Terry Odell's Blog, page 288

Editing: The Next Step

Yesterday I mentioned printing out your document in two columns, using a font different from the one you use to write your manuscript. The advantages: Your eye sees things differently. First, the line breaks will come at different places. This means the words line up differently, and things you haven't noticed will jump out at you. Also, the narrower columns mean your eye can take in a whole "

Back to the Edits

Wow! March already. I've got a new contest running, so check the Contest Tab above. And check out Daily Cheap Reads. WHAT'S IN A NAME? was a February Best Seller. Do you have a copy yet? Only $2.99 (click the 'books' tab for details)Thanks to Rachel for her blogging tips. I'm guilty of rambling, even when I try to keep things short. In an effort to avoid posts that go on and on, I did manage to

Bloggers Beware

Rachel Firasek is an urban fantasy and paranormal romance author by night, and an office manager by day. She began her world of serious blogging in November of 2010 and has since found the key, or so she thinks, to a successful author blog. The jury's still out on that one, but she has figured out what type of blog she loves to read and which one she'll skim past. Here's what she's discovered:1.

Another Word Tutorial

What I'm reading: Death Roll, by Marilyn Victor and Michael Allen MalloryReminder: Today is the last day to take advantage of the 50% off coupon at Smashwords for When Danger Calls. Click the contest tab for the code.Also: Did you notice the RomCon icon in the sidebar? I'll be at RomCon in Denver; would love to meet some of you, and maybe the $20 price reduction will help. Click the icon to

And the Winner is...

Thanks to everyone for leaving comments on Carolyn's post. The winner of a copy of her book, THE BIG GRABOWSKI is Sharon Ervin.Sharon - email Carolyn to claim your prize.Congratulations!

Friday Field Trip - South Dakota Badlands

First - don't forget. February is almost over, and with it, the 'everybody wins' contest. Click the contest tab for details. My photographer son, Jason Odell (for those who haven't 'met' him here before) is taking us to the South Dakota Badlands this week. And, if you'd like to take pictures like these, Jason is leading a field trip to the area June 9-12. Join him for some hands-on personal

Will You Still Need Me?

I know I said I was going to talk about my word-culling and editing in today's post, but you know what? It's my birthday, and I'm going to take the day off. (If you're looking for something to do, I can point you to a few books you might enjoy!)Come back tomorrow - Jason's taking us to the South Dakota Badlands (and he's offering a way for you to go with him and learn some of his techniques!)

A Writer's Day

Thanks to Carolyn for yesterday's entertaining post. Remember, you can enter the drawing for her book through Friday, so if you haven't left a comment, scroll down and leave one under her post. And PLEASE pop over to SOS Aloha, where I was interviewed.So, what do writers do all day? (Aside from sitting around in comfy clothes?) Here's a quick recap of all the things that count as 'writing' but

A Writer's Dress Code?

I'd like to welcome Carolyn J. Rose to my blog today. After 25 years as a television news researcher, writer, producer, and assignment editor in Arkansas, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington, she teaches novel-writing in Vancouver, Washington, and founded the Vancouver Writers' Mixers. Her hobbies are reading, gardening, and not cooking.Over the course of my life, I've had to adhere to a number of

Over and Over and Overused Words

What I'm reading: Marrying Daisy Bellamy, by Susan WiggsFirst – I've learned that my next Five Star release, WHERE DANGER HIDES, the second in my Blackthorne, Inc. series, is available for pre-order at Amazon. If you haven't already read the first in the series, WHEN DANGER CALLS, you can get it at the discounted price of $1.50 at Smashwords by using the coupon code found in the Contest tab above