The English language is resplendent with homophones—words which are spelled differently but pronounced alike. By some estimates, there are more than four hundred such conundrums. Examples are the words ail and ale, bate and bait, cheap and cheep, and so on. My favorite pair is cereal and serial. A misuse of this duo gives a…
Tag: writing process
Developmental Edits Part 3: Receiving Feedback
It’s finally here — that email in your inbox from the editor you hired to provide feedback on your WIP! For advice on securing a good developmental editor, you can read my older post here. The developmental letter: My first tip is fairly pedestrian. Sorry. But… breathe! Deeply and deliberately. Be present. Remember that writing…
Preparing for a Developmental Edit (Part 2: Waiting)
For more context on this topic, please see my post from last month on how to find an editor for your WIP. As a quick recap, interviewing your editor beforehand will lay the best groundwork for understanding the type of edit you’ve requested and the context for the advice (eventually) given. Now all you can…
I’ll Keep Penning Short Reads
For years I’ve wondered how I’ll ever be considered a serious author if I can only complete short stories. I belong to several writing groups where most members proudly mention how many books they’ve published, or how close they are to finishing their second book, or their third, or their ninth. Wisely I don’t join the…
Writing Process: Shutting Down Your Inner Editor—Or Not
There’s nothing like writing to expose all your personality quirks. And by quirks, of course, I mean all those precious little neuroses, psychoses, proclivities, and the flat-out whack-a-doodleness that make you… you. Or is that just me? I’m going to assume I’m in good company. Humor me. I’m a bit of a perfectionist. (I’ll just…