Self-Editing Tips

From PNWA Writing Tips; Feb 8, 2018 Most of writing is rewriting, which makes self-editing a necessary part of any writer’s process. Still, it can be hard to know where to start. Editing a book is a big undertaking, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. One way to combat this is by taking things in stages. Here are some questions you can ask yourself as you work through various stages of editing…. Read More

Working with Beta Readers

Looking for inspiration on finding and working with beta readers? Here, read this! https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2014/03/5-things-you-should-know-about-working-with-beta-readers, By Corina Koch MacLeod and Carla Douglas; March 19, 2014 

Find and Work with Beta Readers

Great advice on finding and working with beta readers here: https://janefriedman.com/find-beta-readers; January 18, 2016 by Kristen Kieffer. 

Is My Novel Offensive? by Katy Waldman

From: http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2017/02/how_sensitivity_readers_from_minority_groups_are_changing_the_book_publishing.html How “sensitivity readers” are changing the publishing ecosystem—and raising new questions about what makes a great book. When Becky Albertalli published her first young adult novel, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, with the HarperCollins imprint Balzer and Bray in 2015, she never expected it to be controversial. She’d worked for years as a clinical psychologist specializing in gender nonconforming children and LGBTQ teens and adults.* Yet her book—about a closeted gay… Read More

The Nazi-Holocaust Survivor Romance Novel You Weren’t Waiting For, By Katherine Locke

From: http://forward.com/sisterhood/318755/nazi-romance August 7, 2015 A few weeks ago in New York City, Romance Writers of America held their annual conference. The agenda included the RITA awards, the equivalent of the Oscars of the romance writing world, and one of those nominees, for “Best Inspirational Romance” and “Best First Novel,” was a book called “For Such a Time” by Kate Breslin. “For Such a Time” is a retelling of the biblical book of… Read More

Editing Your Book: What Else?

In addition to the steps outlined by K. M. Weiland in “Your NaNo Novel Is a Hot Mess! How to Edit Your Book”, here are more things you can do to help make your book or story publication ready! Review each chapter and section for consistent and appropriate POV Fact check: place names historical events people’s names telephone numbers Geographic features key to the story fictional character names (Hester Prynne vs Hester… Read More

Your NaNo Novel Is a Hot Mess! How to Edit Your Book, by K. M. Weiland

From: http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/nano-novel-hot-mess-edit-book Yay, you wrote a book! Now what are you supposed to do with it? Writing a manuscript often feels like a sprint to a finish line–but then you reach that finish line, only to realize it’s really just the beginning! In many ways, completing a first draft is the easy part of the writing (what? no! yeah, sorry). The real business of writing begins with you have to sit down… Read More

8 Things to Cut When You Kill Your Darlings, by Kristen Kieffer

From: http://www.shesnovel.com/blog/kill-your-darlings If you’ve been writing for long, you’ve most likely heard the phrase “kill your darlings.” In fact, this phrase has become so ubiquitous that you probably roll your eyes upon reading it. But, as with many clichés, “kill your darlings” is popular for a reason; it’s a tried-and-true editing technique that can help you create the best version of your story. Don’t believe me? Take a look at these popular authors who have touted the phrase after finding it vital to… Read More

43 Words You Should Cut From Your Writing Immediately, by Diana Urban

In her article, “43 Words You Should Cut From Your Writing Immediately,” Diana Urban provides a useful list of watch words to eliminate from your writing. Check it out!  

Are These Filter Words Weakening Your Fiction? by Suzannah Windsor Freeman

“Are These Filter Words Weakening Your Fiction?” is a useful article on words to eliminate to make your fiction stronger. Well, ok, to make *my* fiction stronger.