I was closing up my business books for the year and decided to practice a little marketing. I created a video of the some of the books that I edited in 2025 that were also published in 2025. This video (hosted on Canva) represents only about the first 8-9 months of the year. My otherContinueContinue reading “2025 Year in Review”
Category Archives: newsletter
Pronouns
Editing Availability update: My earliest availability is January and February 2026. A short project or two might fit in October, but that’s something I have to decide on a case-by-case basis. So if you’re looking and want to get a quote or sample edit, contact me for a 30-minute Zoom discussion here. Now for thisContinueContinue reading “Pronouns”
Adding Layers
“Ogres have layers.” ~ Shrek Story characters should have layers. Some details are revealed only in gut-wrenching moments with another character as they let their walls down, and others are never revealed to other characters, but drive motivation throughout the story. You will probably not get all layers into your first/zero draft. Here’s how toContinueContinue reading “Adding Layers”
Self-Editing Part 2
Last month, I began to discuss how you can approach editing your own story with four tasks. Today’s discuss will pick up where that left off. You addressed what you saw as issues with the story’s structure. You now have to start turning your manuscript into something that readers expect when they read in thisContinueContinue reading “Self-Editing Part 2”
Irreplaceable Characters
What made me think about this column is the surfeit of remakes that regularly roll through movies and TV executive offices. And are occasionally exercised in fandoms. I had to put my foot down in a recent discussion that there was no way to remake one particular 1980s TV show because it was so utterlyContinueContinue reading “Irreplaceable Characters”
November 2024
Here’s November’s actual newsletter. Thank you for your indulgence with my special notice last week. ~ LZ Writing Advice Photo by Dom J on Pexels.com If you are Nano-ing, happy writing! This month’s advice is about what to consider when you’re writing. This may help you get more words down in your writing sprints. ForContinueContinue reading “November 2024”
Special offer for 2025
This is not replacing the regular November newsletter. I had something I felt I needed to do. Feel free to share this post to your social connections. ~ LZ Special offer (contest) for 2025 After processing the US election results for the last few days, I have decided I need to take some action. DoContinueContinue reading “Special offer for 2025”
October 2024
Sections Writing Advice Editing Advice Service Availability Writing Advice Preptober! A lot of writers challenge themselves to write 50,000 words in the month of November. While the official NNWM has had some problematic issues, trying to write a novel by focusing on “butt in chair” and getting the words down is a valid first draftContinueContinue reading “October 2024”
September 2024
Sections Writing Advice Editing Advice Service Availability Writing Advice Last month, we talked about how to build your story’s ending from your character’s wound and assuaging their fears or the Lie they’ve been telling themselves all this time. There’s a concept called “mirroring” that will make your story resonate with readers. The psychology of theContinueContinue reading “September 2024”
August 2024
Sections Writing Advice Editing Advice Service Availability Writing Advice Last month, we talked about rewards and turning points in your story plot. This character development will drive your story toward the end as the character takes this new understanding and alters their plans. They have finally seen the toxic things, the bad influences, and theContinueContinue reading “August 2024”
