red pen – a pain-free way to tackle beta reader comments

Last month I was preparing for beta reader comments on the manuscript of my third novel, Ever Rest.

I’ve now received them, so I thought it might be useful to write a follow-up post for how I tackle them.

I was very lucky – and relieved – that the verdict was overwhelmingly positive. The book works. Nevertheless, each reader found minor queries, which is entirely expected.

Some are easy to solve…

[rozmorris]

Are you bored? One writing rule you really need

Are you bored? One writing rule you really need

‘Try to leave out the bits the reader will skip,’ said Elmore Leonard.

Sure, Mr L, but how do we identify them?

I thought about this recently when I read a manuscript that was heavy on technical detail. When I delivered my verdict – that many of these passages lost my interest – the author said:

‘I know what you mean – when I read other books on the subject, my eyes often glaze over at the…