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Author Archives: WestWordArizona
Honest, I wasn’t trying to score brownie points
To fulfil a requirement for my BA in English, I registered for a class in Irish-American literature. The professor assigned several projects; each project was worth a certain number of points (yes, kind of high-schoolish). One of the projects was … Continue reading
No longer alpha reading full manuscripts
I recently received a nice compliment from one of my beta authors. I read her work in progress (WIP) a few months ago. The author’s project was a pleasure to read. Unlike a novel I beta read at another time. … Continue reading
Posted in Beta Reading
Tagged alpha manuscripts, alpha reader, Beta Reading, developmental editors, newbie authors
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Looking for a beta reader?
In 2012, I asked one of my Facebook (FB) friends if she needed another beta reader to look at her police procedural novel. That’s how I got started as a beta reader. A couple of years later, I got an … Continue reading
Conflicting commitments are so nerve-wracking
A few days ago, a post advertising the novels of Mary Roberts Rinehart popped up on Facebook. Rinehart has been called America’s Agatha Christie. More likely, Christie should be called England’s Mary Roberts Rinehart as Rinehart published her first novel … Continue reading
I shouldn’t have, but did
Beach Buddy, aka the Oceanside Trenchcoat Guy, and I attend Coffee with a Cop in Oceanside every month. Barnes & Noble hosted the July event. While Bruce was filming a live video on the patio, I went into the store … Continue reading
Brouhaha at the carnival
[Note: I confess that this essay is very badly written (and you know it is very badly written when I use two adverbs together to describe it). Sadly, over the years, I have downloaded too many freebie e-novels that weren’t … Continue reading
Posted in Writing
Tagged amusement booths, brouhaha, carnival, motorcycle exhibition, photo booth, police officer
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Ideas are up for grabs
When it comes to choosing beta readers, an aspiring author recently commented that he doesn’t accept beta readers who are strangers to him. He’s afraid they might steal his ideas. Probably not. I wouldn’t. When it comes to choosing recreational … Continue reading
Self-promotion might work the second time around
Years ago, when I lived in Arizona, I created a business card with a link to the only blog I had at the time. I also included a small icon of an antique automobile and a tagline on the card. The … Continue reading
Posted in Potpourri
Tagged antique automobile, business card, painted rocks, shameless self-promotion
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Yes, I’m an editor, but . . .
I don’t think it’s a big deal if someone who isn’t a journalist/author makes a grammar error when commenting on FB or Twitter. Most people probably post in a hurry and hit enter before looking at their text. However, when … Continue reading
Posted in Editing
Tagged affect, author, editor, effect, grammar error, journalist, media website
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Apparently, my plot suggestion did not go over well
Someone recently asked my advice regarding their (the generic their) historical novel in progress. Their hero was orphaned when his criminal parents were hanged. The aspiring author, who lives in a western state, asked me to let them know what crime would … Continue reading
WestWord Arizona 