by Susan Lovett | May 10, 2016 | For Writers |
I’ve struggled with the second part of my ways to avoid annoying editors series, mostly because the things that tend to annoy editors (okay, me) are difficult to write about without sounding harsh. I kept trying to couch my comments to be nicer, but in the end decided that telling the truth was more important. It is better to hear about them before you submit than after. So take this advice for what it is: tips to get better so your work is accepted instead of rejected.
by Susan Lovett | Apr 22, 2016 | For Writers |
How? By doing one simple thing. It’s easy. Trust me. I’m going to share one of my biggest irritations as a writer/editor—extra spaces.
Yes, you heard me correctly. I dislike extra spaces, specifically the ones that appear after a period.
I spent today editing materials for a client who clings to old habits and here is what I told him:
by Susan Lovett | Apr 13, 2016 | For Writers |
What I carry in my bag to keep writing on the go. What do you need to carry?
by Susan Lovett | Mar 14, 2016 | Editing |
I am often asked to critique my friends’ work. I consider it an occupational hazard.
While I don’t mind doing critiques, they do present a few challenges and I always proceed with caution. This is especially true with new and unpublished writers, although it’s tricky with anyone who does not know my critique style. The last thing I want is to alienate another writer or come off as harsh, but I admit I have been blamed of that in the past. The problem is that what I consider a constructive critique (one that I ask for myself) is more detailed and direct than most writers want.
by Susan Lovett | Mar 4, 2016 | Blog |
Every head in the coffee house followed intently two firefighters who ran off before placing their order. A call had come through and they booked, taking with them the focus of every set of eyes in the place.
As a group, we watched while they pulled on their turnout gear, climbed in the rig and took off down the street. Minutes later we all looked up as a companion truck roared down the street.
Fifteen of us were riveted to the spectacle.
It made me wonder how to write characters that draw that much attention.
by Susan Lovett | Feb 18, 2016 | Blog |
This past weekend I went to a bookstore with my family and browsed for longer than they wanted and not as much as I did. As we were leaving, my son asked whether I had enjoyed my playdate. It made me pause for a moment, but I could not refute the basic sentiment. My friends are found within the pages of the books I love and, frankly, the ones I am still flirting with on the not-read-yet shelf. This is not to say I don’t have real, flesh-and-blood friends, but the ones who live on the page are among my favorite. I cannot lie.
I am a somewhat typical writer/reader, I think. Somewhat a recluse, though not completely. The condition is not even self-diagnosed. I have proof. On the Myers-Briggs test, which I have taken three times in my life, I have consistently scored 49 out of 50 as an introvert.
I am not a social creature. At least not with the living. But in the world of fiction, I am gregarious, open and a traveler of worlds. I am bold and engaged.
My fictional friends are constant and true. They have seen me through childhood, tumultuous teen years, young adulthood and whatever you want to call where I am now. I am certain they will be there through my golden years too. It is the gift all readers receive. Friends for life. No matter what.
It is also a gift given by writers.
by Susan Lovett | Feb 3, 2016 | Editing |
There is nothing worse than sending out something you have written only to spot errors in it afterward. Those tiny errors haunt and are the reason why proofreading is an essential step. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve written an email, presentation or novel. You need it to be error-free.
Think of your poor readers. You don’t want them stumbling on your poor punctuation, misspelled words or clumsy construction.
The problem is that proofreading requires a shift from the creative writing mode into a detailed perfectionist state. It requires different skills than writing does, but is most often performed by writers on their own work. It is a circumstance rife with peril. Writers are least likely to see their own errors. Our eyes gloss over missing words and punctuations because our minds see what we meant to write. Unfortunately, it is not always possible or feasible to hire a professional proofreader or con someone else to read our work before hitting the send button.
The only solution is to do our best. Here are my top 15 tricks to help you find pesky errors in your work and someone else’s work:
by Susan Lovett | Jan 20, 2016 | For Writers |
Each new year is an opportunity to begin again. It’s a fresh start. A renewal. Whether you make resolutions or not, I encourage you to take stock and recommit to your writing by embracing these 14 habits:
Write Daily
I can already hear your protests and excuses. Every day? What about weekends? Yes, daily. Whether you take off weekends is up to you, but starting out, I suggest writing daily if you want to hone your craft. It takes time to find your voice as a writer and that only comes with practice and time at the keyboard. So pick up a pen or start tapping away. The more you write, the better you will be.
Stop Talking About It
Stop telling everyone about your novel and write it. The more you share your story idea, the less motivation you will have to put it on the page. Use that desire to share your characters to put more words on the page. Don’t waste them chatting with every random person you meet. Write it instead.
by Susan Lovett | Jan 13, 2016 | Blog |
It’s a new year and a new opportunity to write and read.
I have been adding to my to-read pile throughout the holidays and it is now so large I don’t know where to begin. There are more than 600 books on the so-called “short” list of what I want to read this year and that doesn’t account for new releases that will appeal to me. It is insane. There is no way I can hope to read a quarter of that, much less all of it.
by Susan Lovett | Jan 7, 2016 | Blog |
Every new year I set writing goals. They aren’t lofty, but I take a moment to recommit to writing. Making an official resolution makes me feel more dedicated.
This year, I have set a goal of writing daily.
Now when I say daily, I mean every business day. I’ve always wondered when other authors say they write daily, if they mean 365 days a year. This seems a bit ambitious and overeager to me. I know I would burn out if I tried to maintain that schedule. I need those down days to let ideas percolate and feed my imagination.
by Susan Lovett | Dec 21, 2015 | Blog |
It has been a busy season around here and I have been struggling to finish projects and get into the holiday spirit. Instead of baking gingerbread houses, I have been crunching deadlines and running errands like a crazy woman.
We finally got our tree up and decided that we needed to do something to find the spark that was eluding us. Hanging the stockings just wasn’t getting us there. So we did something that never fails: we turned to a book. Well, books. But not just any books–picture books.
by Susan Lovett | Nov 24, 2015 | Blog |
My thanks are overflowing this year, as it is most years. I am thankful for my family, my friends and words. Yes, words. I love how they come packaged in stories and books. I love how they change and combine. I love that they have nuance and texture.
This Thanksgiving I am committing a few words of thanks for the things I love the most and sharing some of my favorites:
