The Writing Life

How to Edit and Proofread Your Own Manuscript with Denise Loock

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on August 10, 2021

There are two ways to get better at writing. One is to practice writing, so your first drafts are better. The second is to learn how to edit your first drafts into better second drafts. It is common for some beginning authors to feel like the second draft is different, rather than better. This doesn’t need to be the case, however. You can learn how to become a better self-editor. In fact, that is exactly what we are going to talk about today.

We have a special guest on the show who is going to teach you how to edit and proofread your own manuscript.

She is a general editor for Iron Stream Media, and she’s the director of PENCON, the annual conference for Christian editors and proofreaders.

Denise Loock, welcome to the Christian Publishing Show.

Links:

Craft Book Recommendations:

Writing Successful Self-Help and How-To Books (Affiliate Link)
Made to Stick by Dan & Chip Heath (Affiliate Link)
Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors by Kathy Ide (Affiliate Link)
Editing Secrets of Best-Selling Authors (Affiliate Link)
Writer to Writer: Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing (Affiliate Link)
Tailor Your Fiction Manuscript in 30 Days (Affiliate Link)

You can listen to this episode How to Edit and Proofread Your Own Manuscript with Denise Loock on Christian Publishing Show.

How to Edit and Proofread Your Own Manuscript with Denise Loock

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on August 10, 2021

There are two ways to get better at writing. One is to practice writing, so your first drafts are better. The second is to learn how to edit your first drafts into better second drafts. It is common for some beginning authors to feel like the second draft is different, rather than better. This doesn’t […]
You can listen to this episode How to Edit and Proofread Your Own Manuscript with Denise …

Category: The Writing Life

How to Edit and Proofread Your Own Manuscript with Denise Loock

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on August 10, 2021

There are two ways to get better at writing. One is to practice writing, so your first drafts are better. The second is to learn how to edit your first drafts into better second drafts. It is common for some beginning authors to feel like the second draft is different, rather than better. This doesn’t […]
You can listen to this episode How to Edit and Proofread Your Own Manuscript with Denise …

Category: The Writing Life

The Pressure Is Off

By Dan Balowon August 5, 2021

Last week, I wrote about the pressure on writers to write well and compelling enough to gain and keep readers. Today, I promise to take some pressure off. For Christian writers only, if you feel the pressure to affect a reader’s life rests entirely on your own ability to write well, here are some red-letter words direct from the Creator God. From the Old Testament book of Job, chapter 38, verses …

Category: Book Business, Inspiration, The Writing Life, Theology

Defining a Few Terms

By Bob Hostetleron July 29, 2021

Since Steve dealt with some terms in Monday’s post, we thought it appropriate to discuss some other basic ones today. When a person undertakes to write for publication—and especially when that individual starts taking webinars, attending writers conferences, and hanging out with other writer types—he or she will encounter some words and phrases that can be confusing, at least at first. So, …

Category: Book Proposals, The Writing Life, Writing Craft

The Pressure Is On

By Dan Balowon July 28, 2021

For anyone creating material in any media, pressure is high, not only to gain users but to keep users. Just because someone subscribes or buys what you create doesn’t mean they are using it. I’ve seen several studies indicating for an average book only 60% that are purchased are ever opened. Let that statistic sink in. And since dedicated e-book devices and smartphones are two-way communicators, …

Category: Book Business, Technology, The Publishing Life, The Writing Life

Why Was My Submission Rejected?

By Bob Hostetleron July 21, 2021

From Day One as a big, important literary agent, the least favorite part of my job—by far—has been saying no. It’s the worst. And it makes me feel like I’m the worst. Feel sorry for me yet? Seriously, the process of reviewing one submission after another, expecting to find one shining sterling silver needle in the overwhelming haystack, is a sure way to bring down my spirits. I try to respond to …

Category: Agents, Book Proposals, Rejection, The Writing Life

How to Use Books to Complement Your Ministry & Increase Revenue with Crystal Daye

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on July 20, 2021

Many times Christian writers think that once their book is published, then they can minister to people. But they have it all backwards. You can and should start ministering to and blessing people right now, and your book will be an overflow of that ministry. We have a guest here today to talk to us […]
You can listen to this episode How to Use Books to Complement Your Ministry & Increase Revenue …

Category: The Writing Life

How to Use Books to Complement Your Ministry & Increase Revenue with Crystal Daye

By Thomas Umstattd, Jr.on July 20, 2021

Category: The Writing Life

You’re Not the First Author to …

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 14, 2021

Miss a deadline because you underestimated how long a project would take. Miss a deadline because of a family emergency or your own illness. Ask for not one, not two, not three, but four deadline extensions. Have a manuscript declared unacceptable. Cancel a contract and return your advance money Feel hurt by an editor’s harsh words. Experience a major printing error. Hate your book cover. Hate the …

Category: The Writing Life