James Scott Bell suggests that writers should write their back cover blurb before they start writing. Before they even start outlining. He says:“When you are comfortable with your LOCK elements [Lead, Objective, Confrontation, Knockout – a system to work out a basic plot; described earlier in the book] move on to the writing of yourContinue reading “James Scott Bell says: Write your blurb before your outline. Thoughts?”
Tag Archives: forwriters
The Value of Community in Writing and Editing | A Gratitude Post
✨ A Gratitude Post to See Out the Week ✨ I joined a Zoom meeting the other night and felt nervous while waiting. It was a writers’ group, and their agenda mentioned editing. I thought it might be helpful to join, hoping I could offer something valuable to the discussion. Even if I stayed quiet,Continue reading “The Value of Community in Writing and Editing | A Gratitude Post”
What this editor wants to know from the word go and why this enquiry ticks many boxes
Here’s what I love about this email that landed in my inbox this morning. ⭐ ‘Indie author’: I’m all about the indies, and I love helping early-career authors. 📞 ‘Someone suggested I contact you’: Excellent. I love to hear from people who’ve come to me via word-of-mouth recommendations. 💬 ‘Would love to chat’: Me too.Continue reading “What this editor wants to know from the word go and why this enquiry ticks many boxes”
Talking to an editor: enrichment for all!
Apparently, talking to me is ‘enriching’! I’ve just come off a Zoom call with the student newspaper group at Notre Dame College in Leeds. I was invited along to talk about my job as an editor. What I really wanted to do was to set my job in context and to show the Year 12sContinue reading “Talking to an editor: enrichment for all!”
Between the lines: Cherry Edits off the books.
I live and breathe books: that’s true. And a bookish life is the best life of all. But like all the best novels, worldbuilding matters. Today, I’ll share a wider view of what I get up to when I’m not editing. Claire Cronshaw bakes! I’m a basic baker. I often use the cook book that’sContinue reading “Between the lines: Cherry Edits off the books.”
It’s late. You’re reading. You’ll treat youself to the next chapter if… (Poll)
This poll was surprisingly tricky to construct; we all read at different speeds and perhaps our format choice affects our answer… So please take this poll as a jumping-off point, really. I’m interested to hear what the cut-off is when you’re at the end of a chapter and you decide whether or not you wantContinue reading “It’s late. You’re reading. You’ll treat youself to the next chapter if… (Poll)”
Get Your Novel Editor-Ready free webinar: registration closes soon
Early-career writers. Sitting on the fence about whether to join the Get Your Novel Editor-Ready webinar tomorrow? Here’s a taster from our last session in January.* 🔎 We show you examples of writing craft gone awry to help you fine-tune your radar for spotting glitches in your own writing. Tomorrow we will cover POV/Perspective asContinue reading “Get Your Novel Editor-Ready free webinar: registration closes soon”
Is it sprang or sprung?
🌷 Spring has sprung. Or at least it will soon. But what we know for sure is that it hasn’t ‘sprang’. Tis the season for a grammar explainer. 🦘 The Present Tense: ‘Spring’. I’m looking at the verb today. ‘Spring’ as in ‘to jump’. Like that mnemonic for the clocks: ‘Spring forward, fall back.’ LoveContinue reading “Is it sprang or sprung?”
Crafting connections: the power of social opportunities for people-person writers and editors.
Social energy is poweful. As a people-person writer, embrace opportunities for interaction. Not all writers are introverts. Gain inspiration from coffee meetups, virtual accountability groups, and writers’ cafes. Let social interactions fuel your creativity and propel your writing forward.
Mother’s Day or Mothers’ Day? Where should the apostrophe go?
🌷It’s Mothering Sunday here in the UK. And if you’ve been wondering where to put the apostrophe in your card… ✅ I can confirm it should go between the ‘R’ and the ‘S’. Mother’s Day Yes, more than one mum is celebrating a special day today, but it’s convention to treat it as a singular.Continue reading “Mother’s Day or Mothers’ Day? Where should the apostrophe go?”
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