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

Editing another person’s work is a good thing: Honest

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I am a development editor apart from being an author.

Working on other writers’ works helps us zone in on editing and revising even if it is not one’s own. It’s good practice for when I do my work.

It also builds up relationships with other writers.

When we edit our WIP, we tend to glaze over mistakes by the millionth time we go over it as we meticulously want it to be as perfect as possible. It does not matter how minimal the edit is when we think we are closer to something we will never get to with our manuscript. Perfection

We can get close. We need beta readers, critique groups, and editors to help us with the process. And a long process it is especially if your WIP is a nice size from 80 K words and more. My Jasper Amazon parrot and Squirrel Mafia series are not even close to that. Yet, I have three manuscripts in that range, and getting ready to revise is daunting. Not to mention an unwelcome one to boot.

But it is part of getting our work out to the public.

We can’t avoid it. No, that isn’t right. We shouldn’t avoid it. Putting out a poorly edited product will only get you so far, even if that step one can see from one’s doorstep.

So, the better we are at it, the more your work will shine. Even if that means editing another WIP.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing Advice

It’s okay to fail in writing: Seriously

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t’s okay to fail when it comes to your writing. You have probably have already many times and will again.

How can we fail? For me, it’s grammar and tenses. Those are my Kryptonite, at the top of the list.

Another way to fail is failing to run it by an editor and critique group. Authors also do not learn about social media before they promote to the top of the world that their book is complete. Now, buy it. Failing to do the proper research for your book can doom it.

But there are instances where failing is needed to improve. One volume of my Jasper, Amazon Parrot series had me writing a three-page scene about elephants. I was sure these animals lived in the same area. It occurred to me to do a simple search when I finished the section. But I did so I could confirm I was right. I was so massively wrong.

One should define in their writing career what aspect of it you consider failing. For me, one way to stop submitting to publishers after getting rejected would have been a failure.

What works for me might not work for you.

I suggest you take a few minutes to determine the line between calling something a failure versus something you are okay with at the end of the day. It could save your sanity and those around you.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing topics

Writer’s block: Kryptonite for writers

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How many of us have experienced writer’s block? I have told people that I have not had this issue. But that is not how I should word it. What I do when I get stuck is work on another project. Another WIP that I can spend time on until I am ready for the one that slowed me down.

I work on multiple writings at any given time to keep my mind on point with the different genres, characters, plots, and more.

It keeps me writing, regardless of what, and moving forward.

I have heard from many writers who need time to walk away, some putting their projects down and simply walking away.

Getting stuck is not fun. Not knowing how to continue, how to improve, and how to get over the hump varies. What works for some does not for others. People who hear I write on more than one project will wonder how I do it. Or better yet, why I do it. But it comes in part when I need a break from another project or when I am stuck.

One thing that has worked is when I am so horribly stuck and not motivated to work on another project. I will write something, anything to keep writing. It could include a blog post, a tweet, working on editing, or hanging around other like-minded people. Things will keep me in the frame of mine of writing until I am ready to work on my current WIP.

Block from writing is not fun. It can plague and discourage us. But when it happens, write on something, anything to keep your creative mind going forward until your brain one day is ready to get back to your project.

The Musings of A New Englander