Writing and editing

  • Rhythm in writing

    The main thing I love about learning to tap dance is the teacher explaining how you…

  • Manuscript drafts

    If you are an independent author, unless you’re working to set deadline, you get to decide…

  • Manuscript overwhelm

    Does this sound familiar?  You open a manuscript. Feel overwhelmed. Close the manuscript. That feeling of…

  • Plot reveals

    One of my favourite plot reveals happens in The Railway Children. Don’t worry, I won’t spoil…

  • Proofreading or self-editing checklists

    It can be helpful to use a checklist when proofreading or self-editing a manuscript. First, ask…

  • Apostrophes and time

    Recently I was reading my local community magazine, and noticed that some advertisements, stating the years…

  • Head-hopping

    Head-hopping is when narrative perspectives change from one character to another without warning when writing in…

  • Commenting on manuscripts

    When proofreading, I keep comments to a minimum, only commenting on punctuation that affects the whole…

  • Dialogue tags and action beats

    I was asked a question about dialogue tags recently, so I’ve written a post about dialogue…

  • Authors and readers

    As an editor or proofreader, you provide a stepping stone between the author and the reader.…

  • Wired for Story review

    I recently finished reading Wired for Story by Lisa Cron. Every chapter has useful, actionable advice…

  • Sometimes you need something obvious to be said in a different way

    Sometimes you need something obvious to be said in a different way. I recently finished reading…

  • Overthinking

    Does anyone else struggle with overthinking? I think wanting everything to be just so as a…