The Motivational Editor

Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published

Debra

Seek and Destroy Your Limiting Beliefs

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My head’s abuzz with thoughts coming fast and furious.

And all because of those little quizzes that pop up on Facebook. Then the next day I got an email from Bryan Hutchinson’s blog, Positive Writer, that prompted me to download and read his free ebooks Good Enough and The Writer’s Manifesto. Those things combined helped lead the way for me to put an end to a limiting belief I’ve carried for decades.

So what does this have to do with you or with writing? [Read more…] about Seek and Destroy Your Limiting Beliefs

Research and What Happens When You Get It Right

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Author Catherine Ulrich BrakefieldI’m pleased to have award-winning author Catherine Ulrich Brakefield here today. Her inspirational historical romance, Swept into Destiny, released this week. Swept is her fifth book and the first of the four-book Destiny series. Visit Catherine’s blog and learn more about her and view her books.

Catherine, what or who inspired you to write this book?

Swept into Destiny is a work of fiction; however, my grandmother and mother inspired the story.

My grandmother was of Irish English descent with a little Scottish peppered in for good measure and a hint of Cherokee Indian. Through my grandmother I learned [Read more…] about Research and What Happens When You Get It Right

Hone your craft by writing magazine articles. Here are 7 options.

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Magazines on a rackLet’s admit it, writing a book is hard work and takes time. It’s not something you can do in a day or two. But you can write the draft of a magazine article in a day, and then spend the next few days revising it.

And one of the best ways to hone your skill as a writer is to write for magazines. (Tweet this.)

You can also make greater use of your time by first querying magazines with your idea. Then when a magazine buys your idea, you write the article.

Finding magazines for your article ideas [Read more…] about Hone your craft by writing magazine articles. Here are 7 options.

Resources to help writers also be editors, designers, and marketers

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In today’s publishing world, writers perform a wide variety of jobs. A local writer friend of mine discovered that for herself recently and related her frustration to me.

It would be great if a writer could just write. Instead, we are called to be editors, graphic designers, marketing majors, and social networkers. ~ Stacey M.

Navigating the publishing world is essential to all writers. This is especially true for those who choose to take the indie publishing route, as many are doing.

But having sole responsibility for getting your book out into the world doesn’t mean [Read more…] about Resources to help writers also be editors, designers, and marketers

Indie Publishing: One Man’s Journey, an interview with Dave Driver

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Indie author Dave DriverToday, I’m visiting with author Dave Driver about his experiences with independent publishing.

Dave says, “I should probably start with a caveat. I am much more abstract in my approach to most things I do in life than concrete-sequential. So, what you read below might resonate with abstract thinkers and not so much with concrete-sequential thinkers. I do not believe either approach is superior to the other except as where it best serves each individual. I do believe all approaches can and should be handed off to the leading of the Holy Spirit.”

Learn more about Dave at his website.

What factors did you consider in your decision to publish independently? [Read more…] about Indie Publishing: One Man’s Journey, an interview with Dave Driver

When Your Motivation Goes Missing

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dog dressed in shirt and headphones no motivationAnother April-shower day glares at me through the office window. The same pile of papers on the floor stares up at me. The business paperwork on my desk demands attention.

It all conspires against me, and I want to flee to the comfort of the couch, a cup of coffee, and a mind-numbing DVD.

Because I’m self-employed, I can give in to this lack of motivation for a day. I justify it by telling myself I deserve a day off. But then a day becomes two and then three, and before I know it, those days have become a week and sometimes more.

Most of the time, the routine of my life causes this problem. Work, eat, sleep. Work, eat, sleep.

Do you ever have days like that? Weeks maybe? [Read more…] about When Your Motivation Goes Missing

Writing the Heart of Your Story: a book review

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book cover Writing the Heart of Your Story by CS LakinI rarely do a straight-out book review. In fact, I think this might the first one. I often recommend a book, especially those that have had a tremendous impact on my writing career in some way whether in skills learned or motivationally.

But today, I feel compelled to talk about Writing the Heart of Your Story by C.S. Lakin.

As I read, I’m highlighting paragraph after paragraph. I plan to reference this book again and again as I write my own novels.

Just as important, what I’m reading is impacting me as [Read more…] about Writing the Heart of Your Story: a book review

How to Use Track Changes in MS Word

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As a writer, I use Scrivener to create my documents—even my blog posts. As an editor, my primary tool is MS Word and Track Changes. While I’ve never asked other editors what they use, I’d venture they use track changes, too.

That makes it critical for writers to understand what track changes are and how to use them.

So today, I’m offering a video from Lynda.com as a quick tutorial.