Self Editing

Grammarly vs. ProWritingAid: A Comparative Analysis

For writers of fiction—my clients and potential clients—I recommend ProWritingAid to create an engaging, marketable novel.

Style sheets: What are they, and do I need one?

Style sheets are mini style guides, and yes, you need one. Most professional editors, like me, create style sheets for their clients.

Part 1: First-Time Author Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

There are things I search for before the actual editing begins. Here are some valuable additions to include in your self-editing process.

How Music Helps Your Writing

Music is one of the oldest creations of man. Many writers prefer listening to music rather than writing in silence.

The Controversial Exclamation Point!!!

Exclamation points are one of the most controversial punctuation marks in the literary world.

Your Friend, The Oxford Comma

The serial (Oxford) comma may be a matter of style, but it's still your friend.

Sun-kissed mountains, ten-dollar bills, eleven-year-old daughter . . . What do these have in common?

A hyphen is needed between two words that function together as an adjective before the noun they describe.

Killing Your Darlings (Don't Panic!)

What this means is that anything unrelated to your story's overall plot needs to be revisited with unsentimental objectivity.