How to make your own editing rules sheet

Published on January 27, 2016February 26, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell15 Comments

Professionally known as a Style Sheet.

I’m not referring to a list of what matches what hanging in your closet.

Or the hottest trends from InStyle Magazine.

No, this is a document where you define the writing style and rules that apply to your WIP.

Is the style of your WIP American or British English?
Do you use contractions? (This is one of my problems. Sometimes I feel like a contraction sometime I don’t.)
Are you going to spell out the numbers or not?

See where I’m going? Finding these errors first is very important to presenting quality work to an editor that you’ve done some of your own redline editing.

I call mine a cheat sheet. Some writers use an electronic file folder, others like Scrivener’s templates to help with character info to keep the story uniform.

But, now that I understand the importance of an actual Style Sheet is, I’m going to streamline the process for my next project.

Why do I want to use a Style Sheet like Sue Archer shares in her blog? Because my “cheat sheet” has grown into a large folder. And as such, too big to be of much use.

This one sheet, when applied to each individual project will make polishing my stories much easier. You might want to click on Sue Archer’s blog and check out the template she provided. I did.

Robin Rivera gives 3 Reasons Authors Need Style Sheets

Take special note of #2. Amazon will soon be holding writers to a higher standard and consistency in our books will be more important than ever.

Hopefully, using this process will produce a more professional piece and prevent an editor from cringing at first glance.

What about y’all?

Do you use a Style Sheet for consistency? For editing?

If not, what do you use?

Talk to me people. My inquiring mind wants to know.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Do you want to know more? Read more!

Published on January 25, 2016January 23, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell13 Comments

Don’t you just love the internet!

It’s so easy to spend hours reading article after article on how to do any and everything from, publishing an ebook to refinishing a table.

First off, let me start by saying I am not an expert. I’m still learning, but I’ve learned a lot over the last few years. A lot about writing, publishing and blogging. The world-wide web is a wonderful place. And with the help of other writers, editors and bloggers learning more every day. One thing I’ve learned. There is only so much editing a writer can do on their own.

Unless you are a professional editor, hire one. This is one thing, it’s best not to do yourself. At least not all of it. For a book to be edited to a polished spit shine it takes a professional.

So If you’re looking for an editor here are a few tips.

First, a couple of don’ts.

For the love of God, don’t ask friends to edit your book.
- Well, I guess it’s okay if you have too many friends and this one has gotten on your last nerve.
And, unless you hate your family, don’t ask Aunt Tillie, that’s got disaster written all over it.
- Of course, maybe you don’t want to attend Thanksgiving dinner next year.

Now that we’ve gotten the don’ts out-of-the-way, where do you find an editor?

You can start at your local library.

This might surprise you, they might fuss because you didn’t bring back that book from 1989 but they’ll still help you out.

You can ask for referrals on Linked In

I found my wonderful editor through a contact on Linked In.

After you’ve found an editor – now what?

Ask lots of questions.

Do they have a website?

Does the website look professional?
Having a website is not a must but it does raise more questions?

Does their style match yours? The correct genre.

Remember, different strokes for different folks. Blood and guts, BDSM, or Hot in Texas is not everyone’s cup of tea. If you write murder mysteries, but they edit children’s books this editor is going to barf at the first bloody scene.

What is their price?

Ask for a flat fee based on your project. You don’t want any last-minute surprises.
Don’t know about you, but I don’t have money to burn!
Will they charge for additional consultation should you want a last look-see?

When is payment due?

Will they provide a sample based on your manuscript?
Most editors will edit a section of your book so that you can see how they work.
This should be done before a contract is signed.

Ask for details of the editing services they will provide.

Grammar, rewrite suggestions, flow, structure, concept, etc.

Determine and understand the expected schedule.

Remember, you aren’t their only client – chill.
The editor is an artist too. Patience is a virtue.

Someone, once said, “Information is power,” or something like that. So don’t be afraid to ask questions.

What did I forget? What questions did you ask your editor?

What did you learn about editing your first book?

Tell me in the comments section.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Sometimes the easiest is the most direct

Published on January 22, 2016April 10, 2018 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

Like, use what is right in front of me. There’s not a long learning curve with a program I already know. Duh!

This appears to be a lesson I seem destined to learn the hard way over and over.

After spending all day, and I do mean all day, researching and downloading various programs I figured out what I’d been using was the best all along. Go back to the tried and true.

All that time wasted. Sometimes I’m so hard-headed.

However, one good thing did come out of it.

I came across a valuable post filled with information. Information that I did need.

Do you know how many pages a children’s picture book should have?

Do you know how it should be constructed? Exactly?

Picture Book Dummy, Picture Book Construction: Know Your Layout by Tara Lazar

You see, my editor had just suggested I make up a dummy of my new children’s book before going in further. She thought a dummy might help me get a handle on the correct size of the book and the illustrations.

So I guess my day wasn’t wasted after all.

Thanks, Ms. Lazar for this timely bit of info. With your post maybe I’ll avoid a lot of mistakes.

Now this dummy is off to lay out a dummy of

“A Most Reluctant Princess.”

I hope some of y’all find the information as helpful as I did. If you did, talk to me…

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdell and Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to with a click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Do you know how to write a synopsis or summary?

Published on January 20, 2016January 19, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell21 Comments

I’ve got about ten different ones written different summaries, synopsis or whatever for the same WIP. Yes, you heard right. I don’t like any of them, but I keep trying.

That’s why I was so excited to read this post today.

I loved how Bridget from Now Novel, has a no-nonsense approach to writing a synopsis.

Hand slap to the forehead, KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) Jean.

Sometimes I need to be reminded to stop adding purple prose and keep to the facts.

Remember the synopsis is the appetizer, a teaser, something to tantalize the would be reader. Not a the CliffNotes version. If you tell them too much, they may not have an incentive to read the book.

Stick to the facts, sprinkle with a tiny bit of spice, so the synopsis won’t be bland, and stir lightly.