Are you looking to have your short story or novel professionally edited? I am opening up limited slots at prices that can’t be beat for both content editing (get input on characters/plot/other story mechanics, plus feedback on any specific questions you might have) and copyediting (grammar and style). I am open to different genres, thoughContinue reading “Openings for clients”
Category Archives: Writing Articles
A reflection on character relationships
I believe writers have quirks that appear across the broad body of their works — little nuggets of ourselves that we can’t help but deposit. Whether it is reoccurring themes or just elements of our life experiences, they appear in the black and white of our prose. And as I continue editing my Scifi novel,Continue reading “A reflection on character relationships”
Don’t fence me in
Much like actors, I think writers often worry about being typecasted, so they carefully select a genre and stick with it. I’ve not really had that mindset. I like reading various genres and have aspirations to write in quite a few, particularly several branches of speculative fiction, historical fiction and perhaps even a western orContinue reading “Don’t fence me in”
Webinars, a writer’s hankering
Not too long ago, I had the opportunity to attend a webinar. Of course, the topic wasn’t too exciting and had to do with converting a fleet from traditional fuels to gaseous fuels — oh the life of a journalist, you are constantly picking up bits of information that you never thought you would needContinue reading “Webinars, a writer’s hankering”
Why I love creative writing
There is nothing like working as copy editor in an area of writing with strict guidelines to make you appreciate creative writing. Because in the world of journalism and house rules, creativity is often put on a sacrificial altar — well, if you haven’t earned the right to use “I” — to meet strict viewpointsContinue reading “Why I love creative writing”
Seven things every writer needs to do
Sometimes every little bit is needed to help spark the writing juices, from spicing up the routine to creating healthy additions. Here are seven tips to do just that and even improve your writing routine — some of these you might already do, but with luck a few of these might be of use toContinue reading “Seven things every writer needs to do”
Character Series: Fears and Phobias
Everyone is afraid of something — heck, even Indiana Jones is. And you know what? That only makes us human. We all know what it is like to be afraid, whether it’s snakes, heights, confined spaces, fire, death, rodents, flying, aliens, dogs, drowning, etc. I personally have an almost debilitating fear of heights; I getContinue reading “Character Series: Fears and Phobias”
Who Said What: Dialogue Tags and Properly Punctuating Them
Dialogue tags play a vital rule in fiction. They provide clarity to readers about who is speaking. Of course, not every quote requires a dialogue tag, but it should be a rule of thumb that where there is the potential for confusion, a tag should be placed. So what is a dialogue tag? They areContinue reading “Who Said What: Dialogue Tags and Properly Punctuating Them”
World-building Series: Diversity
Diversity is the spice of life and has brought humanity several great things from tasty foods, fun festivals and a variety of sports to different arts and music. However, diversity can serve as a double-edged sword, resulting in conflicts, because — let’s face — it humans often have a fear of “otherness.” Whether that “otherness”Continue reading “World-building Series: Diversity”
Pause before you place that comma
Just because you have two or more adjectives before a noun doesn’t necessarily mean you need to place a comma between each one. This is one of my biggest pet peeves as a copyeditor, right up there with hyphens attaching a -ly adjective to another adjective (ex. publicly-owned building should be publicly owned building) orContinue reading “Pause before you place that comma”
Blood & Ink 