A blog about the topics of writing

Do you read your manuscript aloud?

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When was the last time you read a book out loud? I can say for me personally it was last year. I was not reading it to a child or a group of children. I was not reading it to anyone in particular. I was actually just reading my latest project.

We, as writers, will edit our WIP and edit it to death only to do it a few more times. But we won’t catch everything. Hence why we have beta readers, critique groups and poor souls who we ask for help. That will get more if not all of the mistakes out of your manuscript.

But there is always the mistakes that no one sees. But we are not just talking about grammar. I’m talking about loopholes, inconsistencies and the likes. That is how I found out in my Jasper series I had named their mom Sally by the name of Sarah and a few other S names. No one had picked up on that. But after reading it out loud I caught it.

Yes, it is time-consuming and you will want to rush it or maybe stop completely, especially if your novel runs in the thousands of words. So how important is it to you? How perfect do you want it to be? Are you okay, once the book goes to print only to find mistakes?

It all depends on how you want your work and you to be represented. We are not going to get all the mistakes every single time but a good effort certainly can’t hurt.

A blog on writing, Sharon C. Williams

Ghostwriting

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Have you ever wondered how athletes, actors or big name people get their book out? Some do write it but a good portion uses ghostwriters giving the author what they want to see inside the book. So have you ever thought to becoming a ghostwriter or to using one for yourself?

The opportunity has risen for me twice but both never panned out. In a way that is good for I was not sure how I felt about becoming a ghostwriter. The pros: It is a paying gig. You add a new skill to your resume. You might get future work with this. The con: You get no credit for the work. If the book does well you don’t get a bit of the profit since your job ended when the book was finished.

So what would you do? Would you be willing to write what could very well be the next best-selling book but have someone else’s name on it? Or what you get paid would that be enough for a job well done?

It is something I have gone over back and forth when I was asked if I would consider doing this. I’m still not sure One can’t have it both ways. If the chance came around again and it was something that would be followed through I would have to decide yes or no. And if the price was right that could easily tip it over. 🙂

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Has your journey as a writer been great?

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I been spring cleaning my office. It is something I have been avoiding for way too long. With it came two full cabinets stuffed with papers that I had to go through one by one. Joy, right? The bookcases were not bad. The roll cart that is dedicated to writing and etc was easy peasy. But the file cabinets not so much

But as I sorted through sheet after sheet of paper I found some awesome stuff. Cards from years and years from my husband with his message inside each one. I came across some old pictures that made me pause and smile as the memories came back alive. I came across stacks and stacks of papers concerning writing whether it was an article, an old notebook from classes I have taken, notes from a conference, pictures from conferences I been to and so on.

I have been doing this a while now, writing. It really has flown. People have asked me, “Hey, are you still writing?” I get why and yes I am. In fact one book has been ready since March of last year but life gets in the way at times.

It was awesome to find photocopies of quotes I have received or made myself. I saw an old calendar of my events, programs and speaking engagements I have done over the years. It has truly gone by so fast. But it has been a great experience for me for this is something I never expected to be doing when I was younger. Heck, even years ago.

So while it took me a number of trash bags, a lot of shredding, a lot of filing and finding room for everything my office is now in order and there is a place for everything so I am better organized. That alone was worth it. But the journey to get here was hard work but so much fun as I scanned visually the last few years as an author. It has been really great, I have met some amazing people, I have formed long-lasting friendships that go beyond writing, and I have come to be happy with this.

I hope those who are writers who follow me can say the same that the journey has been worth it,

The Musings of A New Englander