All posts by NewEngland_Muse

I'm a traditionally and self published author. I write in the genre of children and YA at the moment but working my way up to adults. I'm a sports loving, photo taking gal who loves to sing/dance to my own enjoyment. I love to laugh even at myself. I am also owned by 8 birds and 2 hamsters, and yes they know it. :)
A blog about the topics of writing, Writing

I have submitted two more books for publications: Why I write

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I submitted the fourth volume of my Jasper, Amazon Parrot series to my publishers. I would not fathom saying this statement post-2010. The title is Jasper, Amazon Parrot: The Jungle Rescue.

Happily, my publisher accepted it. I also submitted my second volume to my Squirrel Mafia series. I will have seven books written when they are both published.

I have a few minutes to breathe before both publishers come back to me with final edits, cover design, and launch.

Do I make Stephen King or James Patterson money? Not by a long shot. But writing something that people will buy and enjoy is a thrill and empowerment that would not find any other way.

My latest review on Amazon came from a mother who wrote what her child said to her after they read volume one of my Jasper, Amazon parrot series.

My kid: it made me feel happy, calm, and emotional in some parts. 📗🦜🦜

I enjoy reading this book to my kid.

A grandfather bought volume one for his grandson for Christmas one year. The young child was playing an electronic game on the couch when he received the gift. He put down the game and started to read. He continued to the end of the book. He asked his grandfather where the second volume was.

I want children to read more and learn about this area in our world, the Amazon rainforest. Down the road, these children could be warriors for it.

So, no, I don’t make Stephen King or James Patterson money, but what I do make is a joy inside that I would not get if I didn’t write.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing topics

Do you research topics in your book?: Regardless of the genre

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Do you research your writings of any kind? Whether it’s a short story, novella, or novel?

I entered a short story in one of Writer’s Digest’s many contests. The only condition is that it has to be under 4k. Still, there were a couple of sections that I did a bit of research to make it accurate.

For my children’s series, I have notes for each animal in the book to be sure they are in the region I am writing in. I have checked to be sure the scenery is how it’s supposed to be. I have pages of links that I have used to prove my research. Some people have mentioned this genre does not need it. It is such a big part of the book. You get one big thing wrong, and the person who knows about it to read your book, prepare yourself for that review.

I was reading a book for review, and the author mentioned how his cockatiel could sing songs with 40 different lyrics. I knew that was inaccurate. I let it go. But every time he went to his office, this bird would sing.

I knew again this was wrong. How? At that point, I had been rescuing and adopting birds for over 15 years, and of the ones with me were four cockatiels. While they can sing multiple songs and sounds, I have never heard them sing the words to them. I even contacted a breeder I knew who had been doing this for over 40 years, and she laughed at me. It did ruin what was a great book.

You never know who reads your book. If your novel would benefit from research, do it.

A blog about the topics of writing, Where do you find your editor?

My critique groups are my editors: Really?

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A fellow author told me, “I don’t need an editor. You guys are my editors.” I think my mouth dropped. While a writing group helps with edits, plots, pace, and loopholes, we are not a full-proof editorial services company.

Sadly some writers do feel this way. A few things can go wrong in this setting. For this particular group and member, she is at every meeting, makes sure she submits every single time and hates it when time gets away from us. That is what happened to her to make that remark. You may submit a manuscript that will get tossed in file 13 for the errors found inside. The dynamics can change if this is the only place she gets help for her work.

Editors are expensive. I mean EXPENSIVE. While my two publishers have editors on staff for my manuscript, you have to submit a top-notch edited piece first, not one riddled with mistakes. As an author, I am fortunate my editor is spot-on great at her job.

There are places one can find an editor if one can not afford the prices. I have heard of writers asking professors from colleges or high schools, editors just starting on their own, and even English majors who are about to or have already graduated.

One spends so much time writing their manuscript, including editing and revising it. Your work deserves the best shot at making it. Why sell itself short?