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Write It Right: Tips For Authors
Written and compiled by award-winning novelist Mary Deal, Write it Right - Tips for Authors is a major source of information for breathing life into your prose. Learn how to polish your writing with tips and examples, and make your prose leap off the page.
Writing your opus, you may have encountered myriad questions about imperfect areas that you stumble across in the composition. The thoroughly explained tips offered in Write it Right - Tips for Authors clarify these worrisome issues, instead of simply taking a chance they'll be acceptable.
These thorough and often humorous tips were written in response to author queries for articles that explain various problematic aspects, including:
Grammar and punctuation
Narration
Character development and dialogue
Preparing your manuscript for submission
Your public image
If your writing hasn't been perfectly smooth, you'll find answers to your questions in Write it Right - Tips for Authors.
Writing your opus, you may have encountered myriad questions about imperfect areas that you stumble across in the composition. The thoroughly explained tips offered in Write it Right - Tips for Authors clarify these worrisome issues, instead of simply taking a chance they'll be acceptable.
These thorough and often humorous tips were written in response to author queries for articles that explain various problematic aspects, including:
Grammar and punctuation
Narration
Character development and dialogue
Preparing your manuscript for submission
Your public image
If your writing hasn't been perfectly smooth, you'll find answers to your questions in Write it Right - Tips for Authors.
502 pages, Paperback
Published June 5, 2019
11 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Mary Deal
24 books152 followersMary Deal is an Amazon International bestselling, award-winning, multi-genre author of suspense/thrillers, romance, a short story collection, writers’ references, and self-help. She is a Pushcart Prize nominee, Artist and Photographer, and former newspaper columnist and magazine editor. After losing her beloved partner of 31 years, she is has written a memoir about surviving the grief period. That book is meant to help others and is due out in a few weeks.
She has traveled and has a lifetime of diverse experiences, all of which remain in memory as fodder for her fiction. A native of California’s Sacramento River Delta, where some of her stories are set, she has lived in England, the Caribbean, the Hawaiian Islands, and now resides in Garner, No. Carolina. Also, her paintings and photography are used to create gorgeous personal and household products.
Her Website:
http://www.marydeal.com
Amazon Author Page: http://tinyurl.com/3z8pm31
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/MaryDeal
She has traveled and has a lifetime of diverse experiences, all of which remain in memory as fodder for her fiction. A native of California’s Sacramento River Delta, where some of her stories are set, she has lived in England, the Caribbean, the Hawaiian Islands, and now resides in Garner, No. Carolina. Also, her paintings and photography are used to create gorgeous personal and household products.
Her Website:
http://www.marydeal.com
Amazon Author Page: http://tinyurl.com/3z8pm31
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/MaryDeal
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 31, 2022
After reading seven novels by Mary Deal, I ordered her non-fiction book, 'Write it Right: Tips for Authors,' last week, as I wanted to understand how this author approaches her work. All her novels and short stories are 5-star reads for me, so what's the secret? Perhaps if you read this book, you'll find out. I devoured it over two days because it's easy and organized in small chunks, making it something I could peruse throughout the weekend whenever I had thirty minutes available. It's the kind of instructional guide that you can refer to many times in the future, so it'll be kept on my Kindle in an easy-to-access collection.
The book is an overall approach to the writing craft and publishing processes. Divided into sections pertaining to topics such as self-publishing, editing, story creation, and marketing, you'll find short chapters with bulleted hints and narrative that offer suggestions for the newbie or the seasoned professional. Not everything in the book is meant for every writer, unless you are completely new to the craft. It's meant to provide reminders and tips for authors who need a shove from time to time, too. Perhaps you struggle with when to use 'had' in writing past tense when talking about something from a long time ago. Maybe you forget that Americans don't often use the 's' in toward / towards or backward / backwards. It's the little things that get us authors, and this book is one that will help make your writing even stronger.
Although I read every word, I plan to re-read certain sections. Some of the components take a while to sink in. If you read something and move on too quickly, you might miss the value Deal's provided in her advice. Writers often think they've perfected something after enough edits, but you will always find more in another round. How do you know when you're truly done? Read that section... and you'll walk away with great advice and a new approach. I plan to flip through this again when I am in the editing phase of my next novel. I'm confident this will help me fix a few additional issues I hadn't noticed. I also plan to re-review the marketing section next month, as there were some fantastic ideas I plan to test soon.
Many writers write a book about how to write. (Try saying that too quickly!) The difference with Deal's book is that she knows how much to say about each topic. It's never preachy. It's always straightforward. It's options to consider, not hard and fast rules in all instances, e.g. the use of a prologue. Personally, I love them. Deal points out why these might not be so good. I understand her points and will take those into consideration when I write one, as she's not saying "Don't do it!" She's saying "Do it properly!"
The other fun part about the book is that Deal provides examples from writers we all know (the good and the bad). She points out her own mistakes. She provides samples of her work to show us how she's included her tips, including a full-length story from one of her collections. I highly recommend this book as the kind you keep on the shelf or handy in your Kindle... you'll find yourself re-visiting it frequently, and this is the sign of a very worthy and finely produced tool.
The book is an overall approach to the writing craft and publishing processes. Divided into sections pertaining to topics such as self-publishing, editing, story creation, and marketing, you'll find short chapters with bulleted hints and narrative that offer suggestions for the newbie or the seasoned professional. Not everything in the book is meant for every writer, unless you are completely new to the craft. It's meant to provide reminders and tips for authors who need a shove from time to time, too. Perhaps you struggle with when to use 'had' in writing past tense when talking about something from a long time ago. Maybe you forget that Americans don't often use the 's' in toward / towards or backward / backwards. It's the little things that get us authors, and this book is one that will help make your writing even stronger.
Although I read every word, I plan to re-read certain sections. Some of the components take a while to sink in. If you read something and move on too quickly, you might miss the value Deal's provided in her advice. Writers often think they've perfected something after enough edits, but you will always find more in another round. How do you know when you're truly done? Read that section... and you'll walk away with great advice and a new approach. I plan to flip through this again when I am in the editing phase of my next novel. I'm confident this will help me fix a few additional issues I hadn't noticed. I also plan to re-review the marketing section next month, as there were some fantastic ideas I plan to test soon.
Many writers write a book about how to write. (Try saying that too quickly!) The difference with Deal's book is that she knows how much to say about each topic. It's never preachy. It's always straightforward. It's options to consider, not hard and fast rules in all instances, e.g. the use of a prologue. Personally, I love them. Deal points out why these might not be so good. I understand her points and will take those into consideration when I write one, as she's not saying "Don't do it!" She's saying "Do it properly!"
The other fun part about the book is that Deal provides examples from writers we all know (the good and the bad). She points out her own mistakes. She provides samples of her work to show us how she's included her tips, including a full-length story from one of her collections. I highly recommend this book as the kind you keep on the shelf or handy in your Kindle... you'll find yourself re-visiting it frequently, and this is the sign of a very worthy and finely produced tool.
May 30, 2020
Write it Right: Tips for Authors by Mary Deal.
Write it Right is the type of book that all budding writers need beside them, on their desks as they write. Available to pick it up and flick through whenever you have a doubt. Whether it’s looking for storyline inspiration, confirming a suspicion, resolving a query or avoiding pitfalls, this is the book for you. I
I would highly recommend this invaluable resource, not only for those who are just starting out but also for veteran writers. It is jam-packed full of constructive advice from a best-selling author and it's all readily available at your fingertips for a fraction of the normal cost of such books. From grammar and character building to editing and marketing. This book is a little gem.
If I were you, I'd...
Buy it Right … now,
Read it Right… to the end, and
Write it Right!
Write it Right is the type of book that all budding writers need beside them, on their desks as they write. Available to pick it up and flick through whenever you have a doubt. Whether it’s looking for storyline inspiration, confirming a suspicion, resolving a query or avoiding pitfalls, this is the book for you. I
I would highly recommend this invaluable resource, not only for those who are just starting out but also for veteran writers. It is jam-packed full of constructive advice from a best-selling author and it's all readily available at your fingertips for a fraction of the normal cost of such books. From grammar and character building to editing and marketing. This book is a little gem.
If I were you, I'd...
Buy it Right … now,
Read it Right… to the end, and
Write it Right!
October 25, 2023
This book is a fabulous resource to have! Oh. My. Gosh.
Whether you’re a brand spankin’ new writer or you’ve been at authoring for 20 plus years, this book will have most everything you need to know to get started off correctly. If it doesn’t, she gives you tips on *what* to look for.
She keeps all of her points short and easy on the eyes to read. I am very appreciative of that little fact as sometimes I can get overwhelmed. I will say though, there are some new things that I am learning right now.
I have been taking notes to add my thoughts on the topic as I go along and highlighting important points to keep in mind.
All in all, I believe this book will prove itself to be a invaluable tool to keep under my belt and it will most likely take a “beating” over the years. I’m looking forward to seeing what treasures I can mine from this book!
Whether you’re a brand spankin’ new writer or you’ve been at authoring for 20 plus years, this book will have most everything you need to know to get started off correctly. If it doesn’t, she gives you tips on *what* to look for.
She keeps all of her points short and easy on the eyes to read. I am very appreciative of that little fact as sometimes I can get overwhelmed. I will say though, there are some new things that I am learning right now.
I have been taking notes to add my thoughts on the topic as I go along and highlighting important points to keep in mind.
All in all, I believe this book will prove itself to be a invaluable tool to keep under my belt and it will most likely take a “beating” over the years. I’m looking forward to seeing what treasures I can mine from this book!
November 25, 2019
Mary Deal has produced a book that every aspiring author, and even those with experience, should read.
She deals with every aspect of writing, from the beginning, when the book is just the germ of an idea, to the end, when the book is published and the dreaded marketing begins.
If you have no other book on writing, this should be the one you buy. It should be required reading for every author.
The book is easy to read, with no complicated explanations. She talks about the importance of editing and getting your manuscript the best it can be. She mentions how you can improve your plot, and how important characters are in getting the poblic to read and enjoy. Then she goes into the best ways of formatting your book for publishing, and the importance of the cover art.
There is little or nothing she doesn't cover in this amazing book. If you are a writer, or an aspiring one, buy this book now.
She deals with every aspect of writing, from the beginning, when the book is just the germ of an idea, to the end, when the book is published and the dreaded marketing begins.
If you have no other book on writing, this should be the one you buy. It should be required reading for every author.
The book is easy to read, with no complicated explanations. She talks about the importance of editing and getting your manuscript the best it can be. She mentions how you can improve your plot, and how important characters are in getting the poblic to read and enjoy. Then she goes into the best ways of formatting your book for publishing, and the importance of the cover art.
There is little or nothing she doesn't cover in this amazing book. If you are a writer, or an aspiring one, buy this book now.
November 30, 2019
The book for review is “Write It Right: Tips For Authors” by Mary Deal. This book falls in the genre of writing.
Are you a new writer? Are you one who has been writing for a few years now? Well, odds are you are always learning about your craft to improve your writing.
Inside, “ Write It Right: Tips for Authors” you will find a treasure trove of information for writers of all kind regardless where you are at now.
It covers the basic when it comes to grammar and editing, character development, writing rules, writing prompts and all the way up to getting your manuscript ready to submit to publishers.
But this is such a small sample of what you will find inside. There is so much useful information that we can draw from and here it is at one’s fingertips.
I always told myself I would write such a book for fellow writers. Well, Mary has done it already. You seriously can not go wrong with this book. The price? Pennies compared to what you will take away from this book.
August 24, 2019
Mary Deal has written the Writer's Bible as far as newbies or old pros are concerned, with advice on anything from getting started, deciding to publish, links to valuable resources, articles by established sooths, books to have at one's fingertips while writing, who to read, inside secrets, how to write a query letter, bios, elevator pitches, how to find an agent, HOW TO WRITE! and so much more.
Although a published author, I'm going to save this book on my Kindle and refer to it time and again as an invaluable reference manual / resource, and more, a journey into the mind of an award-winning author and a fireside chat with an expert.
Although a published author, I'm going to save this book on my Kindle and refer to it time and again as an invaluable reference manual / resource, and more, a journey into the mind of an award-winning author and a fireside chat with an expert.
September 10, 2019
This is a comprehensive & easy to read guide that should be purchased by all budding authors. It gives clarity & focus on how to tackle your genre & characters, storylines & plots, grammar & covers, plus much more. Not only would new writers garner great tips from this volume, but seasoned & published authors should take a look too as it tackles some difficult topics such as writer’s block. Many of the resources are U.S. based, but a quick google threw up lots of similar suggestions. What better way to write like a pro than by learning from a best-selling author who knows her subject. Very insightful.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews