Writing a book is hard. Thinking of a title and a book cover is sometimes harder. Especially because those are the first two things that readers are influenced by. For some of my books, like The Cavanaugh House and The Last Crossing, Boris (my muse) whispered the inspiration for the title and cover in my ear. I knew what they would be from the get-go. But Boris must have been on vacation in the Bahamas when it came to Buried Secrets and Exposed The initial title for Buried Secrets was The Mystery at St. Bartholomew’s. It sounded like a Nancy Drew Read More
Category: Revision
My Secret Strategies for Handling Edits
Okay, this post is going to be really short because I’m on deadline and my revisions are due back to my editor Julie Sturgeon by Saturday. Many readers ask me how I handle editing and revising my manuscripts. I have decided to reveal a few of my deepest secrets. Some of my editing strategies for The Last Crossing: 1. Set the timer on my iPhone for 30 minutes so I get up and move around. It’s good for my health and clears my mind. Plus, potty break. (amended: Pay attention when the timer goes off.) 2. Set my iPhone Read More
5 Sentences That Need Your Help
I bared my soul two weeks ago when I divulged my overuse of the word “eyes” in my manuscript for Love’s Courage. Well, after receiving excellent responses from my beta readers, I have even more dirty (writing) secrets to air. I flirt with purple prose by using an emotion (or sometimes an odor) as the subject of a sentence. At least, flirting with purple prose is the best way I can describe it. My friend, H.J. calls me on it every time. For your entertainment, I’ve listed five sentences that I believe are my worst offenders. Help me out Read More
The Eyes Have It: Ironing Out My Revisions
You’ve heard of the term “leg man,” and many women seem to notice men’s butts. Yes, I’m being very sexist here, however, I believe I now have your interest, and my previous first paragraph (see below) was much less stimulating. Thesis: All authors have certain body parts that capture their attention. When I finished my first draft of Love’s Courage, the ecstasy of writing “The End” was quickly replaced with the agony of revision. Some people love revision, in fact, an author friend just posted that she preferred revision to drafting a new story. For me, revision is a bit Read More
How Grocery Shopping Reveals Your Writing Style
I read an article years ago (pre-Google) about how your personality is evident depending on which stage of grocery shopping you prefer. I think it can also explain writing style. I’ll explain—to the best of my recollection. Making the list – The Visionary Is your favorite part of grocery shopping sitting down and making the list? Do you enjoy poking around in the pantry to see if you need to replace that jar of cinnamon? Do you check the refrigerator to see if you’re out of ketchup? (BTW throw out that old jar of salsa.) Then perhaps your favorite Read More