I'm Italian. Well, I'm half-Italian, actually. What does this have to do with blogging and editing? As far as editing, it means I know wordiness when I see it, and can pull out the Red Pen of Doom and slash with the best of them. As far as blogging, it means I can't follow my
This leads me into trouble more often than not as I decide what to write and what to eliminate in my blog posts. I usually have my friend and Coffee Chat buddy, S.K. Anthony, look at my drafts so she can tell me when I should have shut up. She has a good eye for these things, telling me to “save this part for another post” or “this sounds like you’re whining.” Once in a while, I’ll send her a blog post that fits within the less-than-1000-words rule, and she has the nerve to think I’m joking. Harrumph.
In fact, when I signed up for the A to Z challenge, her first words of advice were, “Write a regular blog post, and then chop it into four or five separate posts. That’s how short these need to be. Do you think you’re going to be able to do that?”
Yep.
Yep.
Come back in April to see the proof. My theme?
FIRST DRAFT TO BOOK SALES: AN EDITOR'S TIPS FROM A TO Z
See you on April 1. No foolin'.
Short interesting posts are definitely the way to go. S.K. Anthony knows how to do it. I'm looking forward to reading more from you in April.
ReplyDeleteNana Prah
S.K. is great about being my "shut up already" person. I'm inspired!
Delete"As far as blogging, it means I... write much in the same way as I speak. Quantity (sometimes over quality) and tangents."
ReplyDeleteGee, me too!
Looking forward to April.
It just comes out, and I have to rein it back in more often than not. If I were creative enough, I could probably write a novel in a month. But then I'd have to cut half of it out because it would just end up being me, rambling.
DeleteThis April thing has me feeling like Christmas is coming all over again.
I need tips from an editor so I'll dropping in during April, especially since you said your blogs are going to be short!
ReplyDeleteYou'll probably be used to doing short ones each day by the time May comes around.
I'm hoping the short-blog practice sticks with me. I need to take my own advice and eliminate the unnecessary stuff. My problem is that I think it's ALL necessary, of course. Who wouldn't want to hear what I have to say? lol
DeleteI love your theme, and I love quilts, so I'll be checking out your blog, too.
Thanks for stopping by, Fanny!
I think your editor tips are fantastic! Great advice is always appreciated so I look forward to your A to Z posts...even if you have extra quantity and tangents mixed in, they're still sure to be fun :D
ReplyDeleteWell, you'd say that because you're used to me. But I still appreciate the sentiment!
DeleteI tend to get involved and some posts are long. I am going to try and be a bit shorter but not sure I can manage it.
ReplyDeleteOnce I set my mind to it, I found the challenge of it fun to see how much I could clip and still say what I was aiming for. You can do it!
DeleteFound your site via the theme reveal page. I am a first-time A to Z Challenge participant. I like your theme, as I am a writer currently revising my memoir, so I can use lots of tips. Also, like you, my posts tend to be lengthy, and keeping to the 300 word limit will be an impossible challenge for some of my posts, but most made the cut off. By the way, my theme is 26 ways to be happy, since that's sort of what emerged when I finished my book. Stop by and check it out if you want.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Best regards,
Elizabeth
Congrats! I'm a first-timer, too, but have had a great time getting prepped for this. I've been scouting out blogs over the past few days, going down the list, up the list, randomly around the list, and all over the list, compiling a folder full of bookmarked sites I want to visit. Now I have yours on the list, too. There are a LOT of blogs out there!
DeleteThank you so very much for visiting AsTheCrackerheadCrumbles. I have just added this wonderful site to the list for future inclusion in a Sites To See edition. Be assured that I will let you know when it is actually included, which will be a while because of how many were already on the list.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm great about following the "this is interesting!" things. I especially like it when someone does the looking for me. [grin]
DeleteI appreciate the visit and the comment! Come back anytime!
Sounds like a great theme for us writers! I'll peek in on your posts next month :)
ReplyDeleteMy A to Z Theme Reveal
As I'll be peeking in on yours. Memorable characters is a great one! I can't wait to see the good and the bad side of "memorable."
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
I'll be glad to tell you to shut up. ;-)
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie, who thinks your theme is excellent
I knew you'd have my back in the "shut up" department. Thank you, Janie, for being willing to save me from myself.
DeleteI still think you should do the A to Z reasons to stay in bed...
I am really going to like your A-Z posts!
ReplyDeleteI hope so! You should do the A to Z of Bubba-isms. He sounds like a hoot.
DeleteI am awaiting it with bated breath.... (gasp)....(Pant)...Sorry had to breathe.
ReplyDeleteGlad I posted today! I'd hate to have you passing out all over the place and have your Marketing Associates holding me responsible. They might not deliver the chocolate tribute on time next month.
DeleteOh they always "deliver" on time.
DeleteAs an aspiring writer myself, I'm definitely going to need tips from an editor. Look forward to what you'll come up with :)
ReplyDeleteMine are more like, "Please don't do these things because you'll make me cry."
Delete:) Now is where I guarantee you instant fame and fortune if you follow my A to Z steps precisely.
I have your blog bookmarked for April, because it looks like you have a variety of fun things on the calendar.
Thanks for stopping by!
Free tips from an Editor... what author or aspiring author would turn that down. I'm betting your site is going to be flooded. Looking forward to it :)
ReplyDelete*~MAJK~*
A-to-Z Challenge 2014
Mighty Minion of Co-Host Nicole Ayers
@Safireblade on Twitter
http://www.safireblade.com/
No pressure, right? I hope the tips are worth reading for the people who visit.
DeleteI thought about the things I remove or adjust when editing, and what drives me crazy when reading for pleasure, and before I knew it, I had an outline. "Editor's Tips" sounded more polite than "You're Driving Me Crazy and Here's Why!"
[laughing] I love what I do. And I'm always happy to point people in the right direction...if I know where it is.
Your blog is so beautiful, I felt as if I had to sit up straighter and comb my hair before reading your posts. I'm looking forward to reading your A to Z posts for an education in Anime!
Ooooo, sold! Will definitely be back come April. Looking forward to it. :D
ReplyDeleteAlex Hurst, fantasy author in Kyoto, participating in Blogging A-Z April Challenge
Thank you! The more, the merrier! I went to look at your site and realized I'd already bookmarked it, so you'll definitely see me around. I think it will be great to hear about what you love about the whole writing process.
DeleteIts lovely to have a blogging buddy help you craft yours. (Though I don't see what's wrong with whining - I do it all the time on my blog!) I'm a new follower. Have a great weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't see anything wrong with whining, either. It makes me feel great! Never mind everyone cringing around me and slinking out of the room...hmm, maybe S.K. is on to something there. Let's just say she keeps me readable.
DeleteLooking forward to your A to Z hauntings in April! I'm putting on my shiverin' timbers brace in case I get too scared.
This is great!! I'm a wordy person too. I just blah blah blah away on my blog. Which is why I kept my A to Z theme short and sweet.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to following your blog!
Carrie~Anne at That Dizzy Chick
I heard a rumor that nobody wants to take 1/2 hour to read my blog posts. I just can't understand why...
DeleteYour theme IS short and sweet! I can't wait to be inspired by your quotes.
l love this idea. Can't wait to find out what you have to share in those short, but pithy posts!
ReplyDeleteI hope at least one of the 26 is worth the visit. :) I'm just hoping I can keep going with the "short is better" idea once April is over.
Delete