Tips, How-Tos, and Guides

Spew and Write First, Edit Second

Yes, you have to edit. While you write, though? How about not? https://youtu.be/TPQwVgGIgng I'm not talking here about minor edits where you are catching errors and assisting with the overall construction of your document as...

Hello, Unknown Beta Readers, Goodbye Friends

Over the past year, I've completed multiple manuscripts. I labored through all the required tasks, including the completion of multiple rounds of edits, creating proposal packages, and creating cover mockups. Eventually, I reached the point...

8 Tips to Pick Books That Help You Grow

Reading is one of the best things you can do for personal development and growth. Even so, not everything available is worth your time, especially since individuals have more self-publishing tools than ever that more...

5 Best Christmas Gifts for Writers

Just because writers typically don't make lots of money doesn't mean they don't enjoy nice things. But if you're not a writer who understands what wordsmiths find lovely, or if the writer in your life...

The Problem of Memory in Memoir Writing

Over the past few months, I've been writing a religious nonfiction book centered around recovering from trauma. A huge part of the beginning of the book is telling my story so readers can understand where...

Editorial Requests: When to Say Yes and When to Push Back

Every writer knows the drill: You write your draft, polish it the best you can, and send it off to your editor. If all goes well, you might not have to do any extra work...

How to Punch Your Inner Critic in the Face When You Write

“You call yourself a writer? You just spent 20 minutes writing a trash heap!” “Like anybody’s going to read this.” “You need to stop imagining you’re J.K. Rowling and admit that your writing career doesn’t...
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Rewriting: When Should You Stop?

Over the past few months, I've worked with a number of clients who, for one reason or another, needed the work I did for them rewritten. This often had nothing to do with the quality...

Time to Print: Traditional vs. Self-Publishing

Over the past few months, I've been scrambling to query two books (one fiction, one non-fiction). The plan for both is to give traditional querying a shot first. I'll self-publish if I can't get any...

The Mental Load of Writing

As I updated a yet-to-be-sent bill on Paypal for a writing client this afternoon, a thought flashed across my mind. "How much more would this paycheck have in it if I charged for my mental...