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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Editing - Story Tips - Publishing

How to write a query letter to submissions editor or literary agent - get a free query letter template.

How to Write a Query Letter – Free Template

Query Letters Are Easier Than You Think! When you’ve spent a lot of time on your book and then you’re ready to submit to an agent, writing a query letter can seem as if it’s more difficult than the book itself. Most authors fret more about their literary agent query letter than their manuscript –...

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

Simple Steps to Editing Success

Editing Your Final Draft 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 you prior to publishing. I have done a lot of editing. Editors are people too — just...

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How do I write a synopsis for my book?

What is a Synopsis and How Do I Write One?

How do I write a synopsis for my book? At its most fundamental level, a synopsis answers the question: What is this book about? A synopsis should cover (in abbreviated form) all the major points of your book in sequential order from beginningto end. In a work of fiction, you’ll want to cover all the...

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How to use different points of view in your novel manuscript for fiction.

What is the Best Point of View to Use in Fiction?

Benefits and Drawbacks of Each POV in Your MS As a beginning writer who chose to write my first book in first-person narrative, I discovered the drawbacks of such an approach the hard way. Halfway through the book, I started all over in third-person – something I wouldn’t recommend. Briefly, Point of View – when...

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

Fine Tuning Your Manuscript – Part Three

Engage Your Characters in Their Setting 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 just take place in a vacuum. What are your characters holding in their hands? If they’re not...

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How can a writer use cliches? Check out awesome ideas for how to make cliches your writing friend!

Clichés – How Can You Use Them?

Clichés – Enemy? Or Friend? Every time I turn on the television or pick up a new book at the bookstore, I see yet another cliché or variation on a cliché, and I roll my eyes. “Again?” I say. “Geez! Is everybody these days so lacking in imagination, so devoid of creative talent, that they...

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Should I use sentence fragments in my book manuscript? Is this bad writing or style?

Sentence Fragments – Stylistic Choice?

Should I Use Sentence Fragments? Sentence fragments. Who cares? You? Me? Anyone? Depends. Writing nonfiction? Probably wouldn’t. Work, that is. Writing fiction? Could be. Depends. On what? Style. With some authors? Might work. Others? Not so much. A hundred years ago? Wouldn’t have been acceptable. Writing fragments, that is. Too formal back then. Long run-on...

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

Fine Tuning Your Manuscript – Part Two

The Three S’s – Scene, Setting, and Senses 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 details, is work. Hard work. A lot of time and effort, in other words. Settings aren’t just...

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