2021 served as a year of change for me, starting on a low note by not receiving a dream job. However, a few months later, I landed another dream job, which I think has been dreamier. Because I’m a glutton for punishment, I’ve stayed on as a part-time editor for one publication at my previousContinue reading “Reflection And A Glance At What’s Ahead”
Tag Archives: editing
Beta readers wanted!
Beta readers are a major part of the writing process for most writers. They help catch issues with manuscript that a writer, far too close to it, might miss or not even consider. For the beta reader, they get to read a book before anyone else! It is a win-win situation for all parties involved.Continue reading “Beta readers wanted!”
Descent update and other life events
I’m approaching the midpoint in initial Descent edits, which is massively behind where I’d envisioned I would be in April. I’ve been under a lot of stress in my professional life as I looked to transition from one career to a new one. Pair that with a nasty upper respiratory infection, and you’ve got aContinue reading “Descent update and other life events”
Website updates, writing progress, and more
The website has received a complete overhaul along with an official domain name, smwrightauthor.com. Visitors will now be greeted by a static homepage featuring my most recent releases, updates on works in progress, and other news.
Once Upon A Time Writing Lesson: Right-Sizing Cast
Once Upon a Time is a case study for plotting out a series. It exhibits why it is important to have a game plan–no matter how rough–in place at the beginning of a creative endeavor. This helps writers avoid retreading past plot points or completely dropping the ball on others. Characters need to go hand in hand with this early plotting–their arcs, their backgrounds, etc.
Writing Recap: Revision Madness
After puttering out in the last couple of chapters, I overcame the rut and finally finished Descent, the follow-up to Heritage Lost. Well, finished the drafting part . . . I’m currently neck-deep in revisions. Revisions, however, have always come easiest for me. My drafts are always sparse, so revisions include more fleshing out, particularlyContinue reading “Writing Recap: Revision Madness”
What Writers Can Learn From The KonMari Method
When I’m sleep deprived, I spew out random things, and sometimes, just sometimes, they stick. In this case, a friend, while talking about reaching the end of her series, noted how sad she’d be to let go of those characters and their world. My response (knowing she’d also read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up) wasContinue reading “What Writers Can Learn From The KonMari Method”
Scene Building: Setting The Pieces Into Motion
We’ve discussed the pieces that are needed to build a good scene, but now we are going to dive into the actual process so we can see them in action. I will be using the very first scene in chapter one from a book I wrote in junior high — let it never be saidContinue reading “Scene Building: Setting The Pieces Into Motion”
Beta Reading Process Part 3: The Data
All right. You’ve wrapped up the beta reading process, and depending on the number of beta readers you had, you might have a lot of data to pore over. It can overwhelming, particularly if there is a lot of constructive comments. Heck, it might also have you seeing red because your manuscript is your special baby. That is why you, dear writer, need to take a deep breath and step back. Sure, browse the comments, read all of them from each beta reader, but don’t act on them, at least not yet.
Beta Reading Process Part 2: Writers vs. Readers
Diving further into the beta reading process, this time around we’re going to explore the readers themselves. Who makes the better beta reader, fellow writers or straight-up readers? Well, I’m afraid there will be no concrete answer to this question; however, I will share my own observations, because these two groups did bring different input toContinue reading “Beta Reading Process Part 2: Writers vs. Readers”
Blood & Ink 