The Motivational Editor

Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published

Debra

Has fear sabotaged your voice?

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I’ve been reading an excellent blog series by Erin Buterbaugh found in the archives of Chip MacGregor’s blog. It’s about voice—something that seems to elude writers, beginning writers especially.

To quote Erin, voice is

“the personality of the author as revealed through the writing.”

When I first started writing with the intention of earning money for it, I read Finding Your Voice by Les Edgerton (btw Ane Mulligan recommends this book on a guest post she did for MacGregor’s blog). [Read more…] about Has fear sabotaged your voice?

The Value of Critique Groups

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Author interviews have become one of my favorite posts. While there are similarities to the publication journey, there are always unique perspectives and experiences that come from each author.

The Value of Critique Groups author interviewI hope you glean information and strategies that will aid you in your journey.

Today’s interview is with Vickie Phelps. Her book, Postmark from the Past, released in Nov. 2015 by CrossRiver Media Group. Vickie writes fiction and nonfiction to encourage, inspire, and influence. She has published 200 articles in both regional and national magazines. Vickie is the author of five gift books with [Read more…] about The Value of Critique Groups

How to Use Snapshot in Scrivener

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Using Scrivener Snapshots

In my pre-Scrivener days of writing, I used MS Word. It got the job done, but when it was time to revise I got paranoid.

  • What if I didn’t like all the changes I had just made?
  • What if I liked most of them, but not all?
  • What if deleted an entire scene, then two days later realize I needed that scene after all?

So I learned work arounds… [Read more…] about How to Use Snapshot in Scrivener

Should Leap Day Be a Holiday?

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Down what road could leap day lead you?
Down what road could leap day lead you?

It’s Leap Day! That weird day that happens once every 4 years. That alone qualifies it as a holiday in my book. What about you?

Because it’s leap day and the 5th Monday of the month, I thought I’d have a little fun.

What’s the deal with February anyway? I mean, all the other months have 30 or 31 days. Why did the calendar makers only give 28 to February? Why not steal a day [Read more…] about Should Leap Day Be a Holiday?

How You Can Save Money in the Editing Process

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save money using style sheetWe all know hiring a professional editor can be an expensive proposition. So finding ways to help your editor save time in editing your book is a good thing.

I can’t take credit for today’s idea. I learned this tool from author and publisher Mark Gilroy at a Heart of America Writers Conference I attended several years ago.

It’s a tool every writer should consider using because it’s tremendously useful for your editor and can save the editor a lot of time and work.

What is that tool? [Read more…] about How You Can Save Money in the Editing Process

Should I Indie Publish?

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In a day when publishing is at our fingertips, the question whether to publish independently or traditionally is one many writers consider. Both routes have their benefits and drawbacks.

Indie publishingMaybe you are struggling with this very question right now. I hope today’s interview with author Janice Dick gives you some insight into making your decision.

Janice, what was the impetus behind your decision to go indie? [Read more…] about Should I Indie Publish?

The Making of a Writers Conference

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With conference season upon us, I thought it would be interesting to learn what goes into creating those conferences, so you can better evaluate the conference(s) you choose to attend (and pray for their organizers).

Hiebert interview

I asked Julane Hiebert, chairwoman of the Called to Write Writers Conference held in Pittsburg, Kansas, to share her experience and advice.

I first met Julane at last year’s Called to Write conference and wish I had had more time to get acquainted with her. Conferences are wonderful places to make new friends who are walking the same journey and understand the joys—and frustrations—of writing!

When and how did the Called to Write conference get started? [Read more…] about The Making of a Writers Conference

What Marketing Book Would You Recommend?

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As the first Monday of the month, my focus is marketing.

I struggle with marketing like many authors do. I’ve purchased 1 or 2 marketing books, but they were only a little helpful.

So today, I’d like to hear from you.

What book(s) on marketing have you found most helpful and why? Please leave your response in the comments below so all my readers can read your choices and maybe find a book that can help them.

Thank you, and happy marketing!