Creative Writing
An archive of posts related to editing and proofreading creative writing, including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Find out how to edit and proofread for authors and publishers.
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What Is Developmental Editing?
What Is Developmental Editing?
Jan 30, 2023
Before a manuscript is published, it goes through several stages of editing, and traditionally, each step is conducted separately. Developmental editing (also known as structural editing) is the essential first step that concerns the overall structure and content of a text. Keep reading to learn more about what’s involved in developmental editing and how it […]
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What Is an Epigraph? (And How to Format One)
What Is an Epigraph? (And How to Format One)
Jan 02, 2023
When editing novels and other types of books, you may come across an epigraph or two. But what exactly is an epigraph, and how should you approach them as an editor? We’ll explain everything you must know about these literary devices, including the different ways to format them. What’s an Epigraph? An epigraph is a […]
What Is an Antihero? (With Examples)
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Similes and Metaphors: What’s the Difference?
Nov 09, 2022
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a simile and a metaphor and how to use them in writing? If you’re an editor, particularly of creative writing and fiction, it’s important to know the difference between these two literary devices so that you can advise your client on when to use them – […]
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How to Find Work with Self-Published Authors
Nov 04, 2022
Many authors are now choosing to self-publish so they can craft their work without having to consider the limitations of publishers. But authors who go this route still need a crucial element to bring their masterpiece to completion – a qualified editor. Working as an editor for self-published authors offers many advantages, such as being […]
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What Is the Standard Manuscript Format?
Oct 28, 2022
Many publishers expect submissions to use a standard manuscript format. As a proofreader or editor, knowing what the standard format requires will allow you to better help your clients. Read on to find out what the standard manuscript format is and when it should be used. What is the Standard Manuscript Format? The standard manuscript […]
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Narrative Structure: What Are the 7 Basic Plots?
Oct 21, 2022
Often, the aim of narrative theory is to identify common plots that are used in many stories. One of the most well-known attempts in recent years is Christopher Booker’s 2004 book The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories. In this book, Booker proposes that any story will follow one of seven different plots: Understanding […]
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Narrative Structure: What Is In Medias Res?
Oct 14, 2022
Starting a story in medias res is a common technique that authors use. If you’re a creative writing editor, you should know how this narrative structure works. In this post, we’ll explain what in medias res means and how you can use your knowledge of this technique to assess your client’s writing. What Does In […]
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Narrative Structure: A Guide to Freytag’s Pyramid
Oct 05, 2022
If you’re a fiction editor, understanding narrative structure can help you assess your client’s work. One of the more common ways of conceptualizing narrative structure is Freytag’s Pyramid, which we will look at in today’s post. Read on to find out more about Freytag’s Pyramid and how to use it when editing. What is Freytag’s […]
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Narrative Structure: The Hero's Journey
Narrative Structure: The Hero's Journey
Sep 28, 2022
For anyone who edits creative writing, understanding narrative structure can be extremely useful. There are many different ways of conceptualizing narrative structure, but one of the most common is known as the Hero’s Journey. In this post, we’ll explain what the Hero’s Journey is and how you can use it when editing your client’s work. […]
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Proofreading Tips: How to Annotate a PDF
Proofreading Tips: How to Annotate a PDF
Jul 22, 2021
As a freelance proofreader, you may be asked to proofread a PDF at some point. And if you’re used to the tools in Microsoft Word, the process for marking up a different type of document can seem daunting. Once you get the hang of it, though, proofreading a PDF is simple. In this post, we’ll […]