Thursday, July 18, 2013
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
I Don't Do Copy Edits, But I Know Who Does
Okay guys, you know I do content editing but I don't have the skill to do copy editing. You can find all kinds of people running about on the Internet saying they do have those skills. Anyway, I thought some of you might need those services in the near future. (I've been reading some awesome manuscripts.)
Or, some of you might not want me to do your content editing because I eat a lot of cake or whatever. Also because I might be just a little crazy. (Six children worth of crazy and I earned every zapped-out molecule.)
So without any further fanfare, here are two people I would trust with my money and my manuscripts. They are both brilliant and have worked with a lot of popular published authors. They can copy edit. I can't.
A lot of you know Authoress Anonymous and her awesome website Miss Snark's First Victim. If you're a writer you should go there immediately. She has some of the most awesome agent and editor contests ever! She also works as an independent editor. Her editorial services and prices are listed. She only does partials at the moment and I do believe that there will soon be a way where (for a price and in an emergency) you can jump the queue.
http://misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/2007/01/authoress-edits.html I personally recommend her. We've been friends and critique partners for years. Your manuscript can only get better in her hands.
The second person I'd like to recommend is Richard Shealy. He specializes in fantasy and science fiction and works professionally for some of the big six publishers. I personally know the big names he beta reads for,(no I won't tell you ) and guarantee that he'll keep all of those pesky ducks (or dragons) marching in a nice row. He is excellent at keeping you voice yours, and he will line edit your work until it shines like gold.
I think the science fiction and fantasy writers know how difficult it is to find someone who understands your world and the rules. He can do it. His website is here. http://sffcopyediting.com/
Of course you can have me wearing my bossy pants for content edits.
Both of the above people are personal friends and I have no doubts guaranteeing their integrity.
Friday, June 28, 2013
SEKRIT Swingers or What I do on the Weekend.
My youngest is now a teenager and for a while now, our poor old swing set has crouched in the back yard. Its chains were rusty, the slide was on the ground somewhere and it looked quite pitiful. I've tried and tried to get the dear husband to let me sell it or give it away. But, he couldn'l let go.
Then last weekend, he realized that our twin, six-year-old nieces had no swing set.
I called my sister to see if they'd like to have it. She knew it needed paint, and swings, and possibly a walker with tennis balls on the legs, and she still agreed.
This got the husband and I to thinking about when we had three small-ish kids and how hard it was to finish a project. My sister and her family left on vacation that night and we put our plan into action.
Before I was awake, the husband had purchased new swings and chains. Now the only problem was taking it apart and hauling it on a flat-bed trailer the quarter of a mile to my sisters house. Once there, we realized that the spot where the swingset would live was on a very hilly part of the yard.
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Out came the shovels and my husband's levels of doom. Twelve hours later, the swing set was moved and tested by the largest people we could find. My husband and two of my sons. We figured that if 450 pounds worth of swinging couldn't tip the set over, three smallish humans couldn't either
The next day we scraped all of the old paint off, hoovered the yard with the shop-vac (I seem to remember small people wanting to eat paint) And put a new face on the old girl.
Luckily the Home Depot people were able to exactly match the paint. My sister and her family were gone and we couldn't call them to see if they had leftover house paint because it was a secret project and supposed to be a surprise! Here is the awesome hubster and two of my daughters, It was a real family project.
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After we were finished (12 more hours on Sunday) I sent this picture to my sister and then called her to say surprise!
There was much squealing and screaming of small people.
Like this,
It was worth every minute.
Before I was awake, the husband had purchased new swings and chains. Now the only problem was taking it apart and hauling it on a flat-bed trailer the quarter of a mile to my sisters house. Once there, we realized that the spot where the swingset would live was on a very hilly part of the yard.
.jpg)
Out came the shovels and my husband's levels of doom. Twelve hours later, the swing set was moved and tested by the largest people we could find. My husband and two of my sons. We figured that if 450 pounds worth of swinging couldn't tip the set over, three smallish humans couldn't either
The next day we scraped all of the old paint off, hoovered the yard with the shop-vac (I seem to remember small people wanting to eat paint) And put a new face on the old girl.
Luckily the Home Depot people were able to exactly match the paint. My sister and her family were gone and we couldn't call them to see if they had leftover house paint because it was a secret project and supposed to be a surprise! Here is the awesome hubster and two of my daughters, It was a real family project.
.jpg)
There was much squealing and screaming of small people.
Like this,
It was worth every minute.
Monday, June 24, 2013
The Bacon Poem
Slipping into dreams I slept,
To wake up in the morn'.
Down the creaky stairs I crept,
Feeling sore and worn.
Much to my surprise I see,
My nose was not mistaken.
Someone went ahead and cooked,
A plate of precious bacon.
My stomach rumbled like a storm,
I went forth with delight.
But then I shed a single tear,
I woke up in the night.
Friday, May 24, 2013
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Wednesday, May 15, 2013
To all of the RT 2013 Authors
Thank You!
To the Adult Writers
My girls were the ones asking you if they were old enough to read your books. Thank you for taking the time to chat with them. You made them feel important. The swag you gave them is proudly displayed on the bookself in my daughter's room. They remember your names, and your books, better than I do. I know that they aren't your readers yet, but you can bet your buttons that they will be. So, thank you for making them look forward to reading in the future.
To the YA Authors
You were awesome personified. My daughter and her friends came away with bragging rights that will last for years. At the bookstore, the youngest points out the books that are yours and remembers exactly what you told them about the plot. (You're costing me a mint!) She remembers each face, and what you said, and how you really listened to her questions. She tells friends that they MUST READ your book because you are so cool. I have never seen happier eighth grade girls. They felt wanted and needed, and felt like their opinions mattered.
They came away from Teen Day feeling great about themselves and looking forward to a summer with your stories. As a mother I thank you. You made my job easier.
,
To the Adult Writers
My girls were the ones asking you if they were old enough to read your books. Thank you for taking the time to chat with them. You made them feel important. The swag you gave them is proudly displayed on the bookself in my daughter's room. They remember your names, and your books, better than I do. I know that they aren't your readers yet, but you can bet your buttons that they will be. So, thank you for making them look forward to reading in the future.
To the YA Authors
You were awesome personified. My daughter and her friends came away with bragging rights that will last for years. At the bookstore, the youngest points out the books that are yours and remembers exactly what you told them about the plot. (You're costing me a mint!) She remembers each face, and what you said, and how you really listened to her questions. She tells friends that they MUST READ your book because you are so cool. I have never seen happier eighth grade girls. They felt wanted and needed, and felt like their opinions mattered.
They came away from Teen Day feeling great about themselves and looking forward to a summer with your stories. As a mother I thank you. You made my job easier.
,
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