Expert tips from a nurse-turned-writer

P.S. I’m not an expert-expert, but I do make a living by stringing words together and want to share everything I learn with you!

Did I pass??

Hello writers,

I had to take my UK driving theory test last week. My text anxiety likes to rear its stupid head whenever I’m asked questions, so it wasn’t my favorite time… But it’s done. Make sure you read to the end to find out if I passed!

Talk soon,

WRITING TIP OF THE WEEK

Change up your openers

Want to hear a weird writing faux-pas? Starting too many sentences with the same word. I didn’t know I did this, but my editor once highlighted all the first words of my sentences in one paragraph and I had a “Holy crap!” moment.

Sentence start repeats are one of those sneaky, sneaky mistakes that are super easy to make. For example, here’s an edited version of a real intro I wrote for Next Avenue:

• “I was seven months pregnant. I herniated two lumbar discs after a difficult code on my unit. I then spent two days in the hospital. I came home with a walker, a shower chair and a toilet riser. I was humbled and reminded that my nursing instructors had always been right.”

First of all, I sound extremely self-absorbed… But also, all the “I’s” can quickly make your reader glaze over and stop paying attention.

Now, look at the published version:

• “At seven months pregnant, after a difficult code on my unit, I herniated two lumbar discs and spent two days in the hospital. I came home with a walker, a shower chair and a toilet riser. It was a humbling reminder that my nursing instructors had always been right.”

It doesn’t even matter if your first word is more interesting than “I.” Look at this one: “Explosions ripped through the tunnel. Explosions blasted overhead. Explosions rang in her ears.” Still weird and oddly boring.

When you switch up your sentence starters, you avoid the mundane, add emphasis where you want/need to, and keep your readers reading!

TRIVIA-PALOOZA

Billionaire writer?

Your trivia question for the week is…

💡 According to Forbes magazine in 2004, who was the first person to become a billionaire by writing books? 💡

(The answer’s at the bottom!)

HIGHLIGHT REEL

Taxes…the literal worst

I’ve never loved doing my taxes. Between the complex word-problem-style questions and my deep-seated fear of authority, reporting my income to the IRS has always induced mega-anxiety.

And then I decided to move to another country.

Go ahead. Laugh at me a little. It’s terrifying. I started a single-owner LLC in the US when I switched to full-time freelance writing in 2022 on the advice of my then-CPA. And I thought I’d done a ton of research before moving to the UK, but it turns out our tax authority here (the HMRC) reallllly doesn’t love US LLCs.

I met with a very snooty and slightly rude tax accountant last week who informed me I did everything wrong and I couldn’t afford him. Worst case, I’m looking at some major fines for “moving assets out of my LLC” (aka, transferring money for groceries and housing…cue eye roll). Medium-worst case I may get double-taxed on my US income since I’ve moved.

Buuuut I’m still hoping for the best. I met with a much nicer, less-but-still-quite-expensive tax advisor on Friday, and she eased my mind a little.

Either way, taxes suck. The end!

Do you do your own taxes? Or source that nonsense out?

IT’S PERSONAL

Driving test & Dean Village

I popped into Edinburgh last week to take my UK driving theory test. After I passed (phew!!), I decided to celebrate by taking a little extra time in the city. First, I worked for a bit on the top floor of Black Sheep Coffee with a view of Edinburgh Castle. 🤩

Then, I decided to explore. I hadn’t visited Dean Village since we moved here, so I strolled down Princes Street and followed the steep road down to the village and the Water of Leith.

In the 12th century, a group that milled (ground) grain set up shop at this spot, and at one point, the village housed 11 working mills. Beautiful, centuries-old stone buildings line the cobblestone streets and the area is mainly residential now. (Lucky ducks!)

Can’t wait to go back!

‘Til next time

Thanks for reading and see you next week!

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💡 Find the trivia answer HERE 💡