Category Archives: Editing

Backstory: Putting your world in context

Posted on November 7, 2016 by Donna Maloy, Author

Context = Clue Context gives us clues to the meaning of an unfamiliar word, the emotion behind a friend’s reaction, the point of a political slogan. The word “flag” can call several images to mind. But even if we’ve never … Continue reading →

Posted in Advice, Backstory, Backstory, Craft of Writing, Description, Differentiating Characters, Editing, Interaction with Setting, Interior life; interiority, Words and Phrases, world-building, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Monday Advice from Editors and Agents: A Pleasure Principle

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Donna Maloy, Author

Mashable is a global, multi-platform online media and entertainment “magazine” with tech, digital culture and entertainment content. If you have unlimited time to browse its ginormous daily content, you’ll find articles on everything from new gadgets to Hollywood scandals to … Continue reading →

Posted in Action, Advice, Aha! moments, Character, Conflict, Craft of Writing, Editing, High Stakes, Opening scene, Openings, Plotting, Resolutions, Stakes, Story Elements, Writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Monday Advice from Editors and Agents: Use Details in Settings Purposefully

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Donna Maloy, Author

“Your choice of setting and the way you manipulate it can have a powerful impact on the way the scene reads.” –Theresa Stevens Theresa Stevens has been a literary attorney agent and the chief executive editor for a small romance … Continue reading →

Posted in Advice, Craft of Writing, Description, Description, Editing, POV - Point of View, Setting, Setting, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Monday Advice from Editors and Agents: Motivate Your Characters’ Decisions

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Donna Maloy, Author

Today’s (one day late) advice comes from agent Peter Knapp of New Leaf Literary & Media, Inc. Peter will be part of the faculty at the Pacific Coast Children’s Writers Novel Workshop and Retreat, September 23-25, 2016 in Santa Cruz, CA. (Note: there will … Continue reading →

Posted in Avoiding coincidence, Backstory, Backstory, Character-driven action, Character-driven action, Characters, Conflict, Contrived Plots, Craft of Writing, Editing, Foreshadowing, Mistakes and Consequences, Motivation, Pacific Coast Writers, Plotting, Resolutions, Revising, Stakes, Story Elements, Teaching Writing, Teen Authors, Teen writers, Teen writers, Workshops, Writers Conference, Writing, Young adults | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Monday Advice from Agents and Editors: An Editor’s Take on Criticism

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Donna Maloy, Author

The Wakeup Call Many new authors, shiny new publishing contract in hand, think all the hard work is over. And then they get the first editorial letter. The one that’s a dozen pages long. The one that starts “I really … Continue reading →

Posted in Criticism, Editing, Editorial Criticism, Revising, Taking out fluff | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment