Character development, or characterization, involves a lot of psychology, IMHO. Filling out character sheets lends itself to very stereotypical presentations. Joe Friday’s “just the facts, ma’am” comes to mind when I see them. They even look like rap sheets, IMHO – very off-putting. If you want full-bodied characters, you can’t boil them down to wordsContinueContinue reading “Recommended Reads: Characters”
Category Archives: books
Recommended Reads: Plotting
I’ve been doing a great deal of developmental editing lately and that entails often pointing writers to examples or books that discuss strategies for whatever they’re struggling with. I thought I would share a few of my go-to reads for various kinds of writing help. Help for structuring your plot You know all the partsContinueContinue reading “Recommended Reads: Plotting”
Formatting
Just a quick hit today, that hopefully will be a popular post for people to return to again and again. Q: How do I format my writing for an editor, agent, or publisher? First, understand that an editor, agent, or publisher is going to be working on your manuscript to make improvements. Manuscript format forContinueContinue reading “Formatting”
Congratulations 2
Another wonderful bit of news from an editing client – and writing friend. Julie Ranson has accepted a contract with The Wild Rose Press to publish She Danced Anyway, an historical (1920s) women’s fiction novel. In 1920s New York, Elizabeth, 22, has just graduated college — without an “m-r-s” degree, much to her mother’s dismay.ContinueContinue reading “Congratulations 2”
Congratulations
I am always pleased to help out a new author with their story. I do manuscript evaluations and developmental edits. Back in 2022, I helped out a lovely person by evaluating the manuscript of their first cozy lesbian mystery. Today, I learned that she’s gotten it picked up by a publisher and now has aContinueContinue reading “Congratulations”
client releases
2023’s first quarter has been very busy with editing, but I do have a couple client publications to announce. Popular sci-fi romance author Ami Wright has launched a new series co-written with Maddie Syn: Fated Mates of the Qol’rakii. The first two books in the series, The Alien Protector’s Lady and The Alien Protector’s SunshineContinueContinue reading “client releases”
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”
21!
Photo by Dom J on Pexels.com I’m putting down the pen a moment to note something. I have been the editor of 21 books published so far this year! By far, my most prolific client is Ami Wright, an author of sci-fi fantasy romances. But you’ll find women’s fiction by Annie M. Ballard, Christian fictionContinueContinue reading “21!”
recent (client) releases
All of my clients are indie authors, and as their editor I do like to help them spread the word of their books. You’ll find I’ve updated my client books pages with several new titles: Married to the Interstellar Colonist. This is author Ami Wright’s sixth, and final, book in The Lost Romans science fictionContinueContinue reading “recent (client) releases”
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