The Motivational Editor

Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published

Debra

3 Rules on Using Commas

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The Comma, a few simple guidelines on using commas

There are those of you who prefer to let editors or proofreaders worry about commas, but if you’re hiring a freelance editor or proofreader, learning some punctuation basics will save you money because he/she will spend less time fixing your manuscript.

I’ll be the first to say the rules governing the English language are confusing. I’ve often wondered why there seems to be an exception to every rule—sometimes 2 or 3.

I reference my Chicago Manual of Style regularly. I also spend time in my Grammar Desk Reference, learning the whys and wherefores of grammar so I can correctly punctuate a sentence.

Today, I’d like to give some guidelines for commas I see most misused. [Read more…] about 3 Rules on Using Commas

Fiction with Purpose

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As I mentioned in Tuesday’s blog, many Christian authors write with the purpose of helping others. Sally Meadows is a good example.

Fiction with Purpose Sally Meadows interview

Sally is a two-time Canadian national award-nominated inspirational singer/songwriter, author, and speaker. After three professional degrees and a diverse career path that included being an editor, children’s entertainer, and educator, Sally took the plunge to focus full-time on her music and writing ministry in 2013.

Sally’s desire is to inspire others to explore the creative calls on their lives in the fullness God intended, no matter what their background, age, or personal challenges.

Let’s dive into today’s interview. [Read more…] about Fiction with Purpose

How Is a Query Letter Like a Sledge Hammer?

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When it comes to tools in the writer’s toolbox, the query letter is a must.

I can always tell newby writers (or those who refuse to learn the tools of the trade), by their query letters. These letters are either chock full of the wrong information, or have barely any information at all.

I’ve even received queries that have no signature line. Now I know why Anonymous is so often credited with a piece of writing.

a query letter is like a sledge hammer

Think of your query like a sledge hammer in a game of high striker at the carnival. A weak query letter is like trying to ring the bell with a kid’s plastic hammer. [Read more…] about How Is a Query Letter Like a Sledge Hammer?

Removing the Cliché from Your Characters

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Guest Posting today is Jennifer Slattery

Author Jennifer SlatteryEvery first draft I write seems to be crammed with cliché characters. The Sunday school teacher with silver hair pulled back in a bun. The buff and burly loan shark. The alcoholic husband who burps and slurps and does all sorts of other crude things unfit to share in a blog post.

With four novels in print and two manuscripts in waiting, I’ve learned how to create strong yet unique characters—in drafts two through eight. This includes allowing ugly into the first draft, swapping the expected for the unexpected, and delving deeper into the human psyche. [Read more…] about Removing the Cliché from Your Characters

Customizing the Scrivener Toolbar

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Making Scrivener work for you—rather than the other way around—can start with customizing your toolbars. Scrivener offers a lot of tools to make things easy. As you discover them, you’ll want the ones you use most, on your toolbar for easy access.

Customizing the Scrivener Toolbar

 

Last time we were talking about snapshots and I promised to tell you how to add that icon to your toolbar. So let’s get started.

[Read more…] about Customizing the Scrivener Toolbar

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