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Six Easy Tips for Self-Editing Your Fiction

Calling all writers – great post on self-editing your work of fiction

Kristen Lamb's Blog

There are a lot of hurdles to writing great fiction, which is why it’s always important to keep reading and writing. We only get better by DOING. Today we’re going to talk about some self-editing tips to help you clean up your book before you hire an editor.

When I worked as an editor, I found it frustrating when I couldn’t even GET to the story because I was too distracted by these all too common oopses.

There are many editors who charge by the hour. If they’re spending their time fixing blunders you could’ve easily repaired yourself? You’re burning cash and time. Yet, correct these problems, and editors can more easily get to the MEAT of your novel. This means you will spend less money and get far higher value.

#1 The Brutal Truth about Adverbs, Metaphors and Similes

I have never met an adverb, simile, or metaphor I…

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I’d like a ghost for a boyfriend…I wouldn’t have to pick his socks up off the floor

Sure, I’d like a ghost for a boyfriend – no picking up dirty clothes or worrying about which way the toilet paper should face. But what does this have to do with anything? Well…back in November I participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and found myself with half a novel. Now after lots and lots of hard work, I’m almost there.

My revisions have gone back to my editor for one last look and then once I make those changes I’m ready for formatting and uploading. My cover is complete and I wanted to share it. I think it came out beautifully – the cover designer did a fantastic job.

I’m hoping to have it available on Amazon in April. Then on all other eReader sites. I’ll also be adding a paperback version and an audiobook version. So while the editor is doing her thing I’ll be working on book 2. Once the first book is live I’ll follow-up and let ya’ll know. For a modern-day ghost story read on…

Lost in ShadowWe were wrong…ghosts are frighteningly real. For centuries a war has been raging between light and shadow…Shadow Walker pitted against Day Walker, threatening to plunge the world into darkness. Colin, an ancient warrior who lost hope long ago, prowls the streets of Edinburgh, eviscerating those who prey on humanity.

Emily possesses the ability to see beyond our realm into the dangerous realms of Light and Shadow. Unwittingly drawn into the shadows when she intervenes to help Colin, igniting his long-buried desires, she unleashes a deadly curse. Now with a week to break the curse, time is running out as they are locked in a deadly fight with forces that will stop at nothing to destroy them before they succeed.

Intensely romantic and thrilling, Lost in Shadow portrays the struggle between redemption and retribution.

Fans of Sherrilyn Kenyon, J.R. Ward, Karen Marie Moning, Charlene Harris, and Jacquelyn Frank will devour this series.

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

 

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Zombies in love…and eating cake with your fingers

I went to see Warm Bodies this weekend and was pleasantly surprised. In case you haven’t seen the previews, IMDB says – After R (a highly unusual zombie) saves Julie from an attack, the two form a relationship that sets in motion a sequence of events that might transform the entire lifeless world.

Get the whole Romeo and Juliet thing? Clever.images I wasn’t sure if I’d like it but…it was really good and the soundtrack is fantastic!  I give it a solid ‘A’. If you haven’t seen it, give it a go.

Oh, today is my birthday and my niece who just turned  eight wanted to know what I was going to do.

Me – Sleep late, eat cake for breakfast, get a pedicure, go out to lunch, take a nap, go out to dinner, see a movie.

Niece – Wait – cake for breakfast. How do you get to eat cake for BREAKFAST?!

Me – ‘Cuz I’m a grown up and can do what I want.

Niece – oh man, that’s so not fair. I’m going to do what I want too when I’m a grown up.

Me – you can even sit on the counter in your PJs and eat the cake with your fingers…

Niece – Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about

How’s your Monday?

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Grimm’s Fairy Tales meet Van Helsing…and rewarding yourself

untitledI went to see Hansel & Gretel today and enjoyed it. It was fun and I got a laugh that Hansel has to give himself insulin shots because he ate too much of the witch’s candy house growing up!  I must admit Jeremy Renner was a big draw for me – loved him in the Hurt Locker.

I give it a ‘B’. It’s an entertaining afternoon but not on my favorite list.

What do you think of Hollywood reinventing all these movies? Like or Not?

Since I finished the first 1/3 of the revisions on my book, I treated myself to a movie. Helps keep me motivated. I also will use rewards such as a pedicure or massage.  All part of my be good to yourself resolution for 2013.MV5BMjA4MDQwODg2NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNTc5ODc2OA@@._V1._SY317_

 

I have a bunch on my ‘want to see’ list:

Mama

Broken City

Parker

Side Effects

A Good Day to Die Hard – gotta love Bruce Willis

Beautiful Creatures

Safe Haven

and that only takes me through February. Now I will say – a couple of these might be RedBox…

 

What’s on your list to see?

Happy Monday!

 

 

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Feeling Retro? Or just want to know what a typewriter is?

For all of you who remember typewriters, take a look at this – a USB typewriter. Someone on Etsy has retrofitted a typewriter to work with your iPad, tablet, computer, etc. How fun!

http://tinyurl.com/d784qz7

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What “retro” items do you use? Fun colored pencils, markers, glitter notebooks? Let us know what you like.

Cheers!

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iPotty – every bathroom reader’s dream

I’m not sure what to think about this…

ipotty

http://tinyurl.com/aaya2jv

The iPotty is billed as a way to help potty train your child – or cat for those of you so inclined. I can’t help but wonder…was the inventor someone who loved to take a newspaper or book into the bathroom with them?

I’ve never been a bathroom reader but I know many folks who are…and I think some of them are wondering if this comes in adult size. After all with physical newspapers and books becoming a thing of the past, it was only a matter of time before the iPad made its debut into this private room.

My friends with children tell me it’s the only place they can get any peace and quiet – I’m thinking put a lock on that walk in closet door, set up a desk or recliner in there and go.

Thoughts?

 

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Have you had Cupcake? Not the iced cake…

cupcakeIf you’re a wine snob, read no further…for the rest of you, read on. I like wine but I don’t care where it was made, etc. All I care is do I like it or not. This past year I discovered Cupcake Wine and let me tell you – YUM!

I tell my nieces this is auntie’s grown up kool-aid and they can’t have any. My favorite is the Pinot Grigio but several of them are fabulous. So if you’re looking for a new wine that won’t break the bank, give Cupcake a try.

If however, you do care about where it’s made the tasting notes, etc. This is straight from the Cupcake Website:

Appellation: D.O.C. Trentino, Italy

Tasting Notes: “Our Pinot Grigio is full with a nose that shows hints of pineapple, pears and sweet lemons. The body is full and gives way to a creamy mid-palate, integrating tropical fruits with the vibrant zing of citrus fruits. It is reminiscent of a pineapple upside down cupcake.”

Food Pairing Recommendations: Enjoy with bay scallops in a cream sauce, linguine alfredo or simply as an aperitif.

Winemaking Notes: The grapes were picked by hand, de-stemmed and crushed before undergoing a cool fermentation in steel tanks. The wine underwent an extended maceration on its lees. A portion of this wine (approximately 5%) was made using the traditional passito method, whereby the grapes were harvested and left to dry on straw mats for several weeks. Once dehydrated they were gently pressed and fermented. This wine was then blended back into the overall wine, giving this Pinot Grigio a level of depth and complexity.

Cheers!

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Try something new…it’s not a resolution for 2013…if you don’t like it, have a glass of wine instead

Maybe you don’t want to make any resolutions this year or maybe you hate the damn things…either way, how about trying one thing out of your comfort zone?002

For instance – you normally only watch RomCom’s? Try an action flick with a hunky hero or hot heroine.

You only read thrillers or suspense? Try a romantic thriller or heck, go way out there and try a nonfiction book. I read Nudge this year and it was interesting. I very rarely read non-fiction.

Never tried your hand at art? How about a painting or heck color something. The painting here is called “A Day at the Farmer’s Market” I painted it after seeing these two ladies arguing over which color mums to buy.

Or maybe you like the idea of a clean slate the new year brings? If so, read on (the rest of you can pop a beer or pour a glass of wine at this point).

In the corporate world goal setting took place late fall every year. There were mandatory goals such as company profits and safety and then a section for personal and professional development goals. Well, since I’m no longer in the corporate world – here are my goals for 2013:

  1. Finish the edits and publish Book 1 – Shadow Dance by end of February
  2. Write 3 novels – book 2 and 3 in the shadow walkers series and the first book of a trilogy based on the end of the world – it’s fun and snarky along with the dark vibe
  3. Make my word count every week
  4. Post to this blog and my www.wickedgreensmoothies.com blog twice a month
  5. Participate in NaNoWriMo again (National Novel Writing Month)
  6. Take time for me – movies, massage, girl’s night out, etc.

I’ll check in to report my progress as the year progresses.

What are your goals for the year? Do you set goals?

And on the trying something new concept – I will give one of those goofy comedy’s a try. Normally I say “this is so not funny” while my friends are laughing their heads off. Also, I’m going to try a fruit and vegetable I’ve never eaten before.

Cheers!