Expert tips from a nurse-turned-writer

Hello writers,

I have to confess something. Something you may already know. I changed the subject line of my last newsletter last-minute and it had a typo… It read:

“Writing that keep readers”

After the embarrassment tsunami faded from my nervous system, I was able to laugh at myself. And I didn’t even get any unsubscribes! (Thanks for your support despite the snafu...)

Anyway, here’s to you and no typos this week!

Talk soon,

WRITING TIP OF THE WEEK

Editing types demystified

After my moronic subject line error, this seems as good a week as any to talk about self-editing your pieces. Although I’ve always loved writing, I did not know many terms now familiar to me, including “structural edits” and “line edits.”

I once had a client ask me if I’d done both, and I panic-Googled each before I could hazard a guess at my answer. Turns out, editing types aren’t universal, and different editors have slightly different definitions. But after reading through a ton of options, I found these came up the most often:

1. Structural/developmental edits

Structural edits adjust your big picture. Most info on these types of edits focuses on works of fiction: managing character arcs and plot development.

For nonfiction articles, sometimes your assigning editor manages most of this by providing a detailed outline. If not, you may need to do a more thorough job of shaping the story to make sure your piece makes sense as a whole.

2. Line/copy edits

Line edits adjust your style and structure, checking for overall flow, phrasing, and tone. This is where you may need to adjust for brand voice or rearrange a few things so it makes better sense to your readers.

3. Proofreading

Proofreading edits look for typos. That’s pretty much it. (But tell me if I’m missing some finesse here!)

All three of these have an important job: making your work stand apart. Be honest: did you know these already?

TRIVIA-PALOOZA

Sci-fi oldie

Your trivia question for the week is…

💡Who did C.S. Lewis base the protagonist of his Space Trilogy on?💡

(The answer’s at the bottom!)

FREELANCER/INDIE AUTHOR CORNER

The most super of all the users

I got an email from ClickUp a few weeks ago congratulating me on being dubbed a “superuser.” I use ClickUp every. Single. Day. So I guess I’ll wear that badge proudly.

I’ve tried just about every project management tool out there including Notion and Asana, but for my needs, ClickUp is the bomb-diggity.

Here’s how I use it:

When I get assigned a project, I break it up into chunks. (This is the only way my brain can do it.) You can see my color-coded ways in the pic above. Here’s what it means:

• Purple: Outline

• Dark pink: First draft

• Bright blue: Second draft

• Yellow: Final review and submission

• Light pink: I still need expert interviews/responses

• Gray: Repeating tasks

• Light blue: Administrative tasks

This method allows me to block out my time week by week, so I know pretty much exactly how much work I have, and where I have room in my schedule for more.

If I have a larger project, like a white paper or e-book, I will put multiple first and second draft blocks in my calendar. Some people like to work through their outlining and drafts in one go, but my squirrel brain needs to move around a lot.

This way, I get a break (and usually a sleep or two) and can look at the piece with fresh eyes when I come back. And ClickUp lets me do that.

(Dear ClickUp, feel free to pay me for this unabashed love letter/ad, if you see it.)

‘Til next time

Thanks for reading and see you in a few weeks!

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MY AUTHOR BOOKSHELF

💡 Find the trivia answer HERE 💡