The Motivational Editor

Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published

Debra

3 Common but Easily Avoided Mistakes in Fiction

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3 Common Mistakes to Avoid in FictionLately, I’ve noticed several of the same kinds of mistakes occurring in the manuscripts I’m reviewing, so I thought I’d address them here today. Let’s start with the easiest one to fix.

Dialog tags before the dialog

You can find this mistake with ease, and fix it just as quickly. It happens most often when writers give their characters an action prior to the dialog.

Gary turned to me and said, “I don’t make that mistake.”

Readers know quotation marks indicate speech. The words and said are superfluous.

Laughing, Gary said, “I don’t make that mistake.”

In the example above, [Read more…] about 3 Common but Easily Avoided Mistakes in Fiction

Mind Mapping and Ice Cream

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melting ice cream coneIt’s National Ice Cream Month. Now there’s an idea I can sink my teeth into…brain freeze!

I like ice cream. My favorite flavor is Bordeaux cherry chocolate. Mmmm, heaven on earth.

But what does that have to do with writing?

I thought I’d give you some story ideas to play around with while you enjoy your ice cream and watch the fireworks (Happy 240th Birthday, USA!).

Focusing on the idea of ice cream, here are some scenarios to have fun with.

If you write romance… [Read more…] about Mind Mapping and Ice Cream

The Problem with Flashbacks

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shattered glass from a car wreckFlashbacks.

You know what I’m talking about. When a writer rips us from the present moment of the story and catapults us into the past.

And that’s the problem. It stops the forward momentum of your story. Like a driver slamming on the brakes and you go flying through the windshield.

First, realize a flashback is not equal to backstory. In The Portable MFA in Creative Writing, Tim Tomlinson tells us backstory is: [Read more…] about The Problem with Flashbacks

How to Find a Publisher

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For people dipping their toes into the vast sea of publishing for the first time, knowing how to find a publisher can be an overwhelming task.

I’m talking to those who have ventured into these waters from another field. Doctor, teacher, business exec, stay-at-home mom. And now God has given you a story or message to share.

Where do you start?

Our Enemy Is a Spiritual One

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TerrorismI’m veering off my usual blogging schedule because this is one of those times I feel compelled to speak out.

As we face the tragedy that took place in Orlando this week, many of us shake our heads at the senselessness of it. We can only imagine the heartache these families are experiencing, and we lift them to the Lord in prayer.

I remind myself that what occurs in the physical realm has a parallel in the spiritual. Omar Mateen isn’t the enemy. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12 NLT).

Those who don’t know Jesus [Read more…] about Our Enemy Is a Spiritual One

Marketing Different Books Simultaneously

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Marketing Different Books Simultaneously Kathy Nickerson Interview

Author Kathy Nickerson released a book in March and will release another one in July. Today she’s here to share how she’s managing the marketing of these books.

Kathy, thanks so much for joining us here today. I always enjoy your books and your blog. You have a sense of humor I like, and that comes through clearly in your voice.

In March you launched The Secret of Serendipity, a middle-grade novel, and next month you release Rose Hill Cottage, a women’s contemporary fiction. How have you handled the marketing for two books in such a short period of time? [Read more…] about Marketing Different Books Simultaneously

3 Things You Need to Know About Flash Fiction

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Today’s post is by Ben Wolf, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Splickety Publishing Group. I had the privilege of meeting Ben last month at PenCon (a conference for editors). He gave an inspiring keynote speech on day 2 of the conference.

I enjoyed his keynote so much, I decided to ask if he’d be willing to guest post on my blog—and yes, I had to encourage myself to be brave enough to ask. He graciously said yes.

Ben Wolf, Splickety Publishing Group3 Things You Need to Know About Flash Fiction
by Ben Wolf
Founder and Editor-In-Chief of Splickety Publishing Group

Instant gratification reigns supreme in today’s fast-paced society. I could go into a spiel here about Twitter, DVR, multi-tasking, and Big Macs, but we all live it (and, in most cases, love it) every day. [Read more…] about 3 Things You Need to Know About Flash Fiction

Editors, Rejection, and Attitude

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Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. Winston ChurchillRejection in publishing is inevitable.

In fact, if a writer told me he/she had never received a rejection letter, then I’d say he/she had never submitted any work.

Yes, rejection is hard. Yes, it hurts. As writers, we must develop a tough skin so rejections don’t readily wound us. Further, we can’t let that rejection stop us from submitting our work somewhere else.

In addition to a tough skin, our attitude affects whether we handle rejection in a way that promotes our growth as a writer. We need a persevering attitude so we can overcome and reach our goals.

We all know our attitude [Read more…] about Editors, Rejection, and Attitude