Q: I’m working on a nonfiction manuscript. Do you have any recommended resources for nonfiction authors? A: My primary area of expertise is fiction, so I turned to one of my editor friends, Heidi Fiedler, to help answer this question. Heidi is a writer and editor who has worked on more than 300 books, many of […]
Ask Your Editor Friend: Nonfiction Resources Read Post »
Today’s letter answers an author-submitted question about social media. And elsewhere on the internet, the excellent Sara Zarr invited me to contribute to one of her equally excellent This Creative Life newsletters. Check out How to Read an Editorial Letter for Sara’s approach to editorial letters as an author, as well as my thoughts from
Ask Your Editor Friend: Social Media Read Post »
Since the first two posts on January 5th, 2022, this marks 52 straight weeks (and over 40,000 words!) of Your Editor Friend letters. I’ve touched on a broad range of writing and publishing topics over the past year, from evaluating feedback to approaching goals with curiosity to the submissions process to the different types of editing. No matter how long you’ve been reading, I hope that
A Year with Your Editor Friend Read Post »
This week, Jane Friedman shared this Q&A about developmental editing on her website. The interview was written by Sangeeta Mehta and shares advice from Sangeeta, me, and Susan Chang. If you or someone you know is thinking of hiring a developmental editor, I hope you’ll find it helpful! In that interview, we touched briefly on how authors can strengthen their
How to Strengthen Your Writing at the Sentence and Paragraph Level Read Post »
Since I was a kid, I’ve hated the idea of being forced to choose favorites. I’ve almost always stubbornly insisted on multiple favorite colors, foods, movies, music, and especially books. It’s not (merely) that I’m indecisive; it’s that I find it impossible to choose a blanket favorite without considering the context. Am I choosing a
My Top Four Books About Writing Read Post »
Today’s letter answers an author-submitted question: Q: I recently received feedback from an agent telling me from reading the first 10 pages of my middle grade MS., she was unable to figure out what the plot was and suggested I bring that in and make it clear right away. My question is, how do you do
Ask Your Editor Friend: Making the Plot Clear in the Opening Pages Read Post »
Today I’m sharing a simple novel revision tool that an author recently recommended to me: grading your chapters. This approach can be especially helpful if you feel overwhelmed by a revision; if you’re not sure where to start revising; or if you’re looking to ease yourself back into your story and characters before diving in.
Novel Revision Tool: Grade Your Chapters Read Post »
“Show, Don’t Tell” is one of the most common pieces of writing advice, and for good reason. Writers have a tendency to lean on descriptive statements, or “telling,” particularly in early drafts. When you’re starting a manuscript, it can be easier and faster to describe the broad strokes of a scene, such as, “She felt
Show, Don’t Tell: Why It’s a Writing Rule & How to Break It Read Post »
Today’s letter answers a question I received from an author: Q: What are your thoughts about working on multiple projects simultaneously, either as an editor or as a writer? I always feel drawn to write two things at the same time, and then feel like I shouldn’t, and then wonder how I would make it work
Ask Your Editor Friend: Working on Multiple Projects Simultaneously Read Post »
If you’re on social media, you may already be familiar with Dr. Becky Kennedy, a clinical psychologist known for her engaging posts about common parenting struggles. After the publication of Dr. Becky’s book, Good Inside, I read an interview she did with reporter Elizabeth Holmes, and was struck by one piece of advice in particular. While talking about
Upgrade Your Creative Goals Read Post »
