Editing – Gemma Snow

Write Drunk, Edit Sober (And Then Start Drinking)

Write drunk, edit sober. The reason for this is that writing is a hell of a lot easier than editing.

Not the Energizer-Bunny

I won’t get into the myriad reasons why this is the greatest job in the world, but every once in awhile, it’s necessary to take a step back and get away from the lonely office and misbehaving imaginary friends to regroup and recharge.

Fly By the Seat of Your Pants

Plotters plot and pansters fly by the seat of their pants. I have done both in many genres of writing, including both fiction and nonfiction, and let me tell you–I will never be a pantser.

From Prologue to Fin

Each book follows its own journey and that’s okay. As long as I still arrive at the final product, I’m pleased.

That being said, there are still a few rituals I follow for all of my stories, no matter the genre, length or series.

The Winner Takes It Null

It was a big contest too. There was pomp and circumstance and flowers and a big prize package to work with a self-publishing house.

My first instinct was ‘this is amazing.’ My second instinct was, ‘what did I just get myself into?’

Begin in the Middle

I think there are times when a prologue is helpful and times when it isn’t, and I know not everyone agrees. That said, you’ll want to keep some things in mind when starting with a prologue.

What’s the Point (of View)?

Let’s delve a little into point of view choice between first, second and third, and see what influencers, challenges, and story elements will help us make our decisions about which to use.

The Best Thing I Ever Write

Because here’s the thing, the best thing I’ve ever written is the last thing I wrote. It’s the thing I’m writing now.

If You Give a Writer a Word

I have a Faulkner quote hanging in the top right corner of my vision as I sit at my desk, and it’s come to be something I live my life by.

Write Around the Clock Tonight!

Over the years, it’s come to my attention just how many hours a day I spend marketing, promoting, writing blogs, scheduling social, filing expenses, the whole nine. These are things I never even considered before I got started, and now they occupy my days and nights, taking up far more time than they deserve, and cutting into the hours I really should be writing.