editing

Five Ways to Strengthen Your Novel—and Your Life! By Linda Nathan

April 15, 2019 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

Whether we read a novel just to kick back and relax or to jump into an exciting adventure, we enter one or possibly more new worlds.

Fiction’s power comes from its ability to draw a reader into a world view—a set of beliefs, ideas, and attitudes about the world, ourselves, and others. It can impart both truth and deception, so as Christians, it’s vital to discern what we’re reading and, as writers, what we’re writing. Understanding and utilizing world views can help us to do both.

World views appear in themes of truth and deception, love and hate, good and evil, unity and brokenness, and more. The realities of those world views play out through plots, characters, action, dialogue, atmosphere, and other fictional elements.

A biblical world view discerns good from evil, truth from falsehood. The Apostle Paul tells us to take every thought captive to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5), and Romans 12:2 exhorts us to mature in discernment through God’s Word. Comparing world views that we encounter with the Bible, helps us to do this.

What worlds entice you when you read? And what worlds do you create for your readers?

Following are four influential world view areas operating in our culture today. Can you spot their spiritual realities in fictional landscapes? Do they shape any world views you encounter or want to write about? Studying world views will help you understand how they conflict, combine and communicate their message to others.

Biblical. The Word of God is the foundation of a Christian world view (Heb. 4:12).

New Age/mystical. Sees the world as magical with no Creator God. Emphasizes imagination, feeling, and intuition. Looks “within” for truth though mysticism, “spirit guides,” psychedelic drugs, etc.

Psychological. Seeks transformation via therapy, self-analysis, pop psychology, and self-help and behavioral change methods. Intersects with New Age/mystical.

Secular/materialist/atheistic. Relies upon worldly techniques and materialistic philosophies.

Want to create a riveting story? Utilize world views to increase conflict, reveal character, and create atmosphere. Here’s an example. Can you spot the world views operating in this vignette?

Judy McGrath stirred her coffee and stared out the window at the veil of fog shrouding the garden. She shivered. It reminded her of the veil she felt over her marriage—a cold, distant, and alien fog. Once again, John was off managing the high-tech company he loved—and once again she was alone.

Alone.
And childless.

“Children are counterproductive to a green Earth,” he’d insisted. “Our planet’s already overpopulated.”

“But John, don’t you want family?” she’d protested.

“Nonsense. We have to separate human sexuality from human reproduction or earth will be doomed.” He’d hurried away, scowling.

Judy wiped a tear and stirred her coffee, then wiped away another tear. Finally, she gave up and reached for the box of tissues.

The ability to identify world views can sharpen our awareness of the world around us, enrich our stories, and protect us and our readers from deception. To identify world views as you read and write fiction, ask yourself:

What philosophies, attitudes, and beliefs underlie and shape the plot, imagery, characterization, and dialogue?

How do these world views interact, conflict, combine, and communicate with each other?

How do they line up with the Bible?

In summary, learning about world views can help us to:

Discern what we’re reading and, as writers, what we’re writing;
Mature in discernment as we are transformed by God’s Word;
Understand how they conflict, combine, and communicate among themselves;
Create a riveting story through conflict, character change, and atmosphere; and
Sharpen our awareness of the world around us, enrich our reading and writing, and protect us and our readers from deception.

* * *

We’ve taken on the challenge of writing about radically conflicting world views in our new thriller, The Glittering Web, coming this April 22 through Redemption Press.

Based on the true story of our rescue by Jesus Christ, our fast-paced novel plunges the reader into deep struggles involved with escaping Satan’s kingdom and clearly distinguishes the conflict between the kingdoms of light and of darkness.

Linda Nathan has 27 years of experience as a professional freelance writer, editor, and consultant for authors and institutions through her business, Logos Word Designs, LLC. She is a staff freelance editor with Redemption Press and a gold member of the Christian Editor Connection. Linda has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Oregon and master’s level work, as well as 10 years of experience in the legal field. She has helped numerous authors attain publication and in several instances achieve industry awards.

The book:
http://www.theglitteringweb.com
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authors@theglitteringweb.com

Logos Word Designs, LLC
http://www.logosword.com
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editor@logosword.com

4 Tips to Creating a Cleaner Manuscript By Sue A. Fairchild

March 11, 2019 by Karin Beery 2 Comments

Last year, I began doing proofreading work for a publisher. Proofreading examines a previously edited manuscript to find and correct typographical errors and mistakes in grammar, style, and spelling.

At the proofreading stage, the manuscript has already been thoroughly edited by other industry professionals. This means I rarely find too many mistakes—only minor errors here and there. This is great for me because it’s almost as if I’m simply reading a book for enjoyment!

Although I had previously been more of a content editor, I love the proofreading work. In addition, it has assisted me in other areas of my editing business because it helps me understand how added spaces or incorrect formatting can affect a final manuscript. Since I’ve started proofreading, I’ve noticed I look for these types of errors while I’m completing other edits as well. I pass these corrections on to my clients so they can ensure their manuscript is ready for publication.

Here are a few items to look for and correct within your manuscript.

Additional spaces after a period. This one is standard and should be done by every editor, in my opinion. Most writers type more than one space after a period at least once in their manuscripts. Additional spaces can be easily found and corrected using the Find/Replace tool in Word.

Spaces before a paragraph return. I have discovered that almost every author (or at least the ones I’ve worked with) will sometimes press their space bar before the enter key when they want to start a new paragraph. This can cause some issues with formatting so I will utilize the Find/Replace tool again in Word to find this issue throughout the document and correct it. Simply click the “special” pull down menu within the Find/Replace menu and choose “paragraph mark.” In the Find section, you’ll see a caret before the letter P. Put a space before that and Word will find all the spaces before any paragraph marks in your document.

Chapter headings. Most of the publishers I work for do not want the manuscript’s chapter headings to have any indent. I choose each chapter heading and ensure I set it to left justified without any indents.

The red underline. In Microsoft Word, misspelled words are underlined in red with a squiggly line. It’s easy to skim through your document and catch those words thanks to that red line. Remember, it might just be a word that the program is unfamiliar with or one you’ve made up (especially if you’re a fantasy writer), so make sure you know which word you truly want. Utilize Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary to check any words of which you’re unsure.

Editing encompasses so much more than these four things, of course, but every author can take these small steps toward creating the cleanest manuscript they can before sending it off to an editor. But even if you do, I’ll still check!

Sue started out as a devotion writer, but now also claims the titles of editor, proofreader, webmistress, and blogger. She has written and self-published three books as well as helped a variety of authors get their manuscripts into readers’ hands. Sue loves working with clients who are working toward the greater good of sharing God’s message in this world. Email sueafairchild74@gmail.com to discuss a free sample edit. Check out her website for testimonials: suessimplesnippets.wordpress.com

Bad Writing is NOT Your Author’s Voice

March 4, 2019 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

Aerial view a woman using a retro typewriter

Purple prose. Telling. Large sections of backstory.

More and more often I find these literary no-no’s popping up in published works. In fact, it happens so frequently that I’ve started to question myself—are these now in vogue? Are we reverting back to these writing styles? Is this what I should be teaching my clients and students? As an editor and teacher, I need to make sure I’m giving correct information!

After some inquiries and research, I’ve discovered this disturbing trend: these are still considered writing issues to be corrected, but editors and authors are now embracing bad writing as “author’s voice.” Why? Because well-established writers do it. Because every now and then someone who writes that way gets nominated for an award. Because (in my opinion) it’s easier. Because it’s the “authors voice.”

I’ll see your argument and raise you one truth: it’s not voice, it’s bad writing.

When it comes to authors who self-publish, I realize there’s nothing freelance editors can do to convince an author to take our suggestions; however, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be making those suggestions. It seems that there are editors out there who no longer suggest correcting these types of issues. Instead, they shrug it off as author voice, then carry on.

Imagine if we embraced this standard in other areas of our lives.

Would you hire a house painter who leaves streaks and paints things he shouldn’t just because someone else did it once and no one complained? Would you hire an accountant who doesn’t double check his work because he hasn’t had a problem yet so he probably won’t have one with your taxes? How about a mechanic who doesn’t tighten every bolt because there’s never been an issue in the past? Or would you rather work with the person who paints completely and cleanly, who checks his math, and makes sure every belt, bolt, and screw is secure?

As editors, our standards shouldn’t be whether or not someone else got away with something but whether or not something’s right. Can we force our authors to accept and incorporate these changes? Of course not. Should we point out the issues anyway? Absolutely! Is there going to be push back from the authors? Count on it.

I get it. No one wants to be told that their work is bad, and it’s not always easy to share that truth with others (especially when it’s really bad), but that’s what editors are paid to do. It certainly is easier when you’re a copyeditor or proofreader and you can point to style guides to show why something is grammatically incorrect (thank you Chicago Manual of Style). In my opinion, it’s significantly more difficult to tell someone their word selection and phrasing is confusing and lackluster, but that’s why authors hire us. Sure, there are some people out there who just want to get a book published, but other writers want to produce good books, and their editors are failing them.

This is my plea to editors everywhere:

Speaking as an editor, please stop sugar coating bad writing. Call it what it is. If the author wants to keep it, fine, but make an effort to stop the madness.

Speaking as a reader, please stop sugar coating bad writing. It produces mediocre, barely engaging books that could have been great if the authors had tried to work through their issues to strengthen their craft instead of believing good enough was good enough.

Do you need to brush up on the industry standards for fiction? Check out Substantive Editing for Fiction—this four-part class will walk you through the foundational elements you need to know to provide a comprehensive substantive edit. The first class—SEF 101—start today!

My debut novel—Summer Plans and Other Disasters—is now available on Amazon! Sign up for my monthly newsletter and you’ll receive the unpublished prologue: find out what inspired Calista Stephens to make those summer plans. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for writing tips, updates on Guiding Light, and more!

End of the Year Sale — Novel Critiques!

November 26, 2018 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

Black Friday, Shop Small Saturday, and Cyber Monday are behind us, but the holiday savings aren’t over yet — this December I’m offering 25% off all novel critiques!

What’s a critique? It’s a review of your manuscript without the line-by-line comments and edits. It includes:

Overall assessment of the story and writing strengths and weaknesses
Comments and suggestions at the end of each chapter
Fiction Fliers to explain various fiction-writing techniques (as needed)
Recommendations for the next step

When and why should you consider a critique?

When you’re in a hurry. Substantive edits can take 4-6 weeks to complete depending on how much work the manuscript needs and how detailed of an edit you’ve requested. Sometimes, however, you need (or want!) input faster than that. Because a critique is an assessment (not an edit), it usually only takes 1-2 weeks. Perfect for the person who’s looking for tips NOW!
When finances are tight. In an ideal world, every new author would hire a substantive editor before submitting their first manuscript to an agent or publisher. Realistically, however, that edit can cost upwards of $4,000. Not everyone can afford that. That’s where critiques can help — get a professional review, suggestions, tips, and recommendations at a fraction of the cost of a substantive edit!
When you don’t know what you need. Not sure whether or not your book is ready for an edit? Are you wondering if your story is even worth pursuing? Then consider a critique. Not only will you receive comments and suggestions from an industry professional, but you can apply the cost of your critique toward a substantive, developmental, or line edit, when you’re ready.*

From now until the end of the month, anyone who schedules a novel critique for 2019 will receive 25% off the full critique — that’s just $1.50 per page! But don’t wait until that manuscript is done to contact me! Editors’ schedules fill up quickly, including mine. Reserve your spot today to make sure you get on the schedule for your novel critique.

Questions? Don’t hesitate to ask, and have a very merry Christmas!

—

Owner of Write Now Editing, Karin Beery’s passion is fiction. As Managing Editor for Guiding Light Women’s Fiction (an imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas) and an instructor for the PEN Institute, her goal is the same: to help authors create engaging novels that captivate their audiences. She specializes in substantive fiction edits, helping authors with big-picture issues like characterization, plot holes, and authenticity while also honing fiction-writing techniques, such as showing, point of view, dialogue, and more.

Karin is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of American, and Christian Proofreaders and Editors Network. She is represented by literary agent Steve Hutson at WordWise Media. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

*Manuscripts in which characters, setting, or plot elements are changed will not be eligible to have critique costs applied to edits.

Making the Switch – Write Now Editing!

July 30, 2018 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

If you want to succeed in business, it’s important to know your audience – who are they, what do they want, and how can you help them. As their needs change, you have a choice to make – change with them or let them find someone else who will help them.

For the past several months I’ve been noticing the changing tide. Fewer people contact me regarding content writing. More people want to know about book writing and fiction editing. Roughly 80% of my income now comes from editing, teaching, and other book-related work … so what does it mean for Write Now Editing & Copywriting Services?

Good-bye “Copywriting Services,” and welcome to Write Now Editing!

That doesn’t mean I’ll never be available to write content for anyone, nor does it mean I’ll stop helping businesses and organizations create more effective copy, but I need to connect with my clients, and those clients are currently in the fiction-writing realm.

What does that mean for this blog?

There will still be social media and design tips (thank you Leslie Krukowski and Sierra Kellermeyer!) because authors need to know those things too! But you’ll notice a difference in the rest of the content – not as much business writing and more emphasis on fiction writing and editing.

I had planned on making this switch later in the year/early next year, but my first novel releases September 1, so I feel like this is the time to transition. It’s going to be a gradual transition; you may have already noticed some of the new tabs and updated links on the page. By the end of the year, the blog will fully convert and new fiction-focused resources will be available.

I’m addicted to content writing, though, so you’ll still find me tweeting about it and sharing some of my favorite tips on LinkedIn. And just because you won’t necessarily find me writing about it here, your questions are always encouraged! If I can’t help you, I’ll find someone who can.

So, here’s to the transition – moving toward my original passion (fiction) while embracing my love of helping others (editing and teaching!). Welcome to Write Now Editing: Editor. Teacher. Speaker.

Are you interested in learning more? Would you like to receive tips and special offers sent directly to your inbox? Sign up for my newsletter!

Five Ways to Strengthen Your Novel—and Your Life! By Linda Nathan

4 Tips to Creating a Cleaner Manuscript By Sue A. Fairchild

Bad Writing is NOT Your Author’s Voice

End of the Year Sale — Novel Critiques!

Making the Switch – Write Now Editing!

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