Tag Archives: Writers Resources

developmental editor, Writing coach

Writing coach: Expanding my business

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2014-04-28 11.52.25

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.

Writing, Writing and photo prompts

Prompts: Writing and photo

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IMG_4774One of my resources to write is prompts, whether that be writing or picture.. My current WIP “Lost Faith” is based on a one line writing prompt. From that I wrote 1600 plus words making it a short story. Seeing I could do more with it I extended it to a short novella. Feeling I had more to say on it I continued and now it stands at over 50k words as I am working to make it a trilogy.

My short story and first paranormal piece ever “The Door In the Tree” came from a picture prompt of a door in a tree. It has received some lovely reviews from those who have read it. This is a genre I would never have thought to write in if I had not seen this prompt. My first ever crime novel which is still a WIP came from a small one line writing prompt.

So I am very bias when it comes to prompts and how effective they can be for writers and for me especially. They just open up new worlds to stories I would never consider writing in the first place. By writing outside my comfort zone and outside the box I am learning new ways to express the creations in my head. I like that.

It makes writing more interesting for me as I research to learn the new concepts I am working on. That is a winner winner chicken dinner for me. I love to learn, I have watched so many documentaries on History Channel I started seeing repeats. In this way I can extend that thirst for knowledge through a writing or picture prompt.

So no matter what you use to get the writer in you going whether that is a writing or picture prompt, memories and experiences you have had or an over active imagination, good for you. If it brings the stories to light onto paper for others to read that is what matters.

Cross Promotion, Writers helping writers, Writing

Cross Promotion: Let’s do it

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As an author it is needed to get out there and promote ourselves. One way I have found is to cross promote. This can be done in many ways. One can use their social media platform to tweet, post on Facebook and on Google Plus just to name a few.

There is another way that I have used in the past. I have hosted authors on this page to show their wares or one of their own post. In return some have returned the favor. I told myself late in 2014 that I needed to do this form of marketing more to spread my name out as well as others.

So this post is short and simple. If anyone wants to cross promote with me let me know in the comments or send an email. It could include a book release, an interview, a piece of writing or something else we can come up with. I feel as authors helping each other only helps ourselves. Let’s host each other.

I will be sending this message across my platform in hopes of getting some momentum for 2015. Let’s do this and make our platform shine more this year.