Coming Soon...

I am very lucky to be doing just that!  I truly love working with authors and helping them bring their stories and their dreams to life.  

Many manuscripts have crossed my desk in the last twelve years, and the biggest thing I still see authors struggling with are the concepts of Telling versus Showing and Deeper Point of View...

I swear I just sensed a mass of writers inhale and cringe all at the same time LOL.  

Well, fear no more!  

I am currently working on a blog series that will break down these issues, show how to look for "buzz" words/phrases/paragraphs, and how to fix them.  I have helped a lot of authors understand these concepts and take their stories to the next level, and it is my dream to help a LOT more...maybe even my mission.

My goal is to have the first post up for this series by the end of October.  So if you or someone you know is confused with the concepts of Telling versus Showing and Deeper POV, please let them know and feel free to spread the word to keep on eye on this blog for explanations, understanding, and hopefully a little fun while we're at it. 😁

©bystacydawn

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☮ I'd love to have you visit me on social media and at my website! Links on the side ➹💟

Time for a trim?

Shaping is crucial to a story, and trimming extra words or cutting lines, paragraphs, or scenes that slow down the pace can make your manuscript that much tighter, brighter, and engaging.

No, I admit, it’s not easy at all. Sort of like having long hair and deciding to cut it short. Not an easy decision, and it usually sits with you for a while as you debate back and forth with yourself if you REALLY want to do that. Similar to scenes that you really like--maybe with clever dialogue or some funny incident. It is a debate back and forth, almost a fight with yourself because you know it would be better for the book, BUT you feel it is such a good piece of writing, too, that you don't want to get rid of it. Yet, if those paragraphs/scenes stall the pace, you are doing more of an injustice to your story and especially to your reader by giving them a chance to stall, pause, a reason to close the book and go wash their sink-full of dishes.

You want your readers to HAVE to keep turning the pages and let those dishes sit for another hour while they finish your book.

Think of it kind of like a trip to the hairdresser--maybe you did decide to cut your long hair or simply have it styled, and more often than not you come out feeling better about yourself, confident, beautiful.  No, it’s not an easy decision to cut parts of your story you think clever and witty, but like getting a fresh haircut, your confidence in your story will raise tenfold when you chop off the unnecessary lose ends and see how much you gain in forward momentum.

And remember, always save those witty, funny, dramatic scenes or pieces of dialogue you loved in a miscellaneous file. Just because they didn’t fit this manuscript, doesn’t mean they can’t wholeheartedly benefit another in the future.😉

© bystacydawn 2018

Submission Tip: Do your homework to pass the test

Though it is FINALLY looking like spring LOL, and we can finally get outside, the kids are still in school, which is a good reminder to authors in general, especially newer authors...don't let the fresh air make you forget to do your homework, too!

This is a good life lesson, especially in the publishing industry. Study your craft constantly. Learning never stops (even for editors 😁).

Most importantly, do your homework before you submit. Most publishing houses have their submission guidelines on their websites.

FIND THEM.

STUDY THEM.

ABIDE BY THEM.

In reality, this is your first test as an author. Are you able to follow simple guidelines? Can you do what is asked of you in the general form?

You may be quirking your brow and saying, "What? A test? Seriously?"

Yes. Maybe not a serious, sit down, use a #2 pencil type one, and maybe not in the terms any actual publishing house would use, but there are editors on the other end of that submission email who roll their eyes at someone who sent multiple attachments when it was specifically asked that no attachments be sent with a query, or when you use a really weird and fancy font when a simple Times New Roman 12 was asked for in their submission guidelines. No, you aren't physically graded, but not adhering to simple guidelines can start you off on the wrong foot with someone you really want to impress. The editor first looks to see if you can follow simple directions, which lets them know that when it's time for the more indepth directions of edits on your manuscript, you are someone who pays attention to details, someone who is willing to do the work.

Show them you are someone they want to work with; show them you are someone they CAN work with; show them you are serious and took the time to research their site, and they will know you are someone who is willing to learn and willing to work for their craft.

And I'll let you in on a secret, those are the answers to that first test....Submission Etiquette 101.

©bystacydawn 2018