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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Dialogue Tags: 10 Other Ways to Say "Said"
Dialogue Tags: 10 Other Ways to Say "Said"
Sep 27, 2023
Effective dialogue tags are a powerful tool in a writer’s arsenal, helping to bring characters and conversations to life. While the trusty old “said” is a reliable choice, there are countless other options to explore. If you proofread or edit creative writing, you’ve probably encountered manuscripts overloaded with “said” dialogue tags. Today, we’ll show you […]
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What Is a Beta Reader? (And How to Become One)
What Is a Beta Reader? (And How to Become One)
Apr 07, 2023
You’ve probably come across the term, but what exactly is a beta reader? In this post, we’ll break down what a beta reader does, how beta reading differs from editing, and what you can do to become one yourself. What Is a Beta Reader? A beta reader is someone who reads through a book manuscript […]
How to Become a Book Editor
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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 […]
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What Is an Antihero? (With Examples)
Nov 30, 2022
An antihero is an interesting twist on the conventional “good guy” protagonist and is something you may encounter when editing narrative fiction. In this post, we’ll explain the defining traits of this character archetype and how you can help your client to write a great antihero. What Is an Antihero? An antihero is a protagonist […]
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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?
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
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 […]