The Motivational Editor

Helping Writers Go from Unpublished to Published

Writing Skills

How to Use the Ellipsis and the Em Dash

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Punctuation is an aspect of English with which many writers struggle. But we must face the reality: incorrect punctuation raises a red flag for editors and makes them more inclined to toss your submission into the trash.

I’m not talking about a missing comma here and there, but flagrant incorrect punctuation. As much as some might hate it, correct punctuation is critically important to your submission. 

So today, let’s take a look at the ellipsis and the em dash—two punctuation marks that get misused and often over used.

[Read more…] about How to Use the Ellipsis and the Em Dash

Don’t Confuse Your Reader with Your Pronouns

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Have you ever been reading something and suddenly found yourself lost in pronouns, asking to which “he” is the writer referring?

Pronouns used incorrectly become pesky pronouns to editors. (At least to this editor they do.) The editor is forced to read several more sentences (or paragraphs) to figure out the “he” or “she” to whom the writer refers.

Avoid Pronoun Confusion

A quick grammar lesson will help. I know you cringe at the word grammar but stick with me. You want your manuscript to hit a home run, right? (Maybe you’re thinking you’d just like it to get past first base. But avoid first-base thinking; it’s a surefire way to write a mediocre story.)

[Read more…] about Don’t Confuse Your Reader with Your Pronouns

Know the End from the Beginning

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Back in December I took Michael Hyatt’s new Best Year Ever course. I then set 10 goals and was very excited about 2014 and the plans I’d made for the year. Almost immediately after—within a week—my mood plummeted. I spent a week or two wallowing, then began to examine why I felt depressed.

Dr. Stephen Covey in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People stated that Habit 2 was “to begin with the end in mind. …To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination.”

Mark 11:24 from the Bible encourages us to do something very similar. “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

Yet another biblical example is the story of Peter walking on the water (see Matthew 14:22-33). While he kept his focus on Jesus, Peter walked on the water. But the second he looked at the storm raging around him, he began to sink.

What does this have to do with my foul mood?

What I focus on, or think about, affects my mood—positively or negatively.

This is the time of year when people set resolutions and work toward making some positive change(s) in their lives. There are many reasons why most don’t succeed, but focus is one of them. They’re thinking about the hard work and change (and pain) it’s going to take to reach their goal, instead of the end result.

What does envisioning the end from the beginning look like?

Let’s make this personal. You read my blog because you want to be a writer. Like me, you probably want to be a famous author, right? Then believe you already are. Envision the end—I am a famous writer—from the beginning.

What does being a famous author look like? Does it mean having a best selling book (or three or four)? Does it mean traveling the States doing book signings and appearing on national TV and radio? Does it mean $$$ in the bank and no financial worries? For every writer, being famous means something different. Determine what it is for you.

Now envision what being a famous author feels like. Emotionally connect with your goal so you are positively motivated to achieve it. I learned that from Tony Robbins, but both Dr. Covey and Michael Hyatt state the same.

There’s a law of nature at work here, though like gravity, I don’t understand how it works. I only know it does. What we focus on has a direct bearing on the outcomes of our lives. Having the end in mind from the beginning helps us achieve our desired outcomes.

I’d like to blame my foul mood on the dark days of winter. That may partly be the cause, but in the midst of it I learned that when I’m feeling bummed, I need to stop and think about where my focus is. Am I thinking about the end goal or all the reasons why I may never achieve that goal?

How about you? Where’s your focus? Leave your comments below.

Debra L. Butterfield © 2014

Recommended reading: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Telling vs. Showing, what it is and how to fix it.

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Writers often hear “show us, don’t tell us” in one variation or another. But what does it really mean to show rather than tell?

Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary gives the definition of tell as “to relate in detail: narrate, recount,” and show as “to cause or permit to be seen.” As writers, we do both these things.

But as storytellers we must [Read more…] about Telling vs. Showing, what it is and how to fix it.

An Interview with Author Linnette R. Mullin

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Today is launch day for Finding Beth, so I’m doubly excited about my Friday Feature interview with debut author Linnette R. Mullin because we get to share in her excitement.

Linnette has graciously offered my readers an opportunity to win a free copy of Finding Beth. Keep reading for contest details.

Author Linnette R. Mullin
Author Linnette R. Mullin

I bet you can hardly contain your excitement about today, Linnette. What does the day have in store for you?

Yes, I’m excited and nervous and anxious all rolled into one!

First on the agenda is our visit here, of course. I can’t wait to hear from and talk with readers. I’ll also be running last minute errands, gathering my books, book marks, pens, and whatever other things I need to take to my book launch event.

My whole family will be loading up and heading to Atlanta Bread Company in West Columbia, SC. (What to wear???) We’ll arrive at 5:00 to set up. The party will last from 5:30-8:30. We’ll gather near the fireplace around the Christmas tree.

My son and a friend of his will be supplying us with acoustic music and singing. We’re really excited about that! A press release went out on Sunday, so I’m praying the Lord will use that to bring in readers. One can always hope!

I can’t believe it’s time for celebrating the release of Finding Beth. It’s heady stuff. I feel like I’m moon walking; my feet are hardly touching the ground.

How long did it take to write your book? [Read more…] about An Interview with Author Linnette R. Mullin

Put an End to “I’ll Never Write Like That”

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hand holding pen
Write, write, write, and you’ll find your unique voice.

I’ve been reading a wonderful book written by Lynn Austin titled Hidden Places.

More than once as I’ve read the gentle, lilting prose of this story I’ve said to myself “I wish I could write like this.”

I bet you’ve found yourself saying the same thing as you’ve read books that gripped you with the power of those well written words.

But this morning the very moment after I thought those words, God answered back. [Read more…] about Put an End to “I’ll Never Write Like That”

How to Analyze a Magazine

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analyze a magazineSave yourself time and heartache over rejection. Analyze a magazine first, then submit to those that will be interested in your idea.

Here’s what to look for.

Front Page: design and headlines will help you determine the target audience.

The ads: Who are their advertisers? Read enough of the ads to get a feel for the target audience.

General topics: are the articles about [Read more…] about How to Analyze a Magazine

11 Kinds of Articles You Can Write

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Listed below are 11 types of magazine articles you can consider writing. Each one has it own requirements and purposes.

The Devotional Article helps readers understand a biblical principle by applying a passage of Scripture to a life example. Devotionals are often short pieces of 300 words or less, but there are markets that accept longer readings.

The How-To Article is self-explanatory. This is a wide market as there are [Read more…] about 11 Kinds of Articles You Can Write