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Do You Need a Writing Coach?

September 1, 2015 by Meet Brenda 2 Comments

Many readers are also aspiring authors and writers. I hope one day to spend most of my days writing fiction rather than writing blog posts and being a writing coach and editor (even though that is fun, too).

For a long time, I thought my writing was probably good enough to get published without the help of anyone else, but now I am not nearly so naive. I’ve thought a lot about looking for a writing coach to help push me toward the next level of writing skills.

Stuck in a writing rut? You may need a writing coach! Find out why in this post from Daily Mayo.
Photo copyright: Stancu Alexandru/Freeimages.com

As I was thinking about it, I came up with a list of benefits that any writing coach can provide and help you reach your ultimate writing goals:

Why You Need a Writing Coach

A coach can act like a soft deadline: If you have someone looking over your work, then you are both more motivated to write and more motivated to avoid lazy writing. This is helpful for someone as busy as I am these days.

A writing coach can help you write better: A writing coach is going to see any mistakes in your work and help you take care of them before the publisher sees your work. This is an invaluable resource and could be the difference between a publisher giving you the thumbs up or thumbs down.

A writing coach will know the right people: Right now, I know perhaps two people who are in the publishing industry? A writing coach who has been published in the past can help direct you toward the people who need to see your work. If they are in the same industry/genre as you are, they may even be able to introduce your work to the publisher who published them (if it is good enough).

A  coach can be a friend: Most people do not realize what is it like writing a book or trying to get published. It’s difficult and frustrating. Your writing coach will understand where you are coming from and may even be able to offer helpful stress-relieving tips.

Have you ever thought about getting a writing coach? Have you worked with one before? Share your story in the comments!

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Filed Under: Writing Tips Tagged With: write better, writing, writing coach, Writing Tips

10 Free Online Writing Courses to Improve Writing Skills

June 30, 2015 by Meet Brenda 11 Comments

We all want to write better. But just like any other skill, becoming a better writer takes time, energy, and often money (and numerous trips to the library)!

However, it’s your wallet’s lucky day as I’ve managed to find a list of free online writing courses to improve writing skills that still take time and energy, but at least they don’t take money.

Do you want to improve your writing skills but don't have a large budget? These 10 free online writing courses can help you learn to write better today!

10 Free Online Writing Courses to Improve Writing Skills

If you are interested in building your writing skills, you might want to look into these free online writing courses:

Free Creative Writing Course from The Crafty Writer

This eight-part writing course covers the basics of creative writing, including how to think creatively, how to write poetry, how to write characters, how to write dialogue, and more. It’s perfect for new creative writers!

Take the course here.

Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy from MCET

This course started as a local-access TV show on an educational channel. Now the course is hosted online. The course is designed to help young (or old) writers learn techniques for creating more effective and compelling science fiction stories.

Take the course here. 

What is Good Writing? From OpenLearn

This course overviews the very basics of writing and covers topics such as styles used in writing and the importance of writing effective essays.

Take the course here. 

Intro to Humor Writing from Grace Bello

The ability to add humor to writing can make a huge difference in how enjoyable it is to read. This mini-course is video based and offers practical tips from an existing humor writer. Assignments and hands-on activities make this course worth the time.

Take the course here.

Cleaning Your Copy from Poynter News University

This free course focuses on basics of editing and improving copy before editing. The self-paced course teaches students how to use things like AP style, effective grammar, basic writing styles, and similar content.

Take the course here.

Start Writing Fiction from OpenLearn

This simple course breaks down the essential elements of fiction writing including character, setting, and genre. If you are interested in writing fiction at all (and even if you already have practice in the area) then this course can help you figure out the basics. It’s always helpful to have someone else’s prospective! Even if you never plan to write fiction, the same “storytelling” elements that make fiction work help create more compelling non-fiction copy.

Take the course here. 

Help! For Writers from Poynter News University

This course covers everything you need to know about preventing procrastination, finding the motivation to write, and other practical solutions to common writing problems. The course even offers multiple quizzes to help you determine solutions to your weakest areas.

Take the course here. 

Get Me Rewrite from from Poynter News University

This course is exactly what it sounds like- help with revision. Most writers agree that about 80 to 90 percent of effort comes in the revision process. Without the ability to revise properly, your writing suffers. This course is designed to help make writing clearer from the start to prevent common writing errors and grammar mistakes.

Take the course here. 

Writing and Reading Short Stories from MIT Open Courseware

This course simply outlines tips for creating effective and interesting short stories. The biggest advantage to this class is that it offers students hands-on practice in creating their own short stories.

Take the course here.

Core Skills for the 21st Century Journalist from Poynter News University

This course covers the basics of journalism in the 21st century covering topics like necessary skills, ethics, necessary skills, and more. Even authors and blog owners can benefit from this course, which is now offered free courtesy of The Knight Foundation.

Take the course here.

Do you want to improve your writing skills but don't have a large budget? These 10 free online writing courses can help you learn to write better today!
Copyright Alicja_Sto/ Free Images

Bonus Tip

I find I write much better when I am reading quality literature. One of my favorite ways to improve my writing is to read book quotes based on the style I want to emulate. For example, if I want to write something with an romantic tone, I read romantic quotes from books.

Have you ever taken any free online writing courses? What are your favorites? 

More Writing Tips

Feeling burned out by writing? Do all your pieces sound the same? You may be in a writing rut. Use these handy tips to get out of a writing rut fast!

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Every wonder if you need an editor for your book/writing? If you are asking the question "do I need an editor" here are 7 reasons why editors are a must.

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Want to write better? These writing tips will help you write better and become a better writer.

Learn to Write like a Professional

Stuck in a writing rut? You may need a writing coach! Find out why in this post from Daily Mayo.
Do You Need a Writing Coach?

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Filed Under: Writing Tips Tagged With: free online writing courses, online writing courses, online writing workshops, write better, write like a professional, writing, writing guide, Writing Tips

Do I Need an Editor? 7 Reasons Why Editors are Essential to the Writing Process

June 2, 2015 by Meet Brenda 3 Comments

Every wonder if you need an editor for your book/writing? If you are asking the question "do I need an editor" here are 7 reasons why editors are a must.
Even Tchaikovsky went through editing. Photo by Miami U. Libraries – Digital Collections

I see a lot of authors and writers ask the question, “do I need an editor?” I have worked both as a writer and editor. I believe writers of every type benefit from editing (in addition to writing tips).

I know how it can be frustrating to get your work back filled with markups and requested changes. Or worse, an editor tells you to change your writing with no direction (this isn’t really editing so much as criticizing). Sometimes, editors hate your writing style and will never love anything you put on a page.

As an editor, I’ve realized that beyond basic grammatical corrections, editing is often subjective. I tend to eliminate pontificating and filler phrases when I edit. Other editors prefer descriptive, flowing sentences. This is why it is important to find an editor who does love your writing style and your subject material.

7 Reasons Why Editors are Essential to the Writing Process

But, no matter what type of writing you do, the answer to the question “do I need an editor for my book (or paper or thesis)” is always “yes” and here is why:

Editors Clarify

When you’re writing, you get in the zone. You envision what you are writing about and your words flow onto a page in what you hope is a beautiful symphony of words. However, when an editor looks at your writing, she has no idea what was going on in y head when you wrote it. What you thought was a beautiful and poignant description of how rust is like life and everything eventually breaks down but still remains beautiful, the editor sees as a long rambling sentence about oxidized metal that is completely irrelevant.

An editor takes what you wrote and clarifies the meaning. Maybe it doesn’t take 200 words to make your point. Maybe it only takes 20.

Editors Focus

In my editing experience, I’ve seen a lot of writers go off onto tangents that are irrelevant or miss the guidelines entirely. An editor can help a writer focus on what needs to be said and eliminate the rest.

Editors Improve

When I’m writing, sometimes I realize that what I’m trying to say isn’t coming across quite how I would like, but I can’t think of another way to write it. An editor looks at a piece/book/whatever with fresh eyes and can help you find that new way to present the difficult section. From titles to plots, editors can really help make any piece of writing much better.

Editors Catch Mistakes

Everyone makes basic mistakes with writing. From writing loose instead of lose to more egregious errors like misspelling the name of a president, mistakes happen. Editors catch these small mistakes and make you look smarter.

Editors Know When to Let Go

Apparently, not all editors know this (specifically George RR Martin’s editors), but in most cases, an editor pares down information to the most essential parts. Today’s trend for books is “the longer the better” but the more I read the less I believe in this trend.

Now, I am far more likely to believe that 300 pages is plenty long enough for any story.

Editors Find Holes

Like George RR Martin, I have a story I’ve been working on for over 10 years (11 to be exact). Every so often, I write a lot of it at once and have my husband read it. He catches silly plot holes that I don’t even think of. My husband would be a great editor (and writer). An editor asks you, “why is this here?” “How does this drive the story (even non-fiction has a story)?” And the less popular, “this is bizarre. Get rid of it.”

Editors Reveal Your Best Writing

In short, the answer to the question, “do I need to hire an editor,” is a definitive “yes.” Editors help you become the writer you are, but more crystallized. Imagine yourself in the raw as partially congealed Jello. You kind of have shape, but it’s fluid and not very clear. An editor transforms the soupy Jello into a clearly defined ice sculpture.

Do you use an editor? Share your editor raves or horror stories with us!

Find more practical writing tips here!

Want to write better? These writing tips will help you write better and become a better writer.

Do you need an editor for your book or other writing? You’re in luck! I also offer reasonably-priced editing services.

Filed Under: Writing Tips Tagged With: benefits of editing, benefits of professional editing, do i need an editor, editing, reasons to use an editor, write better, Writing Tips

10 Common Grammar Mistakes Everyone Makes

April 3, 2015 by Meet Brenda 3 Comments

Here at Daily Mayo, every now and then I like to talk about writing tips. Today’s post is all about common grammar mistakes everyone makes.

Everyone makes grammar mistakes. Even writers with decades of experience and even professional editors still make grammar mistakes. You can study grammar all your life and still not get the hang of everything simply because not only is English grammar crazy, but much of it is subjective. Still, there are common grammar mistakes everyone makes based on the standard grammar rules. I’ve struggled with some of these grammar mistakes myself, and I bet many of you have, too!

You probably won’t be surprised by this, but my husband and I have gotten into heated arguments over several of these grammar mistakes everyone makes. Why? Mainly because we’re both always right. 🙂

 10 Common Grammar Mistakes Everyone Makes

Think you're alone in your grammar woes? Not so. These are 10 grammar mistakes everyone makes. Fix them easily with these tips!

Well/Good

This one should be easy, but it isn’t. I think of it like this:

Someone is good.

Something is well.

You are a good person, you did that well. This may not always work out, but it usually does, so I go with it.

Me/I

Commonly, I hear people use “I” when they ought to say “me.” For eaxmple, you would say “I went to the store,” so you would say, “George and I went to the store.” But you would never say “George threw a rock at I,” so you should also never say “George through rocks at Sharon and I.”

When you are the subject use “I.” When you are the object, use “me.”

Empty Words

Empty words are basically the bread of language. They fill up space, they are easy to use, but they are basically worthless. I am guilty of this and so are a lot of writers. In casual speech, empty words are allowed, but they drag down the quality of formal writing. Try to avoid these common empty words:

  • Stuff
  • There are
  • Good
  • Unique
  • Very
  • Totally
  • Completely

Bring/Take

My husband and I have almost come to blows on this one, but it turns out he was right (sigh).

Bring means to draw something closer to you, while take means to move it away from you. You would say, “George is taking me to the movies,” and George would say, “Make sure you bring money because I am not paying.”

Which/That

Which and that are easy to mix up. “That” is restrictive and “which” is relative. So, you would say, “I only eat foods that are made from chocolate,” or “Do you like fish? I recommend salmon which has many beneficial nutrients.”

Nauseous

This is actually a new one for me. Nauseous actually means that you make other people sick- kind of like noxious means a fowl odor. So, if you do feel sick, you feel nauseated. If you are nauseous, you should probably shower. Because that’s just gross.

Dangling Comparisons

This is a common grammar error when writers make a comparison, but to nothing. The writer might say, “Our hot dogs taste better!” And of course you are left questioning, “better than what?” This is often used in marketing- I’m assuming so you can fill in the comparison with whatever you want, but it is still wrong.

So, always make sure you complete the comparison. “Our hot dogs taste better than dog poop,” for example.

The Alot

Guess what? There is no such word as “alot.” It is actually two words. A and lot. I like you a lot or a little. Never alot.

Into/In To

This is another nearly violent argument I’ve had with my husband. Which spouse was right in this debate?

Into  is a phrase that indicates movement “She stepped into the shallow stream.” In to can be used in more places and usually ties in with other parts of the sentence (such as infinitive verbs like “to eat”). So, basically, you can use into whenever the phrase indicates movement and does not tie in with other parts of the sentence.

Sadly, I think my husband was also right on this one, so perhaps the wrong spouse is an editor.

Superfluous Writing

I usually see this in bot writing, but students will also do it to inflate their word counts. These are the sentences that you will see that use words that are absolutely meaningless.

Here are some superfluous phrases that make me cringe:

  • On account of the fact that
  • In that period of time
  • The fact of the matter is
  • A large proportion of
  • In conjunction with
  • For all intents and purposes

Cheers to your better grammar future.

What grammar mistakes do you hate the most? 

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Want to write better? These writing tips will help you write better and become a better writer.

Want to write better? These writing tips will help you write better and become a better writer.

Filed Under: Writing Tips Tagged With: grammar, grammar tips, learn to write, write better, writing, Writing Tips

How to Overcome Lack of Motivation When You Just Don’t Feel Good

February 23, 2015 by Meet Brenda 23 Comments

Feeling poorly? Just don't want to write? Find out how to overcome lack of motivation with these three simple tips!

Over the past couple of weeks, the slow plague of death has been working its way through our house (I am exaggerating a little).

 

First, my 8-year-old got sick with a cough. Then, a week later, the 2-year-old caught it, but her case was even worse. Yesterday, I finally caught the dreaded illness and feel terrible today.

 

But, there are still deadlines looming and stuff I must finish.

 

When you work freelance like I do, there are no paid sick days. When I take off, I take off from my income as well.

 

I know many of you are freelancers as well. Today, I’m sharing with you writing tips to overcome lack of motivation (from sickness or for any other reason).

Original photo source.

3 Simple Ways to Overcome Lack of Motivation

 

Pare the To-Do List

I always have way more on my to-do list than I can get through in a day. I always have two lists: my “must-do” list and my “hope-to-do” list.

 

Even on my “must-do” list there is some wiggle room. When I am feeling bad, I pare down my list to the very bare-bones list. If I have a lot of deadlines coming up and I know I can’t get through them because I am sick, I will ask for a deadline extension.  I’ve never had any client ever say that I couldn’t get an extension for a few days.

 

Find a Way to Perk Up

coffee rule of 3 quote

Sometimes, you are too sick to move or leave the bathroom. In these cases, nothing is likely to perk you up. But for lesser illnesses, there are things you can do to perk up a bit and push through to get the essential work done. I use the following tricks to perk up when I want to overcome lack of motivation:

 

Go outside: I am a firm believer in sunshine as a health cure. It might be extra vitamin D boosting my immune system or it might be the placebo effect, but when I go outside in the sunshine for a few minutes, I usually start to feel better. This can often give me the necessary pep and motivation to get my essential jobs done.

 

Drink coffee or tea: When I am sick, I find hot coffee and tea soothing (tea more than coffee). Hot tea feels like it can ease headaches, body aches, sore throats, congestion, and other minor health issues. Coffee has an extra boost of caffeine that can supply energy that is waning from illness. Even on regular days I often depend on coffee to overcome lack of motivation.

Dress up: When I am sick and wearing pajamas all day, I feel like I should be lounging around all day binge watching HGTV. While this is good for my body (I think), it isn’t good for pushing through my to-do list. I find that when I dress up, put on some makeup and brush my hair, I feel a little better and find it easier to knock out that essential to-do list.

Remove Distractions

Distractions will keep me from working any day, but distractions seem particularly powerful if I am feeling bad. This week, I had my husband take the children out one evening so I could finish up my essential work before collapsing in bed.

Push Through

Sometimes, there are no tricks to it. If you have to get a job done, sometimes you just have to suck it up, act like an adult, and get the job done no matter how crappy you feel. It is easier to relax and focus on getting better when you don’t feel guilty about missing a deadline or having to skip a project.

Overcome Lack of Motivation and Get Stuff Done

Illnesses are inconvenient, but I find that these strategies help me wrap up any looming deadlines so I can focus on getting better without sacrificing income or feeling guilty. Sometimes being a freelance writer is tough, and during sickness is certainly one of those times!
How do you overcome lack of motivation when you don’t feel well or just don’t feel like working?

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Filed Under: Writing Tips Tagged With: motivation for writing, overcome lack of motivation, write better, writing help, Writing Tips

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Meet Brenda
Meet Brenda
Writer, Editor, Blogger, Book Nerd
I'm Brenda. I'm a writer and a reader.
Daily Mayo is all about having fun while reading, without rules! If you love books as much as I do, join the DM Book Lover's Club to keep up with the latest in the book world and get the DM Book Club Reading List.
Come get to know me and let's talk books!
Love Game of Thrones? Don't miss these incredibly creative presentations of Game of Thrones wall art! Perfect for the Game of Thrones fans in your life! Waiting for that next Game of Thrones book? These books like Game of Thrones offer all of the epic fantasy with none of the wait.

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