Tag Archives: editing

Writing-Tip Wednesday: Crutch Words — Finding Them and Limiting Them

Posted on September 23, 2020 by dbjackson

Last week, John Hartness, my good friend and the owner and editor at Falstaff Books, posted on Facebook about something he was seeing while editing manuscripts. Many of his writers were starting too many lines of dialogue with, “So…” As … Continue reading →

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Writing-Tip Wednesday: Let’s Talk Trunk Novels

Posted on August 19, 2020 by dbjackson

A good idea remains such, regardless of the market and our inability to execute that idea when first it comes to us. Sometimes we need to grow into the ambition of certain projects. Let me tell you about my trunk … Continue reading →

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Writing-Tip Wednesday: When is a Manuscript Done?

Posted on April 29, 2020 by dbjackson

There comes in the revision process a point of diminishing returns. And upon reaching that point, we need to say, “The novel is good enough, as good as I can make it with the feedback and skills and tools at … Continue reading →

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Monday Musings: Learning to be an Editor

Posted on February 10, 2020 by dbjackson

I’m pretty good at diagnosing both narrative trouble spots and problematic wording. Over the years, I’ve had tons of practice, having found plenty of both in my own work. As I’ve mentioned here before, I am coediting an anthology, Galactic … Continue reading →

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On Writing: Revisions and the Editorial Process

Posted on January 31, 2019 by dbjackson

Sure, these criticisms come in the context of someone saying, “Hey, I love this story, and I want to pay you for it. In real money.” So, thinking about this rationally, we should be able to process the editor’s feedback … Continue reading →

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(Not So) Quick-Tip Tuesday: Ups and Downs of the Writing Life

Posted on February 21, 2017 by dbjackson

I’ve published nineteen novels, written lots of short stories, and (for those who like their cautionary tales with a dollop of irony) even co-authored a book on writing. And here I was, totally enamored of a manuscript that had deep … Continue reading →

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Two Stops on the Blog Tour!

Posted on November 28, 2016 by dbjackson

I’m pushing myself to take all sorts of creative chances, following bolder storylines and developing exotic characters. I’m writing leaner, sparser, the way I wish I’d written the old books. In short, I’m trying to make this next project something … Continue reading →

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Quick-Tip Tuesday: More on Self-Editing

Posted on July 12, 2016 by dbjackson

This is still the work of an inexperienced writer. Comparing The Outlanders to the work I’ve done more recently, I still cringe a little at the habits of that younger me. But I also see growth, a writer beginning to … Continue reading →

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The Re-Release of My First Novel

Posted on July 7, 2016 by dbjackson

To fans of the original, thank you for the support you’ve shown me over the years. I couldn’t be more grateful. To those coming to the series for the first time, welcome. I hope you enjoy reading these novels as … Continue reading →

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Quick-Tip Tuesday Guest Star!

Posted on June 28, 2016 by dbjackson

Joshua Palmatier is guest-starring at Magical Words today, with a Quick-Tip Tuesday post on self editing. Check it out here.

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