www.inkthinkerblog.com — Well, perhaps my professional blogging career isn’t dead in the water! I contacted another option earlier this week and have been talking with my relevant person over the last few days to work out some possibilities. It looks like I’ll be starting as a paid blogger taking over an existing blog that has absolutely nothing to do with writing (though I’m sure I’ll find a way to bring it in!). More info when the contract is signed. Woohoo, perseverance!
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www.kristenkingfreelancing.com
Finalist in 2006 Writer’s Digest Best Writer’s Website Contest
Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King
www.inkthinkerblog.com — When’s the right time to hire an editor? In my professional-editor opinion, you shouldn’t hire an editor until you’ve finished at least the second draft — and after the third draft would be better.
You wouldn’t just wake up one morning and decide that you’re going to run a marathon that day. You’d make the decision and then you’d start training. It doesn’t just happen overnight — and neither does writing a book. You can find an editor to work with you at any stage of the game, but the more work you do for yourself, the less costly editing will be in the end.
Don’t hire an editor until…
- You run Spell Check and personally review every single item it calls out as a possible error. If you don’t know whether it’s right or wrong, look it up.
- You get rid of passive voice in every instance unless you’re using it intentionally for effect. For example, “The ball was thrown by Joe” should be “Joe threw the ball.”
- You delete verbal tics; that is, just because you like a word doesn’t mean it needs to be on every page of your manuscript. For instance, in the Left Behind series (which, incidentally, I hate), the word “niggling” is e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e. It’s distracting. Get a thesaurus already!
- You remove pointless details. If it’s not critical to the story, take it out. If it is critical to the story, show me, don’t tell me. (Click here and here for more info on showing vs. telling.)
- You inject action into the story. Switching from passive voice to active voice will be really helpful, but pages upon pages of backstory and setting are going to drag you down anyway. Don’t start with 1,000 words about the building where the explosion happens (especially since it’s going to blow up anyway, duh); start with the explosion.
- You look at other books to make sure you’re doing simple things like timing and organization correctly. If you’re in the United States, which most of my readers are, punctuation goes INSIDE the quotation marks, people. “Stop that!” Janis exclaimed. “Are we going to the mall?” Joe asked. “Let’s get a puppy,” Sue suggested. Please don’t screw this up. It’s correct in basically every book you’ve read your whole life, so seriously, there’s no excuse.
- You get feedback from a critique group on what’s working and what’s not working. I can’t tell you how many manuscripts I’ve read that simply don’t make sense. It’s like, “Dude, has anyone read this but you? Do you want anyone else to read this? Because if you do, they’re probably going to want to have some clue of what the heck you’re talking about.” Join a writing group! Get online and hit up the Share Your Work forum at Absolute Write Water Cooler! It’s free. It’s helpful. You need it. Trust me.
- You repeat steps 1-7 at least three times. I’m not kidding. Wanna know why it’s so hard for new writers to get published? Because they don’t get that a lot of work needs to go into crafting a publishable manuscript. And yes, it is a craft. Knowing how to type does not make someone a writer. Knowing how to type 180,000 words and insert “Chapter X” every 20 pages or so does not make someone a writer, either.
Why on earth would you want to spend literally thousands of dollars on editing and coaching services when all of these steps are things you’re completely capable of doing? Don’t
complain about the cost of editing —
do something about it.
Improve your manuscript.
Educate yourself as to what “publishable” really means.
Read good books. And I don’t just mean books whose covers you like so you pick them up in the check-out line at the market. I mean classics, too. I mean
books like these. Study the pacing, the dialogue, the characterization, the length. Learn how the pros balance background with action. Practice your skills. Be a
writer instead of just a person who writes.
I know you can do it. And if you’re feeling lazy, I’d be happy to take your thousands of dollars.
Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King
www.inkthinkerblog.com — Woohoo! Free QuickBooks Simple Start 2007 for all!
I started with the Simple Start edition a year and a half ago and loved it, but when it came time to think about an upgrade, I went with the professional edition. It kicks serious organziational butt.
If you’re still using a Word doc, a spreadsheet, or, heaven forbid, notes scribbled on scraps of paper, please, please, please click here to take advantage of this great free offer.
Here’s what you get (and, for the record, the parallelism issues are theirs, not mine):
- Completely FREE software—not a trial, no expiration date
- Easily track sales & expenses—organize your finances in one place
- Manage 20 vendor & customer names—easily upgrade if you need more
- Download now or order a free CD
And what’s in it for me? Nothing but the sheer pleasure of watching you improve your business’ finances.
NOTE: This offer expires on January 31, 2007. Simple Start Free Starter Edition is for first-time QuickBooks users. It will not import data from prior versions of QuickBooks: Basic, Pro or Premier Editions, Quicken or PeachTree. Requires Windows operating system.
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www.kristenkingfreelancing.com
Finalist in 2006 Writer’s Digest Best Writer’s Website Contest
Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King
www.inkthinkerblog.com — Kristen, maybe you’ve already answered this question before, but where do you get your artwork/photos/pictures? I especially loved the picture of the pomegranate.
– T
I loved the pomegranate picture, too. It looks so tasty! I get my images from a variety of places, but my favorite is stock.xchng. I use only photos that have no usage restrictions at all or whose only restrictions are that I notify the photographer. I found the graphics for my Q&A posts by searching “free typewriter font” because I knew I wanted typewriter keys. A little creative googling goes a long way! Just make sure the creator gives permission for the artwork to be repurposed, or you’re gonna be a hardcore copyright infringer, yo.
Check out this list of free and cheap stock photo resources from ::inkthinker:: back in August for some more ideas.
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www.kristenkingfreelancing.com
Finalist in 2006 Writer’s Digest Best Writer’s Website Contest
Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King
www.inkthinkerblog.com — About a week ago, I subscribed to Suzanne Lieurance’s Morning Nudge (“Words to inspire and motivate you to get a little writing done today”). To be honest, I did it for the two free e-books that another blogger (Alicia, was that you?) mentioned. I figured I’d just unsubscribe from the free accompanying newsletter the first time I received it, but lo and behold, I really like it! In fact, I like it so much that I just e-mailed Suzanne a thank-you note to let her know how much it helps me every day. And, in fact, I like it so much that I think you should subscribe, too.
Go to Suzanne’s website and look for the e-book request form on the right about halfway down the first page. And while you’re there, take the Working Writers Quiz just below. Suzanne will e-mail you the results.
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www.kristenkingfreelancing.com
Finalist in 2006 Writer’s Digest Best Writer’s Website Contest
Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King
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