Writing is a unique journey, and every writer has their own style. Some meticulously plan every detail, while others embrace spontaneity and write "by the seat of their pants." As an editor who has worked with both types, I've come to appreciate the strengths and challenges each style includes. In this blog, we'll explore the [...]
Last year, I had the pleasure of listening to several audiobooks from some amazing writers, several of who provided excellent creative writing advice. In today’s blog, I want to highlight some of the best creative writing tips and techniques from the book Creative Quest, by the very talented Questlove. Why is Creativity Important? According to Questlove It [...]
What Does it Cost to Self-Publish a Book? As an editor with more than ten years of experience, I can’t tell you how many times writers have asked me, “What does it cost to self-publish a book?” Although it seems like a straightforward enough question, the simplest answer is “It varies,” but writers are seldom [...]
Has someone recommended that you look into getting a “beta reader” or “sensitivity reader”? You may not realize initially, but they are both types of beta readers that focus on different things in your writing. If you’re wondering what they are and why they’re helpful, the short answer is that they make your book better. [...]
You may have heard that there's no wrong way to write a book. When you make the goal to write, first draft jitters can easily get in the way, and without a plan or solid options for your process, you won't know what's right or wrong. Many pieces of advice for finishing your book first [...]
As a blog for writers and editors that generally focuses on how words are put together in a text, we don't usually discuss much about book cover design, unless we're talking about back covers and what goes on them. But today, let’s talk about front cover design. I recently stumbled on Book Brush, and I have found [...]
“Write the truest sentence you know.” Then do it again. One sentence at a time, you write your story. Classic authors knew that there was nothing like capturing and keeping a reader’s attention, and titan in the literary world, Ernest Hemingway, knew and performed this trick better than most. Known for his concise, powerful prose, [...]
As a writing and editing professional, editor Cortni Merritt is sometimes asked to consult and collaborate on a variety of academic, technical, and business writing projects in addition to her projects with SRD Editing Services as a member of other groups not associated with SRD Editing Services. Recently she was honored by the request to [...]
Wondering how to write a back cover blurb for your book? Especially if you’re venturing into self-publishing, this can be a sticky and even controversial topic. You are not alone as a self-published writer wondering what makes the best back cover copy for your book. Self-published authors grapple with this every day, working to create [...]
Lessons on Life from a TV Writer Earlier this year, I listened to the audiobook for Shonda Rhimes's Year of Yes, a successful and interesting TV writer with decades of experience (if you don’t know who she is.) In this mix of memoir and self-help advice, both funny and touching, Rhimes shares her wisdom about [...]