Once you’re ready to hire an editor (or two), you may start to see “sample edit” popping up. A sample edit is a short edit a freelancer may offer on a chapter or small excerpt of work by an author who is interested in hiring them and with whom they...
While the omniscient point of view (POV) is considered a bit outdated today—with favor being given to third-person limited or first-person—it still comes up now and again. And with it there is the danger of head-hopping, or jumping from one perspective to another. Why...
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 in scenes with a lot of action, such as a fight. I spot vague pronouns...
Revising a first (or second or third) draft can feel overwhelming. Make it easier on yourself by working in pieces—or passes. Rather than trying to fix plot holes alongside misplaced commas, instead deal with the big problems first and work your way down to typos....
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 all. Ask (and be honest with) yourself: Is this information that we...
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. While everyone has their own process, the...
