Tag Archives: Writers Resources

Social Media, Social platform for writers

Do you have a social platform?

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Do you consider your writing a business? If so do you have a social platform to go with it? Is it important to you to start one?

I feel it is. Why this topic for the week? I have quite a few writer friends who don’t have one, feel they should but haven’t started or feel it is not needed. For years I would harp to them about social media and why I felt it was important for us as writers. It fell on deaf ears. I even offered to show them for free what I had learned and that also fell on deaf ears.

When I first started my platform I had just finished the first draft of my first book. I had read an article in Writer’s Digest where the author stated the importance of a platform. She left her Twitter handle for us to follow. I did. That was the bread crumb that got me on my way.

Since then I have given a couple of workshops on creating an author’s platform and I am due to give another one in a couple of months. Thanks to my platform I met my two current publishers, editor and graphic artist. Through my platform I have had submission editors helped me with my query letter to submit to publishers. When you have a sea of people in these groups it can be scary to reach out or know where to reach out.

All of these came through due to my platform I started. By the way it was all free. My brand is what I work on and what better way then social media? Use what works for you, there are enough different outlets to choose from just toss what doesn’t.

It took you a long time to write your book, edit and revise it and get it in tip-top shape. Don’t you want to help it move alone or would you rather it just sit on your computer?

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.

developmental editor, Writing coach

Writing coach: Expanding my business

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I obtained a new client in July. He wanted me to look over his two manuscripts and to tell him what I thought. I asked if he wanted me to check plots, dialogue, loop holes, pace and all that good stuff. He said yes and more. His manuscripts came to 406 pages. At first I was overwhelmed when he handed it over to me. Normally my clients have smaller works. With him being okay with my fee I took him on.

Like most anything, you start at the beginning. I work in increments of an hour at a time. I take a few minutes to walk around and then attack it for another hour. I had asked if it was edited and was told yes to not worry about any of that. After reading the first few chapters I quickly reminded myself how fortunate I am for my editor who is worth her weight in gold for I did see some errors which I noted. Now I don’t edit like a line editor. I let every one of my clients know that. It is not my thing. I have someone for that. But I do the rest of what a book should contain for it to be a good read for others.

The story as I got more into it was one I really enjoyed. I just finished the first novel and will start on the second one any day now. This was a fun read even though it was work and I am excited for the second volume.

Something of this length helped my own writings as I narrow in on things it was missing or things that needed to be expanded on. It help[s me stay in touch on what needs to be included in my own works. This can only be a win win for me.