The only just literary critic is Christ, who admires more than does any man, the gifts He Himself has bestowed. – JRR Tolkien

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Story Editing Tips

Do You Need to Avoid Clichés?

How Cliché is Using Clichés in Your Writing?

Are you using too many cliches in your writing? Do you need to avoid cliches?

Rewriting and Revising Before You Edit

How Many Manuscript Drafts Should You Go Through?

How many times should you revise and rewrite your book? What should I do about editing my manuscript?

When working on a book of any kind, if you haven’t gone through a minimum of three drafts, you probably don’t have a finished product.

The first draft should be… Continue reading

Edit Your Book

Why You Should Edit Before You Send to An Editor

Editing your book - what's the point of editing before sending to an editor? Does a book editor charge extra if my work is bad?

Whether you’re publishing your book yourself, sending to an agent, or to a publisher follow these important tips.

When you’re getting ready to send your manuscript off, always… Continue reading

Fine Tuning Your Manuscript – Part Three

Engage Your Characters in Their Setting

How to make your characters engage and interact in their surroundings and create real a world setting in your book.

When you’re characters interact through dialogue, make them interact as well with their surroundings.

There should be a continual interplay of character and setting. Examine your dialogue sections to ensure they don’t… Continue reading

Fine Tuning Your Manuscript – Part Two

The Three S's - Scene, Setting, and Senses

How to know if your book novel manuscript is ready to be published or sent to an agent.

Stories don’t occur in a bubble.

They have to be set in a real and believable place. And what makes a scene or setting, is detail.

And what makes the… Continue reading

Fine Tuning Your Manuscript – Part One

You've Written "The End" - But Is Your Book Ready?

How to fine-tune your book's manuscript before you send to an editor, agent, or publish - how to make your novel is the best it can be

Okay, so you’ve finally reached the magic words, The End.

But is it really?

Are you done?

Have you really finished your book?

Chances are, you haven’t.… Continue reading

Simple Steps to Editing Success

Editing Your Final Draft

Why you should edit your manuscript before sending to an editor or beta readers.

Whether you’re self-publishing your book, sending to an editor, or to a publishing company — ideally you want to send your ultimate best work — even if you’re having someone else edit it for… Continue reading