Category Archives: A blog about the topics of writing

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing thoughts

Flowery descriptions: Are you a fan?

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Do you love using flowery descriptions? Hmm, let me rephrase. Do you like flowery descriptions that go on page after page?

Count me as a resounding no. I know a few authors who love reading and writing in this format when it comes to descriptions. That is not me. I understand giving backstory, descriptive scenes, and the likes.

But what is the reason to give me over four to five pages of it? What happens is I will skim over it to make sure there is nothing that I need to know about the story. There are occasions I skip altogether.

I want the action, some action, heck, any action after reading about every aspect of a character’s clothing or household.

Maybe in some genres, this is how it works, but I don’t write in them.

Giving constructive criticism in a group setting, one has to balance telling the writer what works, does not work and make sure you don’t ruin what they feel is essential to their storyline.

I have heard some arguments why it is necessary. Granted, I have not agreed, but it is their story, and they will write it how they see fit.

But that is something you will never see in one of my books. If anyone happens to see it, please let me know. I must have been on a Pepsi withdrawal moment in my life where I was not thinking straight.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing tips and ideas

What languages are your books in?

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How many languages do you speak? It does not have to be fluent. At the moment, my Jasper, Amazon parrot series is in Spanish and Portuguese.

Or so I thought.

Someone asked me for a link to my books. Upon doing so, I found the image above. My book is now in Italian. I was happily surprised and a bit shock. Italian?

Now I don’t speak Spanish, Portuguese or Italian, but I intend on buying copies, if possible, of each language to have. Yes, I won’t be able to read them, LOL, but that is fine.

Jasper keeps on flying to areas for children to read and learn about the Amazon rainforest, the animals inside, and the problems they encounter.

I hope they enjoy and become passionate about the region and find a love for reading that will propel them to endless adventure through my books and others.

We are excited to see what other languages the books will Jasper will have.

May we be pleasantly surprised in the future.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing thoughts

Revising: When does it ever end for your manuscript?

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I always figured the hard part of being one was writing the book. I soon found out writing the book was one of the easiest parts of the journey.

Revising is a big part of getting one’s book in the best shape possible. If you don’t have all the ducks in a row the novel may not go very far.

But how many revisions and editing is too much? Can you go overboard and make it worse?

I get the fact that we want it as perfect as we can make it. But revision can take up a lot of one’s time. If you are fortunate to be part of a critique group or beta group, that can help you shave off some of that precious time.

But there comes a point where you have to say enough is enough. I’ve done all I can do and move that manuscript forever. That is not easy to do. We want it to fly as well as possible. It may even come to a point where we become obsessive in our revisions and editing. I have been there a few times. It is not fun. LOL

But at the end of the day, we need to step back and evaluate how close we are to being done, are we just tired of it all and let move on or realize that you have done all we can without ruining your story. Only you can decide when you are ready. Let’s hope you don’t keep your fans waiting so long they move on.