Write well. Write often. Edit wisely.
It’s not a waste of time to finish a first novel, to practice your writing skills with that first novel manuscript, even if it will never be published. But know that the first novel will not be a masterpiece.
Encouragement for when you feel you’ll never be as good as other writers.
Continue reading (Stop) Comparing Yourself to Successful Authors »
How many words is too many? Does word count matter? Does word count matter more for first novels? An answer to a question posed by a reader.
Continue reading Should I Worry About Word Count—A Reader’s Question »
A query letter is short and powerful—it’s often a writer’s first contact with an agent or editor. Here are the basics for query letters and a few do’s and don’ts.
Many writers have great expectations for their first novel manuscript. But are those expectations realistic? A look at what you can expect of your first novel.
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.
A novel’s first draft is never the final product. Learn both what’s missing from a first draft and what should be taken out to make it a better manuscript.
Continue reading The First Draft—What it is and What it isn’t »
NaNoWriMo, the National Novel Writing Month, happens every November. Join hundreds of others in writing a novel—50,000 words—in a month.
A novel isn’t finished after the first draft. Writers have much work ahead of them—some of the most tedious work—even after they’ve written “The End.”
Continue reading Why Writing “The End” Doesn’t Mean You’ve Finished »
Anyone can write a novel. Or can they? Plenty of people think they can, that it’s easy to craft a story and write a book. But writing a book isn’t as easy as it seems.
The reader will focus on what stands out. Turn the reader's attention where you want it to go.
Thank you for reading The Editor's Blog, an Internet resource for fiction writers,
freelance editors, and everyone who loves words
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Copyright © 2010-2018 E. A. Hill Visit Beth at A Novel Edit
Write well. Write often. Edit wisely.
