Join the Conversation: Weekly Blogging and Life Discussions on Tell Me Something Tuesday

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.

I've been blogging for well over a decade. In fact, my very first blog post went live on February 21, 2012. So, that's what? 11 years! My first post was titled: It Only Took Me 32 Years To Figure Out What I Wanted To Do With My Life. This post essentially kicked off my official writing career. It was at this point that I knew I wanted to really pursue this as a career and not something I just did for fun. 

And yes, my blog has changed a lot over the years. At first, I'd just write what was on my mind and share it. Then, I slowly learned more about this platform, the cool things I could do with it, the ability to add graphics, etc. As I evolved as an author, too, the layout has changed quite a bit. I'm satisfied with how it is right now, so I don't have any plans to change it again anytime soon. But that might change in the future ;)

What about you? Are you a blogger? How long have you been at it? Feel free to share a link in the comments to the first post you ever published. 

10 Essential Self-Editing Tips to Streamline Your Novel for Success

Congratulations! You've just finished writing your novel. That's a huge accomplishment. But you're nowhere close to done yet. Because now comes the editing... And yes, you do need to edit your book. Some authors will hire a freelance editor, and that's okay, but you don't have to. At least, not as a first step. First, you can (and should) self-edit your novel. 

I know, cutting your novel down to a manageable level can be daunting. What should you look for? Where do you start? Well, lucky for you, I've compiled 10 tips for self-editing your novel! 

1. Do Large Cuts First

Full Chapters: Begin by evaluating entire chapters. Look for those that are slow, unnecessary, or don't move the plot along. Starting your story later can often eliminate earlier chapters full of backstory. By cutting or combining such chapters, you can make your narrative more engaging and concise. 

Minor Characters: Review your cast of characters. Minor characters that do not significantly contribute to the plot can often be merged with more central characters. This consolidation can streamline your story and make it more cohesive.

Sub-plots: Analyze your sub-plots and determine their importance to the overall theme or plot. If a sub-plot is not essential, consider cutting it. This can help focus the reader’s attention on the main storyline.

2. Paragraphs & Scenes

Redundant Scenes: Identify and eliminate redundant scenes. If you have multiple scenes that serve the same purpose, choose the strongest one and cut the rest. Alternatively, you can combine elements from redundant scenes into a single, more effective scene.

Repetitive Narrative/Dialogue: Avoid repeating information. If you've conveyed something once, there’s no need to reiterate it. Trust your readers to remember key details and focus on keeping the narrative moving forward.

3. Sentence by Sentence & Word by Word

Unnecessary Words: Words like that, just, so, very, etc. often clutter your writing without adding meaning. Review your manuscript to remove these filler words.

Dialogue Tags: Cut as many dialogue tags as possible. If it's clear who is speaking, you don’t need to tag every line of dialogue. This can make conversations flow more naturally. Instead, use an action to help bring your writing to life.

Simple Words: Don’t shy away from using simple words. For example, "instantly" is often more effective than a phrase like "without another thought." Clear and direct language keeps your writing sharp and engaging.

Details: Resist the urge to provide every little detail. Readers enjoy filling in some blanks with their imagination. Focus on painting broad strokes and let your readers connect the dots. This goes for actions, too. You don't need to explain every little action your character does. 

4. Take Breaks Between Editing Sessions

Editing can be mentally exhausting. Limit your editing sessions to an hour or an hour and a half at a time. Get up and stretch, take a walk, grab a snack, drink some water. This ensures you stay sharp and don’t start making careless mistakes due to fatigue.

5. Edit by Hand

Print out your manuscript and edit it by hand using a red pen. This can help you see your work from a different perspective and catch mistakes you might have missed on the screen. The tactile experience of writing can also slow you down, giving you more time to consider each change.

6. Get Feedback

After you’ve done your initial edits, give your manuscript to someone you trust. Fresh eyes can spot issues you might have overlooked. When you get their feedback, make another round of cuts yourself. This process ensures thorough editing.

7. Keep a Notebook Handy

Keep a notebook next to your computer to jot down notes and ideas as you edit. This can be invaluable for tracking thoughts that come up during the process and can help you organize your revisions. 

8. Be Open to Adding Scenes

Sometimes cutting content can create gaps or lead to confusion. Don’t be afraid to add scenes to clarify or compensate for cuts. However, always keep your goal in mind: reducing word count while enhancing the narrative’s clarity and impact.

9. Focus on Pacing

Ensure your story maintains a good pace. If sections drag, look for ways to tighten them. Longer chapters are great for emotional or heavier scenes, whereas shorter chapters help increase intensity. Fast-paced, engaging writing keeps readers hooked and makes your book more enjoyable.

10. Consistency Check

Finally, do a thorough consistency check. Ensure that characters' names, locations, and timelines remain consistent throughout the story. Inconsistencies can confuse readers and disrupt the flow of your narrative. Creating and using a series Bible or spreadsheet to keep track of key details can be helpful. 

Self-editing is a crucial part of the writing process. By starting with large cuts and gradually focusing on finer details, you can significantly improve your manuscript. Remember to take breaks, seek feedback, and keep your goal of reducing word count in mind. With patience and diligence, you can transform your novel into a polished and engaging story.

What tips and tricks do you have for self-editing?

Join the Conversation: Exploring Musical Talents in the Tell Me Something Tuesday Series

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.

Does blaring the radio and singing very loudly off-key while driving count? If not, then no--I have absolutely no musical talent. I love listening to music and going to concerts, and I always have a playlist for each of my books, but I've never been that interested in learning to play an instrument myself. My daughter, however, did play the flute for a few years in school, and she was quite good at it. 

What about you? Do you have any musical talents?

Kara's Book Cravings: Fright Night

 

This is the final Maren Stoffels book I have, and as far as I can tell, I've now read her entire catalog. I'm a little sad about that, but I'll be on the lookout for any new books she publishes. 

So, FRIGHT NIGHT is my absolutely favorite Maren Stoffels book. Another YA thriller, this one takes place in the woods during an event known as fright night. It's an event teens pay to attend that's part haunted trail and part Fear Factor. Each team has to walk through the woods at night, without the aid of any cell phones, and each member of the team has to face their greatest fears. 

Of course, as the story progresses, the fears get more intense, and then things really go horribly wrong. The bad guys show up and wreak havoc. 

This book does have some darker content that ties into everything at the end, but I can't say what because it really will spoil the twist ending. I will say that it dives a bit into child abuse, so fair warning about that. It's not graphic though, but it's very clear what's happening.  As uncomfortable as that topic is, it works very well within the context of this story and how it forms the basis for certain characters actions and motivations. 

Have you read this one yet? 

Do you know of any other books with a similar setting? 

Mastering Narrative Writing: Essential Dos and Don'ts to Avoid Common Pitfalls

Writing a compelling narrative involves more than just stringing words together to tell a story. It requires careful consideration of language, structure, and style. As an editor, I see a lot of mistakes in manuscripts, most of them are repeated by multiple authors across multiple genres. So I thought it might be helpful to share some of the most common errors I see and how to fix them. 

The overuse of "had" often indicates unnecessary or unintentional flashbacks. When overused, it can become repetitive and monotonous, disrupting the flow of your narrative. To avoid this, rid your manuscript (MS) of excessive "had" usage or use contractions to make them less noticeable.

When incorporating flashbacks into your narrative, ensure they are well-structured and serve a clear purpose. The three critical elements of a flashback should contain:

Emotional Trigger: Begin with a transition sentence that includes "had." This establishes the character and point of view (POV) clearly. An emotional trigger sets the stage for the flashback, grounding it in the character's current emotional state.

Flashback Scene: Write the flashback scene in simple past tense. Avoid using "had" excessively. This keeps the scene dynamic and engaging.

Transition Sentence: Conclude the flashback with a transition sentence that brings the reader back to the present. This is usually an action at the start of a new paragraph, seamlessly integrating the flashback into the ongoing narrative.

Writing a compelling narrative can be difficult, especially when attempting to balance it with dialogue. Too much of either will result in a clunky book. Blocks of narrative text aren't very pleasing to the eye. On the flip side, too much white space around dialogue can make the story feel sparse. These are my top 5 tips to help balance your narrative writing:

Determine Emotional Mood Before Writing: Understanding the emotional tone of your scene before you start writing can help you craft more authentic and resonant narratives. This emotional groundwork ensures your characters' actions and dialogues align with their current state of mind. Once you know the emotional tone, utilize the five senses to make the readers feel what the characters are feeling. 

Show Characters Doing Something: Actions speak louder than words. Show your characters engaging in activities rather than solely internal monologues. This approach makes your story more dynamic and your characters more vivid. But make sure the actions are relevant to the scene and are in line with the character you've established. 

Tell, Don't Ask: Avoid having your characters ask too many internal questions, as it can make them appear weak and indecisive. Instead, form their thoughts as statements. For example, rather than writing, "Was he a werewolf?" write, "I wondered if he was a werewolf." But be mindful of how often you do this, as "wondered" can be a distancing word. As always, this is a delicate balancing act to round out your writing. 

Set Action Goals for Each Scene: Ensure each scene has a clear action goal. Characters should be actively pursuing something, not just thinking about it. Make sure your characters have agency and are working toward something. 

Avoid Overusing "It" or "Some" or "There": Using vague terms like "it" or "some" or "there" can be confusing and seem lazy. Be specific in your descriptions to maintain reader engagement and clarity. Always ask yourself: "What is it?" or "What or where is there?" Quantify what "it" is or how many "some" is. 

Fiction is composed of three main parts: narrative, dialogue, and description. I've already talked about narrative, so now let's talk about dialogue and descriptions and how to utilize those effectively to balance the story. 

Physical Actions as Dialogue Tags: Physical actions don't always work as dialogue tags. For example, a character can't smile, sneer, or laugh while speaking. These should be separate sentences. Use facial expressions and gestures to add depth, but don't overdo it. Watching TV with the sound off can provide great inspiration for non-verbal communication.

Smart Character Naming: Naming characters thoughtfully is crucial. Common complaints include:

* Names ending in "s" (which can be confusing in possessive form)

* Difficult-to-pronounce names

                       * Human names for animals               

                       * Multiple characters with names starting with the same initial consonant                                (e.g., all names starting with D or B)

Avoid Euphemisms: Euphemisms can dilute the impact of your writing. Be direct and clear in your descriptions and dialogue to maintain authenticity and emotional resonance.

Transparency with Readers: Never manipulate your readers by withholding critical information about your character's plans once mentioned, especially when you're deep in that character's point-of-view. Transparency builds trust and keeps readers engaged.

Avoid Needless Descriptions: Descriptions should enhance the narrative, not interrupt it. Avoid inserting unnecessary details that can distract from the action or dialogue.

Careful Use of Slang: Slang can date your writing. Use it sparingly and ensure it fits the context and characters to avoid sounding outdated or out of touch. This is especially important when writing children's or teen fiction. 

Crafting a compelling narrative requires attention to detail and a keen understanding of language and structure. By avoiding the overuse of "had," structuring your flashbacks effectively, and following these essential dos and don'ts, you can create engaging and polished stories. Remember, writing is an art form that requires practice and reflection. Keep refining your techniques, and your narratives will captivate and resonate with readers.

Also remember, though, that beyond the "Laws of Grammar," there are no real hard rules for writing. You can ignore every piece of advice in this post and still write a masterpiece. However, for those just starting out, having some basic guidelines can be useful. 

What tips or tricks do you have for writing compelling narrative?

Share in the comments!

Kara's Book Cravings: Room Service

 

Continuing with my binge read of Maren Stoffels backlist, after finishing her last book, I jumped right into ROOM SERVICE. 

This is another teen thriller, and yet another book that's contained within an enclosed setting. This time it's a hotel where the characters are celebrating a friend's birthday. 

The mystery in this book starts right from the first page with the main characters referencing something that happened a year ago, a friend getting injured or killed (it's not super clear, which I'm sure is the point, but the guilt they carry hints at something nefarious. 

There's one character in here that drove me crazy, and not in a good way. She was very annoying in a "why doesn't anyone like me" whiney sort of way. The overall mystery and thriller aspects, though, outweigh this one bad character. 

Like the rest of her books, this one ended with quite a twist! I really didn't see this one coming, which is always great, but I personally would've liked a tad more hints leading up to the big reveal. Overall, I enjoyed this book a bit more than the others, and it's a great addition to anyone who loves thrillers like I do. 

Have you read this book? What did you think of it?

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Share Your Favorite Summer Treats!

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

If you are interested in participating in TMST or receiving periodic emails that list the upcoming TMST topics and questions,  please fill out this GOOGLE FORM.  Participation is optional and never required.

I have the worst sweet tooth, so I'm always eating sweet treats, but during the summer, I love anything with strawberries. Cheesecake, ice cream, shortcake, fruit dip, cool whip, chocolate... you name it and I'll eat it! I'm also a sucker for soft serve ice cream with rainbow sprinkles, usually in a waffle cone. 

What's your favorite summer treat?