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Editing Fiction: Detect and Correct for Success by Kathy Gaudry

October 23, 2022 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

Want to edit your first manuscript but you’re not sure how? Here’s the ultimate guide to a simple editing method that will bring the best out of your manuscript!

You’ve finally finished your manuscript! But what’s the next step?

If this has happened to you, don’t worry because you are not alone. Just keep reading!

In every manuscript, there is an author and in every author, there is an editor.

We all know how tricky and tiring editing can be, especially if you’ve just started your writing career. Editors can be a bit pricey and seeing that you’ve just started out, you have to edit it yourself because you have no budget.

Here’s the problem: How do you start your editing? What exactly are the things you have to look out for?

Well, I’ve got the solution for you! Presenting the Editing Fiction: Detect and Correct For Success by Kathy Gaudry. We know how editing fictional books is hard, so in this book, you will learn a simple method of editing your work!

Through this book, you’ll discover:

The ABCs of Editing Your Manuscript: Learn the basics of editing grammar for fiction works such as how to use proper apostrophes, punctuations, and more!
How To Build A Detailed Stylesheet: Create a simple yet detailed stylesheet that helps you to edit faster and maintain consistency throughout your work.
The Elements Affecting Your Work: Delve into the various elements of fiction and understand how these elements relate to your manuscript.
How To Deal With Editing Issues: Acquire the skills to deal with editing issues, for instance when your brain stops you from doing an accurate edit.

Kathy understands how editing can be challenging for a starter. This book is meant to ease you through the toughest of concepts and empowers you to confidently edit your own manuscript.

Knowing this was a short book, I didn’t expect a lot of in-depth fiction-editing information, but this book was a little sparse for someone who’s been studying fiction writing for a while.

There’s some good info in here that I would recommend to people thinking about writing who aren’t sure how much work is involved — this will give you a good idea of how many different things you need to know before you write (though it won’t help you identify or fix those areas).

However, despite the emphasis on producing a clean book, there are a few typos and significant formatting errors that make the book awkward to read at times.

My biggest issue with the book is the suggestion to use the Chicago Manual of Style but offering other grammar guides. If writes are seeking traditional publication, CMOS is THE style guide. Relying on any other could result in punctuation/grammar mistakes in a manuscript.

Overall, I’m not sure I’d consider this to help an experienced writer self-edit, but it could definitely help new writers manage their expectations.

Get your copy here!

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How I Write: Leslie L. McKee

October 10, 2022 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

Writing and editing go hand in hand, but success in one doesn’t automatically translate into success in the other. There’s still a lot of hard work involved, and it can take years to succeed in both.

But for professionals like Leslie McKee, the hard work is paying off. A successful book editor, Leslie became a published author last year, and today she’s going to share her tips and suggestions with us. Welcome!

What do you write? How/why did you pick your genre?

At this time, I mainly write devotions, and I’ve written a few flash fiction stories. I am starting to work on some ideas for future projects, which are a children’s book and a nonfiction book.

While I wrote a lot when I was younger, my current journey began when an editing contact presented me with an opportunity to participate in a devotional compilation. I agreed before I gave myself time to think about the fact that I’d never written a devotion before 😊 That led to a contract for ten devotions to be included in the Just Breathe devotional journal compilation (published in 2017 by Ellie Claire/Worthy Publishing).

How long does it take you to: write the book? Edit it? Finalize it?

At this time, I’ve only had one book published: my devotional journal, Hope Amid the Pain, which was released in October 2021. I worked on the book for close to three years, from start to publication. Most of the book was written over the course of one month, and I largely wrote it for myself. The introduction and back matter came later, after I decided I was going to self-publish or seek out a traditional publisher. I worked with an independent editor, which didn’t take long. I signed my publishing contract in April 2021, and the book was published six months later.

What’s your favorite writers conference? What do you like about it?

I’ve attended a few conferences (in alphabetical order: ACFW, Breathe, KCWC – Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, KidLIt Virtual Conference, Kingdom Writers Conference, Mt. Zion Ridge Press Conference, Penned Con, and She Speaks). Over the past few years, I’ve attended them virtually, which I LOVE doing! I’ve been able to attend conferences that I wouldn’t have been able to attend in person, and I’ve been richly blessed by the knowledge gained at all of these. I can’t choose just one favorite. I really enjoy the opportunity to learn more about the craft, as well as the numerous connections that are made at conferences.

What conference do you most want to attend?

Since I wear a variety of hats, I’d like to do many conferences (writing, editing, and speaking). I like the general writing conferences, since they cover both fiction and nonfiction, and many seem to cover speaking, as well as general practices such as marketing. Some on my radar for the future are Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and Writers Digest’s Annual Conference. I’d love to attend one overseas, as well.

What’s your writing day like?

I don’t have a specific schedule, which does create a problem for me. Since I am an editor, my clients’ stories come first most days. At this time, I work on my writing where I can fit it in, which often is in the evening. When I wrote Hope Amid the Pain, I almost exclusively wrote it in the evenings (and much was done during the month of November, for NaNoWriMo.) I’m working on creating a schedule where my writing is worked into my day so I can have a bit of “off-time” in the evenings.

How do you prepare to write your books: pantser, plotter, both, something completely different? Describe your strategy.

So far, I’ve only written/published one book. For that book, as well as the devotions I’ve written for compilations, I have done a bit of both. In general, I choose a Bible verse and let that lead me through the devotional content. When I wrote the flash fiction stories, which were quite outside my wheelhouse, God dropped the ideas in my head, and the stories came together quite quickly. For the projects I currently have in progress, I have a general outline for what I’d like to cover, as well as a few examples, but I haven’t got much beyond that at this time.

What’s surprised you the most about the publishing process?

I’ve been associated with the publishing industry for close to twenty years (as a reviewer then an editor and now as an author), so I knew quite a bit about the publishing process. However, I’ve learned that putting on an author hat is quite different from the editing hat I’ve worn for many years.

If you’ve ever worked with a freelance editor, how did you find that editor? How would you describe the experience?

I used a freelance editor for my debut book. I’m an editor myself, and I wasn’t sure if I’d be self-publishing or submitting to traditional publishers. I know the importance of hiring an editor, so I didn’t want to skip that step. Thanks to my membership in The Christian PEN, I already knew a number of freelance editors, so it was somewhat easy to choose one who would be an appropriate fit for my manuscript.

Why me? Is God punishing me? Is my faith not strong enough for God to heal me? How can I achieve my dreams? What’s my purpose?

If you’re someone living with a chronic illness or chronic pain, these are just a few of the questions you’ve likely asked on more than one occasion. You may feel overlooked or even resentful. You try to stay positive, but some days it’s hard. It’s natural to feel this way and grieve, but it’s still possible to have a hope-filled life. God has a purpose for the pain.

Leslie is an author, editor, and reviewer. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and The Christian PEN. Her devotions have been published in compilations by Ellie Claire (2017 and 2020). Her flash fiction stories have been published with Havok, Splickety, and Spark. Her devotional journal (HOPE Amid The Pain: Hanging on to Positive Expectations When Battling Chronic Illness and Pain) was released in 2021. She enjoys reading, crocheting, spending time with family and friends (and her turtle Speedy!), and rooting for the NY Giants.

Website: https://leslielmckee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leslielmckee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leslielmckee/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeslieLMcKee
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7300724.Leslie_L_McKee
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Leslie-L-McKee/e/B09G26L6BW?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1663249020&sr=8-1

Guide to Fiction Writing by Phyllis A. Whitney (book review)

October 3, 2022 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

One of today’s leading novelists gives practical advice on how to write publishable fiction. Planning a novel, characterization, suspense, flashbacks, beginnings, and endings are all covered; a checklist for revision is also included.

Published in 1982, I wasn’t sure about this book at first, but someone recommended it so I thought I’d try it.

This was such a refreshing read. It isn’t a universal writing book (if you do this, then this will happen), but it really is a look at Whitney’s writing process. With 75 published novels from 1941-1997, she obviously had some success, but what I appreciate about her approach is that she simply explains what worked for her (passed away in 2008).

I’ve read quite a few writing books, so I found it fascinating how many things have changed as well as how many have stayed the same. She discusses many things that we have different names for these days, but the basics are the same. I especially appreciated her comments on how many new writers make excuses and fear edits. I hear the same things today, including comments about how it was easier to publish “back in the day,” but Whitney’s book makes it clear that most of the struggles are still the same.

If you’re looking for a new approach to writing books, it’s definitely worth picking up — sometimes we tune out tips because we’ve heard the same phrases over and over again, and her different terms and styles make you pay attention. There are a few things to keep in mind though:

Flashbacks, Transitions, & Time: Some of that chapter will apply for those writing dual/split timeline novels, but flashbacks are a bit out of style in the 2020s.
Getting Your Novel Published: Most of this info is outdated. Ignore her tips on working the process (of submitting and agents–those no longer apply), but heed her encouragement on surviving the process (it’s a marathon, not a sprint).

Rated PG.

Get your copy here!

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How I Write: Penny Zeller

September 26, 2022 by Karin Beery 2 Comments

All writers dream about signing with their dream agent, who helps them break out with their first novel to become a NYT best-selling author.

Success rarely looks like that, though. For most authors like Penny Zeller, it takes more work and effort than that, but she has some tips and suggestions to help authors make the most of their long (sometimes frustrating) journeys.

What do you write? How did you pick your genre?

Thank you, Karin, for inviting me to be here today. I primarily write Christian historical romance. I first started writing this genre with my Montana Skies Series and found that I loved spending time in the late 1800s/early 1900s. It was a simpler and more wholesome time and, as someone who loves to read historical romance, a good fit.

I have also written two contemporary Christian romances, which I really enjoyed, and my agent recently encouraged me to also pursue writing romantic suspense. I love to read this genre, and I’m excited to see where God leads me regarding writing it.

No matter what genre I add to my list, I know I will never be able to stop writing historical romance as that is my first “love”, no pun intended.

You’ve written multiple books. Which was harder: the first book or the following book?

The first novel I wrote for publication, McKenzie, was written during a particularly difficult time in my life while I was recovering from a car accident and back-to-back bacterial infections. The words flowed easily, for which I’m grateful, because it took my mind off of my situation. In that way, the first book was much easier.

Sometimes subsequent books are harder, especially if it’s the start of a new series, simply because I’m starting from scratch. At the same time, sometimes they are much easier because I’ve learned so much (and still have so much to learn!) about the writing process.

What writing book do you want to read next? Why?

I just noticed that volume two of The Conflict Thesaurus is out. I have the entire collection of these helpful books by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi and can’t wait to add this one to my writing library.

What’s your writing day like?

On my writing days, after Bible time and breakfast, I launch into checking my social media, emails, calls, and other messages. Then I begin working on my current project. After lunch, I exercise, then return to writing. One of the things I do that I find very helpful is to punch in the number of words in my WIP into my desk calculator and set the timer. How many words can I accumulate in that time? This holds me accountable if my mind starts to wander or I’m tempted to check social media. Many times after dinner and my family is in bed, I return to the computer. Some of my best writing has occurred in the late evening hours.

How do you combat writer’s block?

That is a really good question. Writer’s block is tough, and it can hit at the worst and most unexpected times. I have found the more I force the words, the harder it is. Instead, when writer’s block makes its entrance, I take a break for a few days and give my mind a rest. I take the opportunity to dive into a book I’ve been wanting to read or tackle neglected chores.

Before long, a scene is begging to be penned and I’m back to writing.

How do you prepare to write your books: pantster, plotter, both, something completely different? Describe your strategy.

I am a pantster. I rarely write all of the scenes in order and I never outline when I write fiction. I actually watch the scenes play out in my mind and attempt replicate them somewhat on paper.

I do keep a notebook and pen on my nightstand so I can take notes because ideas always seem to arrive at the most inopportune times (like when I should be sleeping!).

What advice do you have for new authors?

I would tell them to persevere. I know that sounds cliché, but it is so critical, especially in those moments when the obstacles mount and it seems like our writing is going nowhere beyond our own computer file. If God has called you to write, He has a purpose for that writing. We may never be best-selling authors, but our writing can still make a difference to those who read it.

God calls us all to do different things for His Kingdom. If He has called you to write, seek His guidance. Never give up, even when you feel like it or when someone has unkindly criticized you. Seek to please and honor Him in whatever you write, whether it be for the secular or non-secular market; whether it be fiction, nonfiction, poetry, song lyrics, or a screenplay. Find a mentor and be open to ideas and suggestions from one who’s “been there, done that”. One final note: join forces with other Christian writers. After all, we all work for the same Boss.

What does your revision process look like?

Editing is my least favorite thing when it comes to writing a book (I’m sure I’m in good company!). I usually wait several days before embarking on editing because my eyes become too accustomed to the story and I find that I have a tendency to miss things. I print out the manuscript and find a comfortable location, usually in my outdoor office at the picnic table, or curled up in my recliner. I go line-by-line and read through it, marking it up with my bright pink pen. Then I go back and make changes and repeat the process. Usually, there are a million arrows where I’ve added scenes and asterisks indicating where I need to insert the added scenes. If someone were to find my notes, they’d never be able to decipher them!

Some memories are best forgotten…

The Wyoming Territory is rife with lawlessness and disorder, something Annie Ledbetter and her parents discover when their wagon train is robbed. Seven years later, Annie settles into her lifelong dream as a teacher in the small town of Willow Falls. When she meets handsome rancher Caleb Eliason through a humorous misunderstanding, she is quickly drawn to his kind heart and charming smile.

Former outlaw Caleb Eliason embraces his chance at a fresh start. Gone are the days of robbing stagecoaches and wagon trains. When he falls in love with the new Willow Falls teacher, he doesn’t realize they’ve met before—under much different circumstances. When his past comes to light, will it put the growing love between them at risk?

Can forgiveness and redemption heal two broken hearts or will the past keep them from sharing a future?

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics. Today, Penny is the author of over a dozen books. She is also a homeschool mom and a fitness instructor.

When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, camping, hiking, canoeing, reading, running, cycling, gardening, and playing volleyball.

She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and loves to hear from her readers at her website www.pennyzeller.com and her blog, random thoughts from a day in the life of a wife, mom, and author, at www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com.

Website: www.pennyzeller.com
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How I Write: Judith McNees

September 12, 2022 by Karin Beery 1 Comment

You all know I’m a sucker for a contemporary romance novel–and I LOVE connecting with other Michigan writers–so today’s interview is super special for me.

Author Judith McNees is a fellow Michigander with a heart for romance. I was thrilled to chat with her, and I can’t wait to introduce you to her.

Let’s go!

What do you write? How did you pick your genre?
I write contemporary Christian romance. I picked this genre because it is what I enjoy reading the most. I want my writing to encourage and uplift its readers while pointing them back to Jesus. I also always want to write a happily ever after, even if my characters have a hard road to get to it.

What’s the most difficult part of writing your genre? How do you work through those challenges?
The most challenging part of writing in my genre is writing believable characters who are not Christians. As a reader, I expect that when I pick up a novel with a Christian label, there will be no swearing and only chaste representations of romance. My goal is to write my characters in a way that naturally represents their personalities without including words or images that could cause a reader to fall into sin. When I have a challenging character, I pray over the scenes, and I will often send them to sensitivity readers to ensure they don’t go too far.

What conference do you most want to attend? Why?
I would love to attend the ACFW Conference. ACFW is the organization that has been the most helpful in sharpening my writing and editing skills, and they always put out quality content. Several of my favorite authors are ACFW members, and I would love to meet them in person. I’m a sucker for an autographed book, so I would totally fangirl if I met them!

How do you combat writer’s block?
I combat writer’s block several ways. First and foremost, I pray. I also have a prayer partner who will pray over specific aspects of my writing, including scenes, characters, and even themes.

The second thing I do is worship. I am a worshiper at heart, and it is the fastest way to connect with the heart of the One who called me to write. The third thing I do is to message a writer friend who helps me brainstorm. Finally, I set a fifteen-minute timer and write anything. Even if it turns out terribly, at least I have something on the page to edit!

How do you prepare to write your books: pantser, plotter, both, something completely different?
I would say I’m a combination of plotting and pantsing. The series I am currently writing and publishing is a five-book series. I have planned far enough to know the tropes and social issues I will address in each novel to set up the new ones in the preceding ones. I typically have an idea of the major plot points, but I don’t plan out every scene when I start writing.

Why did you decide to self-publish?
I decided to self-publish for a lot of different reasons. I liked the idea of having total creative control of the product I’m putting out. For example, I went through three covers for my first release until I got it exactly how I wanted it. I can also include as many Scripture references and as much Christian content as I want without worrying whether an editor will think it is “too preachy.”

Knowing that my debut novel was the first in a series of five also drove that decision. In my research, I saw that if a publisher isn’t happy with the sales from a first novel, a writer might not get a contract for the second. I didn’t want to wait to publish parts two through five.

Finally, and most importantly, throughout my pre-published process, I went to the Lord in prayer over my writing. After all, I do this to glorify Him. What I continue to sense is that the indie publishing route is the right way for me to go. If He leads me differently in the future, I will gladly follow His leadership.

How do you self-edit your manuscript?
Self-editing is a fairly involved process for me.

Once I finish revising, I edit one chapter at a time. I start by running the chapter through ProWritingAid, Grammarly, and Microsoft Word. I also search my list of weasel words and passive verbs. After I do that, I import the chapter into my formatting software, Atticus.io. In Atticus, I ensure my sentence structure has enough variation at the start of each paragraph on each page as it will appear in the print version of my novel. Once I’m happy with that, I do a line-by-line edit to catch anything that may have slipped through earlier edits. After I’ve done this for every chapter, I read the entire thing out loud. Finally, I export a pdf and epub version and read through both of them at least once.

What does your revision process look like?
My revision process isn’t as involved as my editing process since I do so much revising when I edit. Typically, I do this chapter by chapter as well.

I pay special attention to the dialog. I want my characters to have their own unique quirks in the dialog, so I look for places I can tweak it. For example, I have one character who starts some of her sentences with conjunctions. I make sure I haven’t done this with any other characters. I also try to ensure that my male characters sound masculine. When in doubt, I turn to my hubby and ask him how a man would say it! I also add any descriptions I left out in my rough draft since I tend to write fast. Finally, I look for ways to bring out particular character traits.

Can two broken hearts learn to trust each other…and God?

Grace Morgan has a closely guarded secret. One that also makes her good at guarding her heart. After all, she has what she needs to be content. She won’t make the mistake of falling for another man at work…until the hunky new guy she’s trying not to notice moves in across the hall.

Tyler Danby has a secret, too. Left by his wife, who takes away everything he cares about, he’s nursing his wounds and starting over. When he strikes up a friendship with his quirky neighbor, he wonders whether God might be giving him a second chance at love.

Secrets have a way of coming out. And broken trust is hard to restore.

Contemporary Christian romance author Judith McNees lives in southwestern Michigan with her husband and four of their seven children, along with their three dogs. Her family loves to travel together, but she still believes that her home state is one of the most beautiful states there is. She is a proud stay-at-home mom, stepmom, foster mom, adoptive mom, and grandma, which gives her plenty of fodder for her writing. She holds a B.A. in English from Western Michigan University and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. You can connect with her on her website, Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads, and Amazon.

Editing Fiction: Detect and Correct for Success by Kathy Gaudry

Want to edit your first manuscript but you’re not sure how? Here’s the ultimate guide to a simple editing method that will bring the best out of your manuscript!

How I Write: Leslie L. McKee

Guide to Fiction Writing by Phyllis A. Whitney (book review)

How I Write: Penny Zeller

How I Write: Judith McNees

ABOUT ME

Copywriting

Editing

Author Page

Resources

Want to edit your first manuscript but you’re not sure how? Here’s the ultimate guide to a simple editing method that will bring the best out of your manuscript!

ABOUT ME

Connect

Copywriting

Editing

Author Page

Resources