Comments for Be Your Own Editor

Comment on A Word on “Actually” by Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 23:37:00 +0000

I have not noticed this but it makes me wonder if people who use it a lot in writing, use it in the speaking world. I tend to over use it when I talk but I rarely ever use it when writing.

Comment on A Word on “That” by Drica

Drica — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 05:29:27 +0000

Thank God, I found this site. I just did exactly what Emma said and found 600 thats on my manuscript.

Comment on Track Changes: Don’t Let It Fall into the Wrong Hands by Computer News

Computer News — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:00:19 +0000

My brother in law would appreciate this blog post. We were just talking about this. lol

Comment on Query Letters: Ten Ways to Hook a Literary Agent by Matthieu

Matthieu — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:09:22 +0000

Considerably, the article is really the sweetest on this noteworthy topic. I harmonise with your conclusions and will thirstily look forward to your approaching updates. Just saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the wonderful clarity in your writing. I will instantly grab your rss feed to stay informed of any updates. Gratifying work and much success in yourbusiness enterprize!

Comment on Writers’ Journal Magazine: A Resource for Newbies by Oscar K.

Oscar K. — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:47:54 +0000

Nice write up…usually I never reply to these thing but this time I will,Thanks for the great info.

Comment on Query Letters For Short Stories by Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:26:19 +0000

Debbie,

In the case of this article, the terms “query letter” and “cover letter” are used interchangeably, because it refers to the submission of short stories to literary magazines, etc., and they don’t generally require a synopsis for such short works. If you were sending a query to a publisher or an agent regarding a full-length manuscript, then yes, it would normally include a synopsis.

Comment on Query Letters For Short Stories by Debbie Wheeland

Debbie Wheeland — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:08:22 +0000

thanks for the info very helpful,, but I am confused, isn’t a query letter and a cover letter to separate things?

Would a query letter contain information about the manuscript?
for example

thank you for considering my unpublished manuscript, An Adoption Miracle. for publication. My story involves the lives of three people, the birth mother and the adoptive couple. A series of events happened which challenged the adoptive parents faith. I believe you will find this story heartwarming.

Is that not necessary to say in a query letter, to give some details about the story?

I appreciate your reply thank you
debsfive@hotmail.com

Comment on Query Letters For Short Stories by Stresspersonalities.com

Stresspersonalities.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:59:58 +0000

That sounds interesting. Found your blog through Google, you got some good rankings!

Comment on Google Defines the Writer by Don Chatfield

Don Chatfield — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:54:17 +0000

Thanks. To get the online dictionaries included, I just type the word I want followd by a space and then the word “define, e.g.,

Comment on A Word on “Actually” by Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:11:55 +0000

I do think the word “actually” carries meaning in the example I gave, though the sentence could be improved upon by removing “actually” and changing “gaze” to a different verb. (Since when does “gaze” convey surprise?) Thanks for providing a better example.

Also, there’s a big difference in tone between a period and an exclamation point. I try to avoid the use of exclamation points in fiction, but that’s just a personal preference.