Has this ever happened to you? You’re editing your manuscript, but everything– literally everything– reads awful. It’s all boring, it’s all confusing, it’s all poorly written. It didn’t feel like that yesterday, but today, it’s all garbage. I’m here to tell you that the problem isn’t your writing: the problem is exhaustion. How to make…
Category: Editing
The Self-Editing Checklist: What you can fix yourself
I finished my manuscript! Now, that is a wonderful feeling, and one I hope to replicate many times in the future. But, it’s not all fun and games, yet. My friend is a book coach, and after reading over my story, she informed me there was still a lot of work to be done. She…
What I Learned From a Sample Edit
What happens when you’ve completed your first draft and don’t know what to do next? Last year, I completed the first draft of a dystopian novel. Since then, I’ve felt stuck. I’ve been paralyzed by fear and self-doubt. I know it needs work, but I was unmotivated to go back in to shine this rough…
How to Write Compelling Dialogue
For those who struggle to write compelling dialogue that sounds like actual people talking, this one’s for you! We got some of the best tips to help you out.
A How-To Guide for Structuring Dialogue
Structuring dialogue can be anxiety-inducing when you try to remember all the rules—and there a quite a few. Don’t worry we’ll help walk you through it.
Em Dashes vs. En Dashes: How to Use Each
Some authors just avoid dashes. We get it. The truth is the difference between em dashes vs. en dashes is very clear and concise. Let me show you the rules.
How to use a semicolon correctly in your story
How the heck do you use a semicolon? It’s not quite a comma or a period, so what are you supposed to do with it? Let us help you out with that one. Here we go!
Grammar Rules for Colons: How to avoid misuse
What are the rules for colons? How do you know when to substitute for something else? There are so many options for these two little dots. Let’s explore a few.
Comma rules and how to not break them
Commas clarify. But if used incorrectly, they just add confusion. Like all grammar rules, sometimes comma rules can be broken. Let’s get into the basics.
How to format a book: turning words into a product
If you’re new to publishing, then figuring out how to format a book can be incredibly intimidating. It’s also probably the thing you forget about until you’re done writing, and then you realize that you have to, you know, actually turn it into a book. Formatting involves a ton of tiny decisions that can be…