Setting Up a Series—A Reader’s Question

Ever thought about writing a book series? A reader asks for tips about writing a series.

Continue reading Setting Up a Series—A Reader’s Question »

A reader wondered what she should study to help her become an editor. Study whatever interests you and a whole lot more.

Continue reading Jack of all Trades? That’d Be an Editor—A Reader’s Question . . . »

Many modern writers are discouraged from using adverbs. But adverbs have their uses. And no part of speech should be banned from the writer’s toolkit.

Continue reading What About Adverbs—A Reader’s Question »

Author intrusion is disruptive and annoying. Look at ways to identify and cut out the writer’s obvious intrusions into a story.

Continue reading Weed Out Author Intrusion »

I don’t take on every manuscript that’s sent to me for editing. The simple reason is that many are not ready for a professional edit. A look at my reasons for turning down an edit.

Continue reading Why I Would Decline an Edit »

We’ve all seen bad, laugh-worthy dialogue. Examples of bad dialogue and ways to avoid writing it.

Continue reading Bad Dialogue—Bad, Bad Dialogue »

A number of visitors to The Editor’s Blog have asked if editors need to know how to write, if they must be good writers to be good editors. I say yes.

Continue reading Must Editors Be Good Writers—A Reader’s Question »

Should you outline your story before you begin writing or just jump in and write away? Plotters and pantsers each have their champions and their critics. But you should do what works for you.

Continue reading The Outline Dilemma—Plotting vs. Pantsing »

Single quotation marks don’t have many uses in American English. Learn when to use them and how to use double quotation marks and italics for emphasis.

Continue reading Single Quotation Marks—A Reader’s Question »

Can you combine dialogue for multiple readers in one paragraph? Learn what readers expect about dialogue and why it’s important to follow the rules.

Continue reading More Punctuation in Dialogue—A Reader’s Questions »