Here’s a pop quiz. Read the phrases and sentences below. What is the common denominator? If you identified these as cliches, you’re correct. Cliches are overused phrases that have lost their fresh, metaphoric power. A sign that your mind is either tired or underconfident is an abundance of these littering your writing. Readers will start …
I think a lot of people believe that when writing spills out of you that it becomes its own separate entity. You might clean it up with some light grammatical editing, but the way it came out is the best way that it should be. This is not strictly true. Working with your text does …
What are some ways you can organize your writing so that you spend more time writing? Here are some practical tips. Tip 1: capture & organize your thoughts Get your thoughts out of your head and on paper where you can instantly access them. This can be done several ways. Some writers have a dedicated …
Imagine you’ve completed your first draft to a significant piece of writing. Maybe you’ve finally written that novel. Maybe you’re writing a column for a prestigious magazine or local newspaper. Maybe you’re writing an important blog post that will (hopefully) drive more traffic to your business. Whatever the cause, you have your first draft sitting …
Pronouns, by definition, replace a noun or subject. Instead of saying Sadie sits down to write content for business owner clients, you could say she sits down to write content for them. Pronouns make your writing sound less redundant – no need to repeat a noun (person, place, thing, or idea which is materially engaging …
Pronouns: what are they, and how do you use them? Read More »
You’ve had your manuscript edited by a professional developmental manuscript editor; now you’re ready to submit to publishers. But they want a (*checks notes*) query letter? Here’s how to write one. First, know your genre, and research publishers who are currently accepting manuscripts in that genre. Like the vast majority of business letters, ensure your …
How to write a kick-ass query letter which publishers will want to read Read More »
Yes, Southern Ambition works with authors whether I’m developing the manuscript alongside you to keep you motivated with accountability and creative exercises or to edit your completed manuscript. But here’s how you find the perfect editor for your book. What is a manuscript editor? What do they do? And why is it worth your money? …
