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Resources

Editing Software for Writers

Editing software for writers should be part of every author’s toolbox. While there many available, one we highly recommend is ProWritingAid. ProWritingAid is an excellent resource because it integrates with Microsoft Word, Open Office, and Google Docs. There is no reason to copy and paste. Works with Scrivener We’ve worked on several projects for full-length novels written in Scrivener, another of our favorite writing tools. When it was time to revise and edit the first draft, ProWritingAid worked extremely well. We were able to open the Scrivener manuscript using the ProWritingAid’s Desktop App. Consequently, it was absolutely time saving to edit right from where the story was written. Again, no need to copy and paste. Editing software is like an editor in a box This editing software is like having a personal editor in a box. With a click of a button it highlights spelling mistakes, overused words, and finds…

Resources

What About “Show Don’t Tell”

What about “Show Don’t Tell” don’t you understand? This question was posed to a group of writers during a writers conference. Their answer? “Everything.” It’s a concept that is easier said than done, and by the writer’s emphatic response this statement is more true today than ever before. This was clearly the case for our conference goers who said they were as bewildered about the subject as they ever were; even after the conference workshop. Why the lingering misunderstanding? Resources, such as books, blog articles, and courses are abundant on the Internet and in local area bookstores. So, why is there a lingering misunderstanding about showing versus telling? One answer might be there is a disconnect between the theory and the practical knowledge. Practical knowledge helps a writer identify, and avoid, when they are telling in their writing. Another answer could be the writer’s limited writing experience is at fault. Either…

Write

The Secret Life of the Writer’s Voice

MJP Editor August 20 courage to write overcome the negative procrastination rewrite the script what you believe matters writer's life writer's voice

The secret life of the writer’s voice is one of the strongest influences in an author’s work. What is the secret life of the writer’s voice? Most, if not all, writers have it. Or at least have experienced it. Not everyone talks openly about the voice that controls their level of confidence as a writer. They don’t discuss what it says about their chances of success. Nonetheless, silent arguments abound over why they should or shouldn’t share their story, and often affect what appears on the written page. The struggle is real. Writers often keep that internal voice a secret or private from others. They are afraid of how much power it holds over their work. One messenger, many messages That writer’s voice is but one messenger with many messages. “Your writing isn’t good enough. No one will want to read your book. What makes you think you can write?…

Promote

Building Your Author Platform Part 1

MJP Writer April 8 author brand author platform building your author platform personal value proposition starting your author platform

Building your author platform from scratch can be so overwhelming that many writers avoid the subject altogether. Typically, this is due to not knowing how to approach the task, or knowing where to start. In some ways it feels similar to staring at a blank page when you start a new story; four hours later you still have no idea how to begin. It’s frustrating. But here’s the thing; like beginning a story…everyone starts somewhere. Once you know where that somewhere is…well it becomes easier to move forward and achieve your goal. Importance of Building Your Author Platform Recognizing the importance of your platform is critical to anything that comes next. Let’s face it; in today’s market if you don’t have an author platform you have little chance of catching the attention of a traditional publisher. Also, if you self-publish, making enough sales from your book to sustain your writing…