How do you concentrate on more than one book at once?

❓’How do you stop yourself getting drawn into the novel and staying in the proofreading zone?’ I was asked this question on LinkedIn the other day when I said I was proofreading a thriller, and it got me thinking… I find it pretty straightforward to compartmentalise what I’m reading. I always have several books onContinue reading “How do you concentrate on more than one book at once?”

Do you need a space between the number and the symbol in percentages? That’s where the Chigago Manual of Style comes in handy!

My buddy for today’s work. To be a good proofreader and editor, you don’t need to know everything. You just need to know what to look up and where. Armed with this book, Google and editorial buddies, I can find the answers to life’s big questions like: πŸ’― Should there be a space between theContinue reading “Do you need a space between the number and the symbol in percentages? That’s where the Chigago Manual of Style comes in handy!”

I enjoy flexing my imagination at creative writing groups. Do you?

I attended Shap writing group again yesterday, this time on Zoom. My second time joining in and it was a lot of fun. There are some proper characters in the group. I mean that with affection. 😊 Like the first time I met them and one of them said he lives near the house whichContinue reading “I enjoy flexing my imagination at creative writing groups. Do you?”

Q. How do I get my book finished this year? A. Read this. β¬‡οΈ

πŸ“ Why booking a slot with me will help you finish your novel. Have you decided 2022 is the year you’ll finish and publish your book? I can help you make that happen. — πŸ”Š I’m partway through listening to Robert B. Cialdini Ph.D’s book, Influence. A scenario he shares about a woman who wantedContinue reading “Q. How do I get my book finished this year? A. Read this. β¬‡οΈ”

What’s it like working with me? Check out this testimonial.

πŸŽ‰ A new testimonial. This has kindly been sent to me by S. A. Houghton, author of ‘A Father’s Love’. “Claire was recommended to me by another author, and boy am I glad. I am a first time author so there was quite a lot of work to be done. Still, Claire was able toContinue reading “What’s it like working with me? Check out this testimonial.”

Key message in The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday: stoicism rocks!

So I listened to The Obstacle Is The Way over a couple of days. Finished it while cooking New Year lunch. Unbelievable that Ryan Holiday was 26 when he wrote this. Clever so-and-so! This is what happens when someone reads ALL the books. Great interview with Tim Ferriss at the end as well. Key themes:Continue reading “Key message in The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday: stoicism rocks!”

Why I offer a free sample edit/proofread to indie fiction authors.

Before the festivities begin tomorrow, I’ll be working on a sample proofread for a thriller writer. 1000 words from the middle of his manuscript*. It’s such an important stage of working with a potential client. βœ”οΈ It gives me a flavour of the writer’s style and story.βœ”οΈ I get a sense of how much interventionContinue reading “Why I offer a free sample edit/proofread to indie fiction authors.”

What are your goals for 2022? Mine are theme-based.

⚠️ Entering betwixtmas zone. That strange time of reflection, looking back over the weirdness of 2021. And looking forward to what 2022 may bring. It’s the same for me, for sure. 🎯 Every success comes with a double pat on the back due to being completed in a time of weirdness. 😬 Every ‘failure’ comesContinue reading “What are your goals for 2022? Mine are theme-based.”

Looking for an editor with industry-recognised training credentials? That’s me.

πŸ‘©β€πŸŽ“ Course done and dusted. I really feel this CIEP fiction course has supercharged the next steps of my career development. I will probably still call myself a proofreader. This is the most common subject line for indie authors contacting me. And some people do want a proofread, as in the final spit and polish,Continue reading “Looking for an editor with industry-recognised training credentials? That’s me.”

Yesterday I attended a creative writing group. Do you go to one?

πŸ“Έ You know when you’ve been somewhere so often that it doesn’t even cross your mind to take a photo? That’s the case with me and Shap, Cumbria. πŸ‘πŸš—πŸ‘ I’ve just scrolled through my photos to see whether I had anything I could use to illustrate my post and it’s slim pickings. Just this oneContinue reading “Yesterday I attended a creative writing group. Do you go to one?”