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The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Writing Craft » Craft » Page 17

Craft

Details, Details (Do They Matter?)

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon March 31, 2016
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I was chatting with a reader the other day who told me about an advertisement she’d received about a new book.

She said, “I read the sample, but then the author said that Black-eyed Susans bloomed in May, but they don’t bloom until August. I didn’t buy the book.”

“Did you like the story otherwise?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“But you’re not going to buy the book?” I’m sure my tone registered surprise.

“No. I just couldn’t get over the Black-eyed Susans being wrong.”

I just entered the phrase, “When do black-eyed Susans bloom” in my search engine. In response I was greeted with a box saying “From June to October” in huge letters.

That’s all the author needed to do to keep from making this error.

My point? You never know what might keep a reader from either finishing your book or simply not buying it to start with. But let’s at least do our best to make our books as error-free as possible.

Your turn:

Have you stopped reading a book because of what might be considered a minor error?

If you found an error in a book, would you notify the author or publisher? Why or why not?

If your book had an error after printing, would you want a reader to tell you?

 

 

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Category: Craft, Editing, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Details, Research, Writing Craft

What An Editor Does –Phase 1

By Karen Ballon March 9, 2016
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As we saw from the comments last week, editors have many tasks. As do copyeditors and proofreaders, but for the next few blogs we’re focusing on editors. I’ve been an editor for over 35 years, both in-house and freelance. And I’ve worked with all categories of books except Children’s books and academic titles. So here, from that perspective, is my take on what editors do. First, let’s look at what …

Read moreWhat An Editor Does –Phase 1
Category: Craft, Creativity, Editing, Writing CraftTag: Editing, Editor, Writing Craft

The Sound of Words

By Karen Ballon February 10, 2016
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One of the things I love most about working with words is that I will never reach the point where I can say, “There, now. I’ve learned it all.” Love, love learning new things. Especially when it’s something I can share with all of you. So, have you ever heard of phonesthesia or sound symbolism? Basically, it’s the idea that the sound of a word plays into it’s perceived meaning. That there are …

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Category: Communication, Craft, Creativity, Editing, Humor, LanguageTag: Language, words

Deadlines: Pre-Emptive Strike

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 28, 2016
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Last week I wrote about a process on how to manage deadlines. Despite our best efforts, events may put us awry. To avoid this, eliminate overconfidence. When you see a contract and the advance – one you may desperately need, you may be tempted to say, “You know what? I really don’t need to go to the beach this year. I’ll write all summer instead.” Or, “Sure, I can write 3,000 words a day, seven …

Read moreDeadlines: Pre-Emptive Strike
Category: Career, CraftTag: Career, Deadlines

Meet Deadlines with Simple Math

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 21, 2016
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During your publishing journey you may have the delightful problem of too many deadlines. You may have to ask yourself if you can accept another contract because you’re so busy. I’ve advised many clients about this over the years, taking them from panic to peace. Simple math can help. Determine time Look at all your contracts and how much time you have to write the books. Calculate how many days …

Read moreMeet Deadlines with Simple Math
Category: Career, CraftTag: Career, Deadlines

Don’t Let an Editor Ruin Your Book!

By Karen Ballon January 13, 2016
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I’ve worked in almost all the different aspects of publishing. Editor, writer, agent. Seen and done almost all there is. And it’s always fascinating when I hear writers talk about editors as though they’re these mean, rigid despots who just want to ruin their books. That is SO not who I, or the other editors I’ve known all these years, are like. We don’t want to ruin anything. We want to help. But …

Read moreDon’t Let an Editor Ruin Your Book!
Category: Craft, Editing, Writing CraftTag: Editing, Writing Craft

Practice Makes…More Practice

By Dan Balowon December 15, 2015
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Before musicians perform, they practice, and then practice some more. The best musicians might practice eight hours a day, every day, for many years. Then maybe, just maybe they get paid to perform, which rarely makes up for the thousands of hours they practiced for free. Before an artist paints or sculpts or creates anything, they practice and practice some more and throw away many of the things …

Read morePractice Makes…More Practice
Category: Career, Craft, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Practice, Writing Craft

Avoid Weak Words

By Steve Laubeon November 30, 2015
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Below is a great infographic detailing some weak words and how to fix them. Do you agree with this exercise or not? Do you have anything you can add to it? Years ago I had to strike the word “very” from an author’s manuscript because it had been used far too many times. In a very funny email the author replied with the word “very” typed over 500 times. The author said …

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Category: Craft, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Weak Words, Writing Craft

First Line Fun

By Karen Ballon November 18, 2015
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We all know how important first lines are in our writing. Those lines set the stage for the readers, creating a sense of dread or anticipation, excitement or contemplation. First lines can capture and transport, or convict and challenge. When I start a book and the first line grabs me, I always get a bit of a charge. If the first line is that good, I have great hopes that the rest will be great. …

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Category: Craft, Creativity

We’re Stylin’ Now! – A Style Sheet Template

By Karen Ballon November 11, 2015
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As promised last week, here’s the template for the style sheet I use. Feel free to change, add, and adapt as you wish! Have fun. STYLE SHEET Title: Author: Updated: I find it’s a good idea to put the date I’ve updated the sheet to ensure I send the most recent one with my manuscript.  These first sections are for fiction and nonfiction Source Materials This is where I list my primary sources, such …

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Category: Craft, Editing, Writing CraftTag: Editing, Style Sheets, Writing Craft
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