Write Now Editing

Sample Edits: Good for Everyone

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Earlier today, I mentioned to a group of editors that I prefer to provide sample edits to clients. A new, young editor contacted me privately to ask about that:

I’m curious about your suggestion to offer a free sample edit, and I’d love to hear more about your success with that. Currently, most of my freelance work comes from [a website], and I haven’t offered free samples because somewhere I read something that discouraged that.

Curious Editor

What a great question! Here’s how I replied:

Sample edits definitely have a divided audience — some editors refuse to do them, others swear by them. I’m actually in both camps because I believe there are appropriate times for sample edits but there are also times to say no.

I only provide sample edits when working on full-length book projects, and I only edit the first 2-3 pages of the manuscript in question. Here’s why:

  1. If someone asks you to edit pages 14-15, they’re probably getting free samples from lots of editors in hopes of getting many pages edited for free.
  2. If they want you to edit an entire article (500-750 words) to see if I’d be a good fit for them on an unseen project,they’re probably sending out dozens of articles to get as many free edits as possible.

By limiting the free sample to the first 2-3 pages of a book manuscript, I can see how serious the author is about hiring an editor (versus getting free editing).

I’ve heard some editors say they don’t offer free samples because they shouldn’t have to prove their ability, but I’ve never looked at it as if I’m proving myself. Instead, I see it as an audition — the author gets to see how I work and I get to see how he/she reacts. It is not easy to hand over 80,000 words to a stranger and ask them to point out all of your mistakes; if the author/editor personalities don’t match or their styles are completely different, it will make it even harder (for both parties). My editing approach isn’t right for every author, and that’s okay. I’d rather discover that in a sample edit than after the edit’s complete.

The sample also helps the author see how much work is really involved in the edit. They might scoff at you for quoting $2,000 for a project, but after they see how thoroughly you edit, they’ll understand.

Even though I’ve built up my reputation enough that I don’t need to offer sample edits (I have authors seeking me out instead of having to hunt for clients), I still like to offer them. In my experience, they help put the author at ease by helping them better understand the process and what will be happening.
I hope that helps!

How do you feel (as an author or editor) about sample edits?

How I Write: Jennifer Uhlarik

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Looking for a good writer’s conference to attend? How about tips for breaking through writer’s block? Today, multi-published author and editor Jennifer Uhlarik sits down to tell us what it’s really like being a writer.

Welcome! Let’s start with what you write and how you picked your genre.
I write historical fiction, with my favorite time period being the Old West. I kind of fell into this genre accidentally. I come from a long line of history nerds, and as a child, I read a lot of “horse” books—The Black Stallion series, etc. But when I got to the point that I’d read every young adult book I could find with a horse on the cover, I started searching for something new. I went into my oldest brother’s room and raided his bookshelf, found the only book that had a horse on the cover (a Louis L’Amour western), and began to read it. I quickly discovered that the horse was okay, but the guy on the horse was amazing, and the time period in our country’s history was rife with struggles and adventure. That’s where my love for the genre was born.

If you’ve written multiple books, which was harder: the first book or the following books? Why?
Oh gosh. I’ve found that every book comes with its own challenges. No one is any easier than another. Some take inordinate amounts of research to get the history down. Others, the characters are tight-lipped and won’t tell me what they’re thinking. So each one is difficult in its own way.

What’s your favorite writers conference? What do you like about it?
My new favorite is Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference. I love the faculty—they always have a great group of authors, agents, editors, and other industry professionals teaching classes at this conference, and everyone is so encouraging, no matter what stage of writing you’re in. And hey, you can’t beat the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain setting!

What’s your writing day like?
A typical day for me is to wake up, read my Bible, then go to the gym with my (retired) hubby. Once we’re home, we’ll have lunch together, and I’ll get to work. I’ll work through the afternoon until dinnertime. We’ll prepare and eat our meal, maybe watch a bit of TV together, and depending on how much more I need to get done that day, I’ll usually sit back down and write a while more. If I’m on a close deadline, then all bets are off, and I’m shackled to my computer until the story is done.

How do you combat writer’s block?
Usually, my writer’s block comes in the form of not knowing how to bridge the gap between where I am in the story and the next major plot point, so sometimes all it takes is to re-read the synopsis I wrote for the story. Other times, I go back and re-read part or all of the story to catch the flow and spirit again. Or I talk to my husband and writing friends who are familiar with the story to see what advice they might give on how to proceed from the point I’m at. And—most of all—I pray for God’s inspiration and try to be quiet and listen for His answers.

How do you prepare to write your books: pantser, plotter, both, something completely different?
I’m what I call a “plantser”—a hybrid between a plotter and a pantser. I’ve written a full synopsis (usually 1-3 pages long) on every story that I’ve published before I began the story. This gives me a nice broad-stroke framework. But it also gives me lots of freedom to explore the twists and turns and be a bit more free-spirited in how I move between the major plot points.

What advice do you have for new authors?
First, it’s a proven fact that people who set realistic/attainable goals are far more likely to achieve them. Those who write them down and post their goals where they can see them are even more likely to make them reality. So set writing goals, write them down, and put them where they are staring you in the face every day—above your desk, on your bathroom mirror, on the refrigerator, or all of the above. Second, never give up in pursuing those dreams. No matter how many times you get told “no,” keep moving forward until you hear a “yes.”

What does your revision process look like?
By the time I write “the end,” my stories are usually pretty sound as far as the story itself. I’ve got two readers—a dear writer friend and my husband—who help me keep the story on the right track. But I am always over my word count, so a lot of my revision process is finding ways to cut words without having to cut content. That means examining every sentence to see if I can cull even one or two words to bring the word count down. Across a full manuscript, those one or two words per sentence adds up to thousands of words and has always gotten me to my goal.

Jennifer Uhlarik discovered the western genre as a pre-teen when she swiped the only “horse” book she found on her older brother’s bookshelf. A new love was born. Across the next ten years, she devoured Louis L’Amour westerns and fell in love with the genre. In college at the University of Tampa, she began penning her own story of the Old West.

Armed with a B.A. in writing, she has finaled and won in numerous writing competitions, and been on the ECPA best-seller list several times. In addition to writing, she has held jobs as a private business owner, a schoolteacher, a marketing director, and her favorite—a full-time homemaker. Jennifer is active in American Christian Fiction Writers, Women Writing the West, and is a lifetime member of the Florida Writers Association. She lives near Tampa, Florida, with her husband, college-aged son, and four fur children.

Newsletter Sign-up: https://www.subscribepage.com/Jen’s_Newsletter
Website: www.jenniferuhlarik.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferUhlarikAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenniferUhlarik
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jenuhlarik/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferuhlarik/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jennifer-uhlarik

How I Write: Ane Mulligan

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An author’s brand is important, but sometimes it takes a while to figure out exactly what it is. Christian fiction author Ane Mulligan wrote several books before realizing her brand wasn’t genre specific. She’s here to tell us about it, as well as sharing some of her fiction writing tips and tricks.

Welcome! Let’s start with the basics: what do you write? How did you pick your genre?

I started writing contemporary women’s fiction, but a story set in the Great Depression continued perking in my brain. After the four contemporary books were published, my agent told me to go ahead and write the depression era one. She had noted that all my books feature an ensemble cast of strong Southern women, helping one another through life’s issues. That became my brand/genre: Southern-fried Fiction.

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

I used to write one a year, since I am the managing director of a theatre company. But when COVID-19 shut the theatre down, I wrote 2 ½ books in nine months. The two were edited and turned in. Now that our theatre is open again, I’m trying to find the middle road and write two per year. We’ll see.

What’s your favorite book on writing? What do you like about it?

Early in my career, I loved James Scott Bell’s Plot & Structure. It taught me a lot about the structure of a book. Jim has a great way of teaching. Then his book Quantum Story helped take my writing to another level. I must add my favorite writing companion book is The Flip Dictionary. It’s more than a thesaurus. For example, the word fear: The Flip Dictionary gives you synonyms for different types of fear. I love it and always have it beside me when I write.

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

The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference is my favorite. It’s at a retreat center near Ashville, NC. The accommodations are beautiful, but the main reason is the selection of classes. It’s amazing! They offer a wider variety of classes of any conference I know. I took a continuing, in-depth class on Scrivener, the writing software I use. I found a class I loved on Bullet Journaling. Who knew I could design and customize my own planner?

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

Once I have that “what if” of an idea, I choose my characters’ photos and names. I’m a visual writer and I must have photos to interview them. I also believe names are so important. I’ve had characters change names on me after I’m part way through a book. So, I spend a good amount of time finding those things first.

Then I do an intense interview and write their backstory, sometimes going back several generations. Most of this never goes into a book, but I’ve got to learn about the character’s fears, the lie they believe about themselves, and their motivation, before I can begin to write word one. At that point, I will finally note a few scenes I know must happen to get from the beginning to the end.

With every book I write, I find I get stopped about one quarter or a third of the way in. That’s when I stop and call a critique partner to brainstorm. After a few minutes, I’m filled with ideas and have no problem finishing book.

How do you self-edit your manuscript?

I always edit yesterday’s work top start my new writing day. I also have three of the world’s best critique partners. They catch everything. Interestingly, each of our editors (and we are all at different publishing houses) say we have the cleanest manuscripts they see. And finally, before I turn in the manuscript, I have two beta readers who pick-up little details we might have missed.

To make ends meet, the Fitzgerald women must open their home as a boardinghouse, but will the secrets they uncover prove their undoing?

The day Cora Fitzgerald turned sixteen, she fled Sugar Hill for the bright lights of New York City, leaving behind her senator father’s abuse. But just as her career takes off, she’s summoned home.

The stock market has crashed. The senator is dead. Her mother is delusional, and her mute Aunt Clara pens novels that expose the town’s secrets. Then there’s Boone Robertson, who never knew she was alive back in high school but now manages to be around whenever she needs help.

And the Fitzgerald women need a lot of help, indeed. They are forced to find a way to make ends meet, whether it’s mining for gold or doing what Southern women have done for generations in times of need—turning their home into a boardinghouse.

But will the people of Cora’s past keep her from returning to a brilliant future?

Ane Mulligan has been a voracious reader ever since her mom instilled within her a love of reading at age three, escaping into worlds otherwise unknown. But when Ane saw PETER PAN on stage, she was struck with a fever from which she never recovered—stage fever. She submerged herself in drama through high school and college. One day, her two loves collided, and a bestselling, award-winning novelist emerged. She lives in Sugar Hill, GA, with her artist husband and a rascally Rottweiler. Find Ane on her website, Amazon Author page, Facebook, BookBub, Goodreads, Pinterest, Twitter, and The Write Conversation.

How I Write: Tracey Lyons

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All writers dream of getting published, but not everyone realizes that getting that first book published is just the start of the journey. Staying published is hard work. Author Tracey Lyons shares some of her insights from her years of experience as a successful novelist.

Thank you for being here! Let’s start with talking about what you write.
I write Amish fiction for Harlequin Love Inspired. My agent suggested I try to write in the genre because the historical market was fading. I’m previously published in historical romance with several different publishers. She felt my voice would be a good fit for the Amish genre.

What’s the most difficult part of writing your genre?
I have to say the most difficult part of writing in the Amish genre is there’s so much to learn about the culture. They are a fascinating group of people. And every single community is different in how they dress and the things they are allowed to do. I also struggle with being authentic to the culture.

How do you work through those challenges?
I do my best to research the area where my books are set. In this case, I traveled to Clymer, NY and drove around the area taking pictures and visiting shops along the way.  I try to put myself in the world of being Amish so my characters come across as the real thing.

How long does it take you to: write the book?
It usually takes me two to three months to write the book.

Edit the book?
The editorial process is shared with my agent and the editorial staff at my publishers. And that takes another two to three months. There are a lot of phases a book goes through. You have your copy editor, your content editor and a line editor.  The final process is exciting because I get to see the effort of my team come to fruition in the finished product. So overall from start to finish it’s about a 9-12 month process, give or take.

Which was harder to write: the first book or the following books?
 The first book is fun to write because let’s face it, what do we know about writing when we first start out? LOL! We have a story we want to tell and that’s pretty much all we know. There’s a sweet innocence to that first book. But I would have to say the next book I write always seems to be the hardest. When you’ve become multi-published and hit a few best seller lists, the expectation that my next book has to be better than the last one is always in the back of my mind.

What’s your writing day like?
I’m for the most part a morning writer. I start my day with my mug of tea and I find my favorite chair to sit in. I look out the window while I’m drinking the tea and think about what I’m going to work on that day. Then I get to work. Sometimes I write in my office, but most times I sit downstairs in the kitchen or in front of my fireplace and work. Then around noontime I take a break. I might nap after lunch. And then I do edits and work on marketing. Nothing too exciting!!

How do you combat writer’s block?
Let’s face it, writer’s block sucks. And even the most prolific authors suffer from it at one time or another. This past year I had it the worst it’s ever been. I decided to think outside the box. Instead of beating myself up every day sitting at my laptop, staring at that blinking cursor on the screen, I took some in-depth writing classes. One was on strengths for writers. I have to tell you it was so refreshing to look at my career from a different angle. And it really bolstered my confidence as a writer and now I’m back at my work, writing on a daily basis. This is a tough business, but if it’s what you were born to do then you will find a way to make everything work and to find happiness in putting those words on the page.

How do you prepare to write your books: pantser or plotter?
I’m a bit of both. I usually start with a seed of an idea. Like a movie clip, it plays over and over in my head. Then I write the first three chapters and a synopsis. If that makes sense, I then move on to a plot board. This is something I’ve done the past few years. Prior to that I was doing outlines and timelines. But I really like to be able to move my ideas around. And post-it notes on a tri-fold project board work best for me. I also love to do research. So, I have to throw in time for that. I do a combo of books, internet and traveling to the places where the book is set.

If you have an agent, how did you find/pick your agent?
Believe it or not, my agent and I first met years ago when we were both starting out. At that time, she rejected me. Then over the years I published without an agent. Then I went through three agents and kept querying Michelle. She rejected half a dozen projects of mine. When my former agent and I parted ways, I sent Michelle Grajkowski an email telling her I’d left my current agent and would she be interested in repping me? She said yes and the rest is history.

What tips do you have for others looking for an agent?
Know what your writing style is. Have a clear concept of where you want your writing to go. Don’t ever discount a lunch where you’re chatting at a table with an agent because you never know when the timing will be right and you’ll end up working together.

How do you self-edit your manuscript? 
I don’t have a huge process, but here it is. I write the first draft as free flowing as I can. However, I tend to edit as I write. Meaning when I sit down in the morning, I look at what I wrote the day before. I make adjustments where needed and then I write the new pages. After the book is complete, I do a read through to make sure it all makes sense. I look for grammar issues, and plot points that might not make sense. I also want to make sure I have clear goal, motivation, and conflict for both the plot and the characters. Then I have a beta reader go through it. My agent reads through it and then off it goes to my publisher for their editorial process.

A Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author, Tracey sold her first book on 9/9/99! Tracey’s books have been translated into several languages. She holds membership in American Christian Fiction Writers and Novelists Inc. A true upstate New Yorker, Tracey writes small town, sweet and inspirational historical romances. She is a National Excellence in Romance Fiction, The Greater Detroit Booksellers best, and OKRWA’s Reader’s choice awards finalist.

Learn more about Tracey and her books by visiting her website at www.traceylyons.com. Or by
following Tracey on social media at:
https://www.facebook.com/TraceyJLyonsAuthor,
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tracey-j-lyons

How I Write: Amy R. Anguish

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Authors tend to write what they read, but not always. Amy Anguish is one such author. It’s not that she never reads her genre, it’s just that … well, I’ll let her tell you.

Welcome! Let’s start with what you write — how did you pick your genre?

Can I say my genre picked me? Is that weird? I write mostly contemporary romance with a little women’s fiction. I read a lot of Contemporary romance and women’s fiction, although I might actually read more historical. Why don’t I write historical? I’m too lazy to do all the research. 😉 But also because the stories that come to me are set in the here and now, and I have to write what’s in my head. Otherwise, it won’t shut up.

Same here! I love to read historical romance but have no desire to research and write it. So, what’s the most difficult part of writing your genre? How do you work through those challenges?

I’d say my biggest challenge is making sure my books and characters are all different enough from each other that people don’t feel they’re reading the same story over and over again. I’m sure that’s hard for authors across all genres. I try to give each character their own quirks and flaws and favorite drinks.

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

I started writing (seriously) by participating in Nanowrimo. The goal is 50k words in 30 days. I’ve won ten times now, and four of those books have been published with another coming in Dec. Cram-writing seems to work for me. Editing, I have to wait a few months before I even look at a manuscript after writing it or I won’t catch much. Then, I can usually go through it again in less than a month. Finalizing? I’m honestly not sure. Each book has been different so far, so I don’t have a standard to go by.

If you’ve written multiple books, which was harder: the first book or the following books?

The first was obviously hardest simply because of lack of experience. I started that one knowing how it began and that there was a conflict, but having no idea why the conflict existed until I neared the end of the book. It evolved while I was writing it and became rather different than I thought it would. Now, I am better at knowing how and why things need to happen, and usually go in with a bit more of a plan, although I’m still a bit of a plantser (see below)

What’s your writing day like?

Being a mom of young children (4 and 6), I have to grab writing time when I can, mostly during naptimes and after they’re in bed. That includes all my editing, marketing, and other writing-related stuff too. But they’re both going to be in school in a year and a half and then who knows? I’m looking forward to finding out.

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

Plantser—which is sort of both. I started a pantser, going in not knowing what all would happen. Now, I start with a VERY rough outline, which may or may not change as I write. And still not knowing everything that will happen.

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

How long things take in the traditional publishing world. I knew books weren’t published overnight, but I’ve learned, more often than not, it’s more than a year between contract and release date.

Something else that surprised me is how amazing the Christian publishing world is. I feel like I’ve gained several families with my various publishers and editors and other author friends, and it’s so nice to have these people to walk through this world with.

What does your revision process look like?

I think I might be a little strange about how I write and revise. I usually write about two books a year now. One of those is most often during Nanowrimo in November, but the other is done in usually less than two months, if I have my way. With cramming all those words into just a few weeks, I’m exhausted afterward and wait for a bit before even looking at the manuscript again. This lets it be fresh so I can catch more mistakes. Then, I send to a friend or two who help catch a few more things and point out sentences that might have made sense in my head but didn’t on paper. Then, thankfully, if I get a contract for it after that, I have at least two more rounds of edits with professional editors.

Can letters from the past spur a couple on to the future of their dreams?

Christiana Jones dreamed her whole life of living in Huntsville, Alabama, so she can’t figure out why it doesn’t feel like home. Her relationships—on social media and in real life—seem shallow and empty. When she unearths a stack of her grandparents’ letters, it spurs an idea. Could she find something deeper with a penpal?

Jordan White is taken aback when his cousin Tina suggests he become penpals with her childhood best friend. What could a Louisiana boy have in common with a girl two states away? After all, he’s happily settled on his family’s property and working the job he always wanted. But every letter they exchange has him wishing for more.

As they grow closer through their written words, the miles between them seem to grow wider. Can love cross the distance and bring them home?

Amy R. Anguish grew up a preacher’s kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.

Follow her at:

http://abitofanguish.weebly.com
http://www.facebook.com/amyanguishauthor
https://twitter.com/amy_r_anguish
https://www.pinterest.com/msguish/my-books/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEiu-jq-KE-VMIjbtmGLbJA

ABOUT ME

Editor. Teacher. Novelist.
A passionate lover of fiction, Karin doesn't just write novels, she helps others write their best stories! A certified substantive editor with the Christian Editor Connection, her goal is to help authors to put her out of business by equipping them with the tools they need to become better writers.

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Lover of all things fiction, I also love University of Michigan football, the Detroit Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings, kayaking, gluten-free cupcakes, and my husband.

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