Zoe M. McCarthy's Blog, page 8
March 28, 2019
Dangling Modifiers Don’t Have the Right Word to Modify
Tailor Your Fiction Manuscript in 30 Days is now available. See details below. Two weeks ago, I gave examples of misplaced modifiers. Today we’ll look at examples of dangling modifiers: phrases or clauses that are not logically related to the words they modify. They jar and confuse readers. Participial phrases can be dangling modifiers. Watch out […]
The post Dangling Modifiers Don’t Have the Right Word to Modify appeared first on Zoe M. McCarthy.
March 21, 2019
9 Writing Tips from Author Pamela S. Thibodeaux
My guest today is Pamela S. Thibodeaux. She will share her writing advice with us. More about her new book, Love in Season, follows her post. Pam’s Tips 1. Read. Read extensively in your genre and out. Take note of phrases and descriptions that capture your imagination or make your heart sing and mind race. I’ve yet to […]
The post 9 Writing Tips from Author Pamela S. Thibodeaux appeared first on Zoe M. McCarthy.
March 14, 2019
Misplaced Modifiers Confuse Your Readers
Tailor Your Fiction Manuscript in 30 Days is now available. See details below. A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause placed awkwardly in a sentence. The modifier is improperly separated from the word it modifies and appears to modify or refer to an unintended word. Examples will make this problem clear. Misplaced modifiers are […]
The post Misplaced Modifiers Confuse Your Readers appeared first on Zoe M. McCarthy.
March 7, 2019
Why Spend the Money to Attend Writers Conferences?
Tailor Your Fiction Manuscript in 30 Days isnow available. See details below. I attend two to three conferences per year, usually two Christian writers conferences and a secular one. I’ve been to 8 different conferences across the U.S. The list below from my experience may help you decide whether you want to spend the […]
The post Why Spend the Money to Attend Writers Conferences? appeared first on Zoe M. McCarthy.
February 28, 2019
For Story Believability, Set Up Particulars in Advance
Tailor Your Fiction Manuscript in 30 Days isnow available. See details below Have you ever raised your eyebrows at something like this? In a contemporary romance, an accountan grabs an épée from a castle wall and fights expertly with the castle owner. Smaller events then that can cause readers to shake their heads or […]
The post For Story Believability, Set Up Particulars in Advance appeared first on Zoe M. McCarthy.
February 21, 2019
5 Tips for Authors to Keep Writing-Related Tasks Straight
Tailor Your Fiction Manuscript in 30 Days now available. See details below. I’ll share what I do to keep the writing, marketing, financial, pay-it-forward, and event tasks straight. I hope other authors will share what they do. Now that I have eight books in different stages of publishing, I’d welcome more suggestions. Tip 1: Make […]
The post 5 Tips for Authors to Keep Writing-Related Tasks Straight appeared first on Zoe M. McCarthy.
February 14, 2019
4 Ways to Prevent Errors from Invading Your Books
Tailor Your Fiction Manuscript in 30 Days now available. See details below. We’ve all heard, “Hire an editor.” And I do. Here are four other things you can do to avoid errors in your book. 1. Check for typos in the changes you make during editing. Sometimes deadlines make it easy for typos and other […]
The post 4 Ways to Prevent Errors from Invading Your Books appeared first on Zoe M. McCarthy.
February 7, 2019
Why Push Yourself to Write More Books?
Tailor Your Fiction Manuscript in 30 Days is in online bookstores. Learn more at the end of the post. You’ve probably heard, “The best marketing tool is to write more good books.” How can writing more books help you as an author? Here’s a list of reasons that may have potential for you. I hope […]
The post Why Push Yourself to Write More Books? appeared first on Zoe M. McCarthy.
January 31, 2019
Is My Story Idea Speculative Fiction?
Like me, you may have an idea for a grabbing bizarre story but you’re not sure if it’s truly speculative fiction. Like me, you may not be sure what speculative fiction is. We’re not alone. When I read several articles, I also learned much debate surrounds what speculative fiction is or includes. The definition changes […]
The post Is My Story Idea Speculative Fiction? appeared first on Zoe M. McCarthy.
January 24, 2019
Writers, Tap a Spouse to Help with Your Writing Career
Don’t discount this viable option. It could work for your family. I never expected the help husband John has provided me. Stage 1 When I started my writing career, John and I worked as actuaries. John was supportive in: · the time I spent writing, and · the cost and time I spent going to […]
The post Writers, Tap a Spouse to Help with Your Writing Career appeared first on Zoe M. McCarthy.
