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Writing and Editing tips

These articles for writers and editors help you manage your workflow, stay motivated, understand possibilities, and find solutions to common problems.

5 Types of Editing for Authors

By Belinda Pollard 5 Comments

5 different coloured tulips with the text: 5 Types of Editing for Authors

Developmental editing, content editing, copyediting, proofreading… what do they all mean? And where does self-editing fit into the mix?

Filed Under: Self-Editing, Self-Publishing, Writing & Editing

How I Overcame Writer’s Block: 5 Techniques

By Belinda Pollard 14 Comments

Heading plus photo of Belinda with computer screen and The End.

Have you ever lost traction on a writing project, or wondered if you can actually finish writing a whole book? I’ve been there! This is the story of how I finally beat writer’s block.

Filed Under: Writing & Editing

What to do when you’ve finished the First Draft

By Belinda Pollard 56 Comments

Man standing on high mountain in triumph, with text: What to do when you've finished the first draft

When you type The End on the first draft of your book, celebrate! But also… you are only just beginning.

Filed Under: Beta Readers, Self-Editing, Writing & Editing Tagged With: beta reader, editing a book, first draft, self editing, writing a book

Should Writers Do Their Own Editing?

By Belinda Pollard 14 Comments

Man trying to cut own hair with text: Should writers do their own editing?

Like most of the vexing questions I post on this blog, my answer to “Should writers do their own editing?” is both YES and NO. There are times when we should edit our own work, and times when we need the benefit of someone else’s eyes. Even though I’ve heard it lots of times, I’m […]

Filed Under: Self-Editing, Self-Publishing, Writing & Editing

Writers and Editors, try THIS to Get More Done

By Belinda Pollard 11 Comments

Image of feet with many arrows in different directions

Have you heard of the psychological concept of Decision Fatigue? That we get to the point where we can’t make any more decisions? This article is about a simple technique you could try, to free up more energy and focus for your writing or editing. Decisions, decisions When I was young, back when dinosaurs roamed […]

Filed Under: Writing & Editing

Writers and editors, don’t lose your work!

By Belinda Pollard 23 Comments

Three laptops connected to large blue text BACKUP

Our books-in-progress are valuable. Don’t let yours fall victim to a hacker or computer failure. Here are some tips for how to backup your manuscripts with the least possible hassle.

Filed Under: Writing & Editing

How to Write a Book This Year: 10 Tips

By Belinda Pollard 14 Comments

Imagine this: you are writing on a desert island, or in a cottage with a view over mountains or forest or ocean. Words flow down your arms and out your fingers onto the page – glowing, powerful, beautiful words. Food magically appears when you’re hungry. No one interrupts you. No one disapproves. No one laughs […]

Filed Under: Writing & Editing

How to Tell if You’ve Received a Genuine Publishing Offer

By Belinda Pollard 35 Comments

Everybody seems to want to help us publish a book these days, but some of them are sharks. This is how I investigate a publishing service for quality and integrity.

Filed Under: Self-Publishing, Writing & Editing

5 Publishing Myths Debunked

By Belinda Pollard 12 Comments

These 5 publishing myths are about as real as this unicorn, but not nearly as pretty. They can hurt writers feelings and careers. Let’s debunk.

Filed Under: Self-Publishing, Writing & Editing

The Unexpected Story: When memoir becomes a different book

By Belinda Pollard 3 Comments

In 20+ years as an editor, I’ve seen this phenomenon again and again: a memoir or personal story has turned into a different book by the time the writer is finished. If your memoir is “turning on you”, don’t feel you must cling to your original purpose. You might be surprised where that feisty little book takes you.

Filed Under: Memoir & Personal Story, Self-Editing, Writing & Editing

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