My first book reached 200k, so I split it into 2 books.
The new first book was 165k+, so I edited. Endless passes. I cut scenes, lines, words, adjusted structure, and got it to 116k.
When it's done, you'll see it clearer. Strip it then, a word at a time if necessary. And it will be better for it.

A toy Gamera (A giant fire-spewing turtle kaiju) standing on an open laptop wearing regular human glasses appearing to read an open document on the screen.

Gamera reader
#writingcommunity #writers #writersky

Thank you so much!

I only seem able to write in coffee shops. My brain produces its own terrible noise so I can't think creatively until I turn on "the show" for it to observe and be distracted. Only while it's busy watching the world can I extract what I need from it.

Writing Tip:
This is your regularly scheduled reminder to back up your work! Don’t put it off! Save it! Keep it in more than one location. You’ll thank yourself later if your computer suddenly goes up in flames or you lose that one thumb drive you have. Back it up!

#writing #writingtips #Booksky

Royal would be proud

Authors, if you see this, it's a sign to post the first line of your book.

"‘Neath starlight pricks over the American southwest, on a map-stain barkers call the chili capital of the world, five damp twenty-dollar bills changed hands in a urine-rusted trailer bar bathroom stall."

DEAR AUTHORS,

DO.
NOT.
TRUST.
AUTO.
SAVE.

Signed,
Management

💙📚 ✍️ #indie
#writersky #writingcommunity

Baby seal plushie face with the words "Edit book three" along the top in red all caps, and "It Matters To me" at the bottom in red all caps.

Many of you dudes have asked for recommendations of women to follow for reviews. Here’s six I read religiously.

@priscillapage.bsky.social
@bjcolangelo.bsky.social
@horrornonna.com
@horrorgirlprobs.bsky.social
@horrorella.bsky.social
@thehorrorchick.bsky.social
@redheadfrommars.bsky.social

"Legos and darkness" is now my "thoughts and prayers" for bad people like Devin.

Sending Legos and darkness Devin.

#writingcommunity #amwriting #amediting #writesky
Recently read some lovely snippets here that prompted me to repeat this...

Please open your #wip and search "had"

Most things someone did do not need to be things they had done.

Unlike you, I get my news from a reliable source.

Why is every cat Donald Pleasence?

Obi Wan Kenobi but with Steve the dog's face

I do sometimes discover myself weeping for people unknowingly holding their breath.

Group of people sitting around table touching glasses in a toast before a meal. The scene is from the end of the movie, "Don't Look Up."

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

#newyear2025

New year vibe is very much that last dinner scene in Don't Look Up.

Happy Birthday!
I hope everyone has the day off to celebrate properly.

Lorne Michaels at every SNL member casting audition ever

The alien villain of the Avengers movies, Thanos, snapping his finger, but his head is replaced with that of Steve the dog

Washington crossing the Delaware painting but with Steve the dog's face superimposed on George Washington's face

A man standing in dusty clothes and poncho and cowboy hat, but with a dog's face ("Steve" the dog from the original post) - It is Steve's face superimposed over Clint Eastwood's face from the movie, The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

I also see this...

I've spent about 2.5 hours editing 'was' out of my manuscript. I'm currently about 110/282 pages through it, and I've already cut almost 150. This is a time-consuming step, but I know it makes it so much stronger, so I guess it's worth it.

AARP published a list of how You can Be a 60-something Debut Novelist in 10 steps. 🙄 I break down the ridiculousness of the timeline, and what they got right on my blog. Link in next post ⤵️
#MondayBlogs #writingcommunity

Sometimes while picking up all the discarded frozen potatoes around the house each week, I fall

What is a swarm, if not love droning?

The Remains of the Day

I've used The Emotion Thesaurus when writing all my books. There are only so many times characters can nod, shake their heads, smile, and raise their eyebrows after all. #writing

re: Writing is therapy

My brain is like a bloodthirsty deity.

Only when I started sacrificing fictional people to it did it stop trying to kill me (mostly).
#writingcommunity #writing #amwriting #amediting