You can access the complete Authorpreneur Vault at any time by going to: https://yayserver.com/jessicaconoley/patron-vault/
The vault will be divided into: Craft Tips, Business Tips, & Mindset Tips. My hope is the different areas will help you find the type of information you’re looking for more easily.
I have a wealth of information to share with you, and will add information to the vault monthly. In addition your Patron only post will include the new vault additions, so tips should be delivered to your inbox. (If you have your notifications set to allow email updates when I post on Patreon.)
This month we’re starting with 1 craft tip & 1 craft resource for you:
CRAFT TIP “To Be” + “-ing” = writing Red Flag
Want to tighten your manuscript?
1) Search for “-ing” verbs.
2) Is your “-ing verb” preceded by a form of “to be?”
(be/am/is/our/was/were/been/have/has/had/has/do/does/did/shall/will/being/etc.) + (-ing)
3) If yes, ask yourself Do I need that “to be” verb & the “-ing” word?
In my MS, I find 99% of the time I don’t.
I like the immediacy of I sprint verses I am sprinting.
I like getting rid of the extra words. It gives me breathing room in my word count. I like when my MS has room to breathe.
CRAFT RESOURCE Standard Manuscript Formatting
3 Reasons Editors Love Standard Manuscript Format
1. It’s easy on our eyes. The double spacing, simple fonts, and wide margins minimize editor eye strain.
2. There’s room to write our notes when we edit by hand. Yes, sometimes we still print out entire manuscripts and mark them up! We notice different things while editing on paper that are often overlooked on a computer screen.
3. It lets your writing stand out. Editors and publishers are looking for high quality writing, strong characters, and complex worldbuilding. Ill formatting can be enough for an editor to put a piece down, before they ever read your writing.
Think of standard manuscript formatting as the simple, but elegant, picture frame that enhances your amazing work.
And this is cat editor Bear. (Formally Gummy Bear.) She’s very good at sleeping in the sunshine, eating, and playing the very complicated game of String in Box.