Lara Zielinsky

Describing character: gain perspective

Listen to this post and more on Spotify or Anchor.fm You, dear writer, have all those wonderful character sheets filled out with demographics: Jamie Dotter is, 29, 5’11”, blonde, Nordic features, muscular build, college degree from Wellsley College, law degree from Harvard, in her fourth year working as a lawyer with Grant, Hardy, and Iglesias,ContinueContinue reading “Describing character: gain perspective”

Scene building using goals

Listen to this blog on Spotify. I previously discussed the structure of a scene is based around conflict and overcoming it. But conflict and obstacles comes in many forms. They can be as simple as encountering a child’s fallen toy on the floor while crossing the room. What really guides the scene and makes itContinueContinue reading “Scene building using goals”

2022 Roundup

Twelve months ago I wrote a wish list for 2022 as part of my closure for 2021. Though it took until the very last days of 2022, I managed to accomplish nearly all of the items on the list – none so completely as the goals for truly establishing my business, LZ Edits. Formalized withContinueContinue reading “2022 Roundup”

Self-Editing Guide is live!

It’s alive! Available now in Paperback or Ebook, Self-Editing Guide: A workbook for the DIY fiction author, is now available. Proof prints have been checked, and the “publish” button has been pushed. Just in time, I hope, for the NaNoWriMo authors all ready to dive into their manuscripts from November and turn them into theirContinueContinue reading “Self-Editing Guide is live!”

Structuring a Scene

Listen to this blog post on Spotify. The scene is the basic building block of any story. It contains actions and reactions, and dialogue (inner and outer). A scene has ONE point of view, and takes place (with few exceptions) while the POV character moves within a single setting. On TikTok, I posted an overviewContinueContinue reading “Structuring a Scene”

TikTok Tips

I have launched a TikTok for 2023. I plan to share pithy 2-3 minute tips about writing or editing fiction. My first video is a remastered clip from a 2021 workshop, encouraging writers to write first, market later. @lz_editsfl For my first video, a PSA from #editor to #writer: write YOUR story #writeItDown ♬ originalContinueContinue reading “TikTok Tips”

Past vs Present tense

This is a post about tense. There’s a rising prevalence of first person, present tense stories, and I wanted to see if it was just my perception or if more people were writing in present tense. So, on Mastodon, I started a poll – the thread that followed was also very informative. Photo by PixabayContinueContinue reading “Past vs Present tense”

A Workbook for Writers

Spotify audio of this blog post can be heard here. This is my “making of a book” blog post… 2023 by Lara Zielinsky As the year counts down its last days, I am finalizing the layout for what I hope will be a handy guide to do-it-yourself authors in reviewing and revising the structure ofContinueContinue reading “A Workbook for Writers”

2023 reservations open

As you finish 2022, you may be looking into your 2023 calendar to schedule publication. If you are here, you probably have a feeling you should employ an editor. I’d like to suggest why you should choose me to edit your story or novel. contact me Why have an editor? To captivate a reader andContinueContinue reading “2023 reservations open”