I have completed my second review of Into the Fire. In this chapter, a chambermaid’s car breaks down on her way back home. What could possibly go wrong when the sun sets?
There were 216 modifications made to this 7 page chapter. Overall, this revision concentrated on improving the chapter’s readability. Several modifications were related to formatting and maintaining consistency.
Both Google Docs and Wattpad have the revised edition. Note that the Google Docs version permits comments and revisions, feel free to make use of this capability.
How to format your manuscript for print on Microsoft Word and not rip your hair out!
Microsoft Word, like most user-friendly software attempts to make your life easier by making assumptions. When using Microsoft Word‘s more advanced features, you may encounter annoying side-effects. In other cases, the application’s resistance to doing what you ask may have you ripping your hair out.
This tutorial focuses on such behaviours observed when working on manuscripts with of Microsoft Word. More specifically, the following subjects are detailed:
I have completed my second review of The Virgin Goddess of the Hunt. In this chapter, a group of mobsters decides to lean on the Grand and discover what happens when guests have a chance to play. John is also involved in a break-and-enter.
There were 486 modifications made to this 17 page chapter. Overall, this revision concentrated on improving the chapter’s readability. Several modifications were related to formatting and maintaining consistency.
Both Google Docs and Wattpad have the revised edition. Note that the Google Docs version permits comments and revisions, feel free to make use of this capability.
A friend passed on this Writers Digest article about 6 Hard Truths Every Writer Should Accept and mentioned there should be a seventh. For them —you’re not half as awesome as you think you are— is a lesson all authors need to know.
Your husband, mother, sister, best friend, co-worker or the neighbour who is a high school English teacher does not qualify as a critique partner.
Your journey will not be the same journey as your peers.
Being good isn’t good enough.
Pay your dues.
Personally, I do not agree with a couple of the points made.
Pay your dues
In all industries there are people that are so well connected or at the right place and time that success is immediate. For some people, easy is the only path they follow since they have never tasted hard.
Sure there are always challenges, since those are inevitable in life. However, one cannot help but wonder if some people are playing the game of life on easy, while others are on nightmare mode.
Now should we plan on such an outcome? Hell no! But it’s not a universal truth.
Your husband, mother, sister, best friend, co-worker or the neighbour who is a high school English teacher does not qualify as a critique partner.
I disagree with using people to critique who are not writers. We all have a voice and it may click well readers (those who buy) and not other authors. Another author may be experienced in writing a novel, but not work for what you have in mind. Again these are not universal truths.
A good example of this I found while reading a National Post article titled Why America’s greatest humorist was Mark Twain in public and Samuel Clemens in private. A quote from the article makes my point:
He (Twain) thought little of George Eliot or Henry James, two novelists still considered first-class, but he often praised the books of his friend William Dean Howells, who is now nearly forgotten.
Mark Twain was an icon who had tapped into the nerve of the literary public and yet denounced authors who made it. It could have been personal, it could have been style, but his praise or scorn did not determine their place in history.
My friend commented that there are folks out there who are well schooled in certain genres and are willing to beta-read. It could be just a matter of it being a hobby or even their passion. Getting another writer you are chummy with is also asking for trouble, since its like asking a friend to say —tell me I’m brilliant.— That may not be your intention, but that’s how they will probably take it.
You’re Not Half as Awesome as You Think You Are
Likely one of the most poignant truths any author can discover. However, this particular author may have assumed that such revelations need to be made by the author.
According to poynter.org, the Associated Press editors have decided that Internet and Web shall no longer be capitalised. They have recently updated their style guide and felt that these words were now generic. Their decision was also closely aligned with a growing tend to leave them all lower-cased. Agree? Disagree?
AP Style alert: Don’t capitalize internet and web anymore on poynter.org
Personally, I disagree. Normally words become generic when they are applied to other brands of the same product. Xerox, Kleenex and Jell-O are notable examples of this, their trademarks became commonly used terms.
Does this apply to the Internet? When you sign up through your local provider do you subscribe to an internet or the Internet? Do you have a choice? Are there multiple global interconnected networks that are ubiquitous? I know of none, do you?
To me, it makes senses that Internet remain capitalised since it is an entity. We may not think of it and many have no idea how it works, but does that matter? Either way, what is done is done!
Though this should provide more ammunition to Grammar Nazis! The horror!
I have completed my second review of One Flight Over. A story which revolves around Edward Locke and his complicity with the events surrounding the hotel. John also meets up with Eleanor and leaves him baffled yet again.
There were 370 modifications made to this 11 page chapter. Overall, this revision concentrated on improving the chapter’s readability. Several modifications were related to formatting and maintaining consistency.
Both Google Docs and Wattpad have the revised edition. Note that the Google Docs version permits comments and revisions, feel free to make use of this capability.
Pâté chinois is a French Canadian dish similar to Shepherd’s Pie. It is made from layered ground beef, canned cream corn, and mashed potatoes on top. This recipe infuses the dish with garlic.
Pâté chinois is not Chinese cuisine. One theory is that the dish was introduced to railway workers by Chinese cooks while they built the railroads.
I have completed my second review of The Mad Hatter’s Mirror. A story which focuses on a young man involved a traumatic event then explores the effects it had on his psyche.
There were 336 modifications made to this 10 page chapter. Overall, this revision concentrated on improving the chapter’s readability. Several modifications were related to formatting and maintaining consistency.
Both Google Docs and Wattpad have the revised edition. Note that the Google Docs version permits comments and revisions, feel free to make use of this capability.
Pouding Chômeur is said to be a French Canadian dessert introduced during the Great Depression. This dish is easy to make, requires few ingredients, and suits those with a sweet tooth. It’s excellent when served with a portion of vanilla ice cream.
I have completed my second review of The Cheshire Cat’s Grin. A story which the focuses on a young flapper who falls for the wrong man.
There were 188 modifications made to this 5 page chapter. Overall, this revision concentrated on improving the chapter’s readability. Several modifications were related to formatting and maintaining consistency.
Both Google Docs and Wattpad display the revised edition. Note that the Google Docs version permits comments and revisions, feel free to make use of this capability.
