Editing & Writing Tips
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How to Choose Your Editor(s)
Experience is a key aspect of finding the right editor to work with, but it’s not the only thing to consider. I like to break down my list of things to ask/information to gather into two levels: the vibe check and the details.
Finding Comps
When looking for comps, stop seeking exact matches and look instead for books that relate to your themes, plot, style and voice, characters, and the general structure of the journey or tale you’re...
Be Wary of Vague Pronoun References
A vague pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could be referring to multiple antecedents. This lack of clarity can lead to confusion, especially in scenes with a lot of people speaking/acting or...
Tackle Manuscript Revisions in Passes
Revising a first (or second or third) draft can feel overwhelming. Make it easier on yourself by working in pieces—or passes.
Don’t Overuse Character Names in Dialogue
Repeating character names throughout a conversation can come across as stiff and ingenuous.
Improve Your Dialogue with a Mentor Text Exercise
Mentor texts can be a great way to study rhythm and style within a beloved novel. (See my previous tip on using mentor texts.) They can also help writers who struggle with dialogue to learn the art...
Deep Third-Person Point of View
Deep third-person point of view is a form of limited third POV that immerses your reader in the experience of your character by removing most of the narrative voice. It can help bring a stronger...
When Revising, Ask Yourself: Who Cares?
The question may come across as harsh, but it’s one of the simplest ways to decide if elements within your story are working for it, against it, or if (worst case scenario) they’re doing nothing at...
DON’T Query (or Publish) That First Draft!
If you’re planning to query, don’t do so with your first or second draft—and especially not with that rough draft you’re hoping to finish (or have finished) as part of this month’s writers’ contest....
Embrace Variation in Your Writing Style
Do you worry that your writing sounds robotic or monotonous? Sometimes when we're learning to write or rushing to capture a scene on paper, we fall into repetitive structures that result in writing...
“Writing is rewriting.” –Donald Murray
Murray's quote is one that's commonly referenced (sometimes stated as "writing is revising" or some other variation). However you've heard them said, these are three simple words of hard truth....
Organizing Your Developmental Revisions
When transitioning from your drafting phase to revision, it can be useful to approach your changes from the biggest level of edits (plot holes, character development, etc.) first and work your way...
Avoiding Agent and Publisher Scams
Writers want their book babies to be handled and cared for by folks who are truly invested in them and their work. But whether you're hoping to publish traditionally or to self-publish, there are...
Take Advantage of Grants for Writers & Artists
There’s a hard truth when it comes to self-publishing: the cost falls on the shoulders of the writer, and—when publishing is done right—that cost can be high! If you’re struggling with the costs...
Expanding Your Network, Part II: Literary Events
See Expanding Your Network, Part I: Associations Last week, I highlighted a few writers'/editors' associations to help you begin (or continue) growing your network. This week, I'm focusing on the...
Expanding Your Network, Part I: Associations
Social media is great for beginning to build your writing (or editing) community. Whether your book is out and you need it boosted, you’re in the querying trenches and need to feel understood, or...
Happy Anniversary to In the Margins
Today is the official one-year anniversary of In the Margins! Fact: Although I’ve been freelance editing since my early 20s—over 16 years now (ouch)—it wasn’t until 2022 that I officially formed my...
Remember: Feedback is Subjective
The end of August was a bit of a hassle with some emergency vet visits (all good now!), so after a brief hiatus from the Friday Tips, I'm back! Writers, you don’t have to accept every edit or...
Writing Believable Dialogue
You've likely heard the advice that you shouldn't write as you speak. When we talk, our sentences are often clipped, full of pauses or ums and ahs, and depending on how quickly our mind is moving,...
Authors, You NEED a Website!
As we witness an upheaval taking place across the social media landscape, it’s important for authors to have a website to serve as the centerpiece of their author brand presence. For many, it sounds...
Create Flawed Characters
Don’t be afraid to get rough with your characters, even if—no, especially if—you love them. If you make their path too easy, your novel will suffer. Why? Because characters who are perfect, or who...
Let Your Story Come to You However it Wants
Think of your story like a puzzle. We don't put pieces together in a specific order. Some people dive in, some look for corners or edges, working inward. The full picture will come together...
Trust Your Creative Gut
Writing one scene but thinking of another? You risk losing a great idea if you force yourself to work on one thing when your mind is itching to work through other ideas. Trust your creative gut and...
Plan Your “Freebies” Early
Writers, you should start thinking about your marketing strategy early—even while you're still revising. Cutting major chapters and scenes? Don't throw them away! Save them in a separate file and...
Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate
If an editor (or cover designer, illustrator, book formatter, etc.) seems out of your price range, don't give up! Ask if they have another service that you could benefit from, or if they provide a...
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