Tag Archives: Book

Finding ideas to write about, what's the topic?

How many ideas do you have to write about?

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Do you ever take a break from writing or is it with you constantly? I ask for one simple reason. My friend Adrianne said that I am always looking at objects, people and so on for possible story ideas. The funny thing is I had not noticed I did that until she brought it up. I so do this.

One member of one of my writing group made this statement. “I only have this idea the book I am working on.” That floored me and honestly the whole group. I personally have a few notebooks with pages and pages of ideas, summaries or plot scenes for potential novels. If I stopped adding ideas to this book and finished each one I would have to live another 100-200 years. And yet I add more ideas. It’s insane that I do this.

With me being a photographer as well I am always looking for “the shot” to capture so between these two fields it’ not surprising that my brain goes into this mode.

Is this something you do? Or do you work on one project, finish it and move on to another? Do you work on more than one project at a time? I know I do. Do you have ideas for multiple genres or primarily the one you work in? It keeps the mind active and ongoing which helps as we get older.

Maybe I need to write one of those prompt books that we see and use my ideas for that. Maybe someone could work on the idea further then I have. Nay. I just need to live for a very long time. 🙂

Author, My 4th book "Everyday Musings"

“Everyday Musings”: My anthology

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One of my publishers just sent me a proof for the book that will be released on Sept. 30th. “Everyday Musings” is an anthology of short stories and poetry. It looks fantastic. The company did an amazing job. This will be my fourth book on my own. #Author #EverydayMusings #Amazed I know the picture is not doing the cover justice but was so excited I shook as I took the shot.

 

Editing your work, Editors for authors, Writing resources

Editors: Do you have one?

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Years before I started writing I knew virtually nothing, if anything, about the craft. Yes I knew how to write but where to go from there? My English when it comes to grammar, run off sentences, prepositions, dangling participles and past tenses might as well be a foreign language to me. If you are like me then a good editor is absolutely needed. But what kind of editor do you need?

Editors ranges from content to copy to line editor. You also have your proof reader, critique partner and beta reader to boot to think about. There is also your developmental part which is what I do.

Who you choose all depends at what stage of your book you are at. Editors can be pricey but after working so hard on your manuscript do you want to leave it to chance you got every single thing right?

I know my line editor is awesome. I have had a few publishers comment on my manuscript noting how professionally it was edited. That is all her and no one but her.

Will you need more than one editor? If you can afford to then do so. You need to get your work in the best possible shape you can get it in before you start submitting for publication. Publishers get thousands and thousands of mail from writers. One good way for them to toss it in the slush pile is for it not being properly edited.

Even if you self publish, all it takes is for a few readers to read your works and rate it low due to the edits. Do enough books like this and readers will notice. You still need a editor regardless how you publish your writings.

Not sure where to start? Ask other writers. If you are part of a writing group ask the members in there. Look online,check out websites that are designed to help you to find an editor of any kind. But take the time to do this. Your work took you a long time to complete, why short change it now that it is ready to shine? This is not an area you short change yourself.