Category Archives: A blog about the topics of writing

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?

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing thoughts

Writing my first death scene

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I wrote my first death scene last year. Before I go any further, this book is for YA and up. People know me for my Jasper series, a children’s series. But I do write in YA and Adult as well. The Jasper series was the first one out.

When I wrote this scene, the death one, it just flowed. I am unsure if I read too many mystery and action books or watch too much TV. But it didn’t take me long to write close to 1000 words on this. It did care me when I giggled upon finishing. Either that was due to me writing it, how it seemed effortless, or perhaps it made me nervous about how much fun I had doing it. As someone who has written children’s books, it was an odd experience. But what was fun was when I told other authors about this experience and how they laughed with me at my glee. #Writersgetme

I lost nine characters during the fight. I was making up for lost time, is my thinking. The scene is unfinished. I am unsure where it will show up in this WIP. I’m hoping it progresses the storyline to the reader.

If it is this much fun doing this kind of writing, perhaps I will spend more time on it. While volume four of my series is in the last edits, volume five may have to take a break.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing

Getting a bad review if you are an author: It will happen

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Bad reviews come in a few forms. One reason is it comes from a troll, someone who read it and didn’t like it to three, you read their book, and they didn’t get the review they wanted.

When my first book came out, I did receive a bad review. Now I have read enough where having a bad review is good. However, this review came one day after the book was released, and according to the site, it had been a print book.

Last time I checked, regular mail does not bring a book in one day. So I talked to Amazon, and over the following months, they removed it, the person placed it again, Amazon removed it, and so on. But finally, the review didn’t return.

But again, having a bad review can be a good thing.

How so?

It is similar to a child that has been told not to do something. But they
go about it anyway behind the parent’s backs.

When people see a bad review, but all the other ratings are high, it might make you take a chance on the book. I know that has worked for me anyway. The bottom line it is a review which means it is getting noticed.

Look, I get it. A bad review is not fun to get, but you know what every author deals with it, even the authors who are well-established. I have read a few books written by some best sellers to authors I know, and they don’t always hit a home run.

And as a writer, you must have tough skin, for not everyone will like your work. It happens to the majority of writers if not all. The sooner you can accept it will happen, the easier it will be. Spend your time and energy on your next novel.