Julie Butcher

Open for Manuscript Edits June 1-15 CLOSED

2018-05-24T11:44:00.000-05:00

What I can help you with is pacing, likability of main characters, setting up genre chapters correctly, and seeing the over and over again habits you write into your manuscript. I can help you write a page-turner.

Why do you think you're any good at this at all?

I've been beta reading since forever, not only for unpublished authors but for agented and published ones as well. Quite honestly, I was a terrible reader for the first ten years or so. I was worried about hurting people's feelings, and didn't say when a passage stunk or when something made me go what? Now I do. This is what you need to improve your writing.

Also, I remember thinking, "I wish someone would just tell me what I'm doing wrong so I can fix it." Seriously, some of you guys are wonderful writers, you have a voice, and your sentence structure is strong. But your pacing sucks or you just can't quite make your characters come alive for the reader. I can help you with that.

Why would you want to use your time like this when you could be watching Westworld or Avengers?

Quite honestly, I have six kids. Four are in college, and one is in grad school. I'd like them to stay there. Also, we like food. Food is a good thing.

Why would I want to pay for a critique when I can get one free from my own critique group?

Unless your beta readers are published or are working with a traditional agent or editor, they don't have the experience to help you. I do.

What do I get for my money?

I'll post notes throughout the manuscript using Word and Track Changes. I'll tell you where, when, and why you're messing up. I'll tell you what you're doing right, and what you shouldn't change. I'll also provide a detailed letter of what I think will improve your work.

Every writer is at a different stage of development. All writers (including me) have problems actually seeing their story because what they've written is colored by what they see in their own mind. The reader doesn't have the benefit of your imagination.

What won't you do?

I don't critique erotica. (I could be doing it wrong.) I have friends who are experts at critiquing erotica and romance. Email me and I'll recommend an editor.

I don't offer edits on picture book manuscripts because I am not qualified to do so.

I will not correct your punctuation. You need a line editor for that. I will be happy to recommend someone to line edit.

What does this cost?

First Chapter (up to 20 pages) $50.00 (If you’ve never had a critique group or writing partners, do this one as it will save you money and give you what you need to rewrite your manuscript).

First Three Chapters (up to 50 pages) $100.00

Entire Manuscript Critique is $1.50 a page.

These prices are for Times New Roman 12pt double-spaced Word documents.

How do I contact you?

You can email me at juliebutcheredits@yahoo.com

Please Help Students Be Fit

2017-02-03T14:50:00.000-06:00

Do you remember college when ramen was a delicacy and also all you could afford? I do. This was back when you could push cars out of ditches with no backache the next day. This was probably when I should have learned how to exercise instead of now, when I am way older.

We’ve tried to do better with our kids. We’ve paid for team sports and karate lessons. We supervise bike rides and hikes—all of the healthy stuff. But when they go to college, we stop.

This is my oldest daughter, Emily. She wanted to do cross fit, even though the membership to the cross fit gym was pretty darn expensive, so she found a way, turning babysitting for the gym into a membership. Unfortunately, her friends couldn’t do the same so she went through miles of paperwork and meetings at her college to get cross fit accepted as a student program. Now it is and the kids need start-up money for some equipment.

If you can even spare one dollar, I assure you it will be appreciated more than you know. Students will be able to do the new, cool, workout. They’ll blow off stress and be happier and healthier. I know that college takes (or took) a heck of a lot of your money. But these kids just want to be healthy. They’re not the athletes who have trainers and paid scholarships. They’re regular kids getting degrees in computers and business. They don’t have the frills.

Please help. https://www.gofundme.com/missouri-state-crossfit

Open for Content Edits

2016-09-06T14:03:00.000-05:00

I will begin doing content critiques again in the month of October. This means that you have from now until October 1^st 2016 to get your manuscript and payment to me. (I've been told that I need to give some of you more notice so here you go).

Anyone who sends their manuscript and payment by October 1^st will have their critique back before Thanksgiving.

How can I do this and why would you want to be told horrible things about your manuscript?

Maybe, because you want to find an agent or editor?

Why do you think you're any good at this at all?

I've been beta reading since forever, not only for unpublished authors, but for agented and published ones as well. Quite honestly, I was a terrible reader for the first ten years or so. I was worried about hurting people's feelings, and didn't say when a passage stunk or when something made me go what?! Now I do. This is what you need to improve your writing.

Also, I remember thinking, "I wish someone would just tell me what I'm doing wrong so I can fix it." Seriously, some of you guys are wonderful writers, you have a voice, your sentence structure is strong. But your pacing sucks, or you just can't quite make your characters come alive for the reader. I can help you with that.

Why would you want to use your time like this when you could be watching Dr. Who or Supernatural?

Quite honestly, I have six kids. Five are in college, and one is in private high school. I'd like them to stay there. Also we like food. Food is a good thing.

Why would I want to pay for a critique when I can get one free from my own critique group?

Unless your beta readers are published, or are working with a traditional agent or editor, they don't have the experience to help you. I do.

What do I get for my money?

I'll post notes throughout the manuscript using Word and Track Changes. I'll tell you where, when, and why you're messing up. I'll tell you what you're doing right, and what you shouldn't change. I'll also provide a detailed letter of what I think will improve your work.

Every writer is at a different stage of development. All writers (including me) have problems actually seeing their story because what they've written is colored by what they see in their own mind. The reader doesn't have the benefit of your imagination.

What won't you do?

I don't critique erotica. (For all I know I could be doing it wrong.) I have friends who are experts at critiquing erotica and romance. Email me and I'll recommend you.

I don't offer edits on picture book manuscripts because I am not qualified to do so.

I will not correct your punctuation. You need a line editor for that.

How do I contact you?

You can email me at juliebutcheredits@yahoo.com
You can check out recommendations and *like* my editing page at https://www.facebook.com/JulieButcherEdits
On twitter you can find me at https://twitter.com/Julie_Butcher

What does this cost?

First Chapter (up to 20 pages) $50.00

First Three Chapters (up to 50 pages) $100.00

Entire Manuscript Critique $1.00 a page minimum of 200 pages.

These prices are for Times New Roman 12pt font double-spaced Word documents. Nothing else.

I look forward to working with you.

Need New Eyes on Your Manuscript?

2016-04-20T09:41:00.000-05:00

I will be accepting clients for manuscript critiques from now until May 1st. So what this means is that if you get your payment and manuscript to me by then you can get a critique. If it is not here by that time, I will be starting a new manuscript myself.

Why do you think you're any good at this at all?
I've been beta reading since 1990, not only for unpublished authors, but for agented and published ones, too. Quite honestly, I was a terrible reader for the first ten years or so. I was worried about hurting people's feelings, and didn't say when a passage stunk on ice, or when something made me go WTF?! Now I do. This is what you need to improve your writing.
Also, I remember thinking, "I wish someone would just tell me what I'm doing wrong so I can fix it." Seriously, some of you guys are wonderful writers, you have a voice, your sentence structure is strong. But, your pacing sucks, or you just can't quite make your characters come alive for the reader. I can help you with that.
Why would you want to use your time like this when you could be watching Dr. Who or Spiderman?
Quite honestly, I have six kids. Five are in college, and one is in private high school. I'd like them to stay there.
How much will this cost?
First Chapter (up to 20 pages) $50.00
First Three Chapters (up to 50 pages) $100.00
Entire Manuscript Critique $1.00 a page minimum of 200 pages.

For anything else, email me at juliebutcheredits@yahoo.com
For more information please go here.
I look forward to working with you.

I Dare You to be Kind

2015-06-26T12:34:00.001-05:00

The internet was once a fun place. There were colors and opinions and every once in a while a knot that soon smoothed itself out.

For the last week it looked like this—frazzled and angry and full of hate. Yes, lives matter. But so does the quality of the life you live. Random acts of kindness are lovely and if we could make them more common, everyone’s quality of life would change for the better. #KindnessMatters

People of Earth, I would like to challenge you to make anyone’s day a little better, and I am starting here at home. We had a big storm last night and my kids have packed up brooms and rakes and are off into the neighborhood to help the elderly. They’re stopping at every house where they see an old person trying to clean their yard. They’re stopping everywhere they see a handicapped plate on a car. #KindnessMatters

You may not be physically able to clean yards but you can post something inspiring or adorable on the internet. You can comment on a post in a helpful manner. You can tell someone Good Morning or to Have a nice day. You can complement someone’s nails or tell them they have pretty hair. It isn’t hard, it only takes a few seconds.

We come together when there’s a disaster. We only need to start a little bit at a time and kindness will snowball. What good is it to live when rage is the only emotion we feel? Step out of your anger for two minutes. We have a beautiful life to live. #KindnessMatters.

Writing Teenagers and Food

2015-06-03T13:51:00.001-05:00

Okay people let’s get something straight. Teens eat more than burgers and fries and pizza. They don’t drink only fizzy drinks. In fact, they eat pretty much what you do.

Coffee is a big thing now. There’s a Starbucks almost everywhere. Maybe you weren’t allowed to drink coffee as a child, but that isn’t the same as other people. Kids have favorite brands of coffee. They like flavored coffee, and regular, and have a special creamer they prefer. My kids are allowed to drink coffee or tea when they turn 10. A lot of my friends have kids who drink coffee. IT IS A THING. Give it up that they sound too old because they drink coffee. It isn’t liquor. Geez.

When my kids go to the bookstore, they get a coffee. It isn’t only adults who drink coffee. Just like you adults eat pizza and burgers. There isn’t an age limit on food, okay?

My children’s grandmother didn’t drink caffeine for years because there were rumors that it wasn’t good for you. You know how the health waves go. One year a certain thing will kill you, and the next it is good for you and you should have it every single day. You need to keep up and not date your writing with what you were taught as a child. (I didn’t know what gluten was as a teen—now everyone knows.)

The point is that you need to pay attention to the changes and trends in society as a whole. Gluten is bad now, so you’re going to have teen characters who don’t eat gluten. Coffee is cool now so you’re going to have middle grade and young adult characters who drink coffee. You’ll also have kids who don’t eat processed food, and characters who read every label for peanut allergies.

Food is a thing, guys. Pay attention to the world.

Social Media and Social Responsibility

2015-03-03T09:00:00.000-06:00

Writers everywhere are trying to create a social media platform. They join every single big site. They pimp novels. (This totally does not work people) They push their friend’s books. (Also made of fail unless it is a release day). And generally, they make a nuisance of themselves. Scroll through your Facebook or Twitter and see how far you need to go to see a real person talk. They get the whole social media but they forget social responsibility.

I was looking at Facebook the other day and a lovely woman posted a picture of her friend dressed up for an event. Her friend was beautiful. She had obviously taken a lot of time with hair and nails and an outfit. Do you know what people were saying? NOT ONE THING.

How mean was that?

Isn't it tough enough to have a positive body image in today’s society without totally ignoring a lovely person? I can guarantee you that this woman could not possibly feel as lovely as she looked. I know this because when I was younger, I was a very pretty woman but I didn't think so. Thank God that there wasn't social media then to confirm what I suspected was true. I would have never left the house. I wouldn't have met my husband or ever had my six children.

You are never going to give offense with an honest compliment. I told the woman that she looked beautiful. She did. Someone else being lovely, or wearing a pretty dress, or even showing off a new manicure does not take one darn thing away from you. Take a second of your precious time and say so. Your comment might be the one positive thing in their day. You won’t ever know if what you said mattered because you can’t know the horrors they may face in their everyday life. But maybe, just maybe, your words will turn their day around.

Everyone is all against bullying. We teach our children to be nice and not to judge or harass people. But I am here to tell you that this isn't enough. Teach them kindness and caring and start by being supportive of others and their interests not only in your real life, but online.

I think we all want to leave the world a better place. Hopefully how we act will make a mark on people and places that we love. If you’re using social media, then you have the responsibility of making the virtual world a better place, too.

We can’t all buy someone in need a car, or pay off their hospital bills, but we can all take the time once a day to give someone a compliment. It’s a little thing. But sometimes the little things are what matter the most and what make the biggest difference.

The Three Reasons You Should/Should Not Self Publish

2014-09-16T10:49:00.001-05:00

I am bossing all of the writers over at Buzzy Mag today! Go and see.

The Four Reasons You are not Published

2014-08-19T08:54:00.000-05:00

I'm over at Buzzy Mag explaining all ot the things and wearing ranty-pants. http://buzzymag.com/four-reasons-published/

I Can Tell You Why Your Manuscript Sucks

2014-07-09T12:33:00.000-05:00

I am accepting content edits until October 1st. If the date is a problem for you then you need to email me immediately. Don't mess around guys.

How can I do this and why would you want to be told such a horrible thing?

Maybe, because you want to find an agent or editor who LOVES YOU DEARLY?

So I've started a critique service. Not forever, but for a while.

Why do you think you're any good at this at all?

I've been beta reading since 1990, not only for unpublished authors, but for agented and published ones, too. Quite honestly, I was a terrible reader for the first ten years or so. I was worried about hurting people's feelings, and didn't say when a passage stunk on ice, or when something made me go WTF?! Now I do. This is what you need to improve your writing.

Also, I remember thinking, "I wish someone would just tell me what I'm doing wrong so I can fix it." Seriously, some of you guys are wonderful writers, you have a voice, your sentence structure is strong. But, your pacing sucks, or you just can't quite make your characters come alive for the reader. I can help you with that.

Why would you want to use your time like this when you could be watching Dr. Who or Spiderman?

Quite honestly, I have six kids. Five are in college, and one is in private high school. I'd like them to stay there.

Why would I want to pay for a critique when I can get one free from my own critique group?

Unless your beta readers are published, or are working with a traditional agent or editor, they don't have the experience to help you. I do.

How much will this cost?

First Chapter (up to 20 pages) $50.00

First Three Chapters (up to 50 pages) $100.00

Entire Manuscript Critique $1.50 a page minimum of 200 pages.

Emergency Fee to Jump the Queue $50

For anything else, you will need to contact me. juliebutcheredits@yahoo(dot)com

What do I get for my money?

I'll post notes throughout the manuscript using Word and Track Changes. I'll tell you where, when, and why you're messing up. I'll tell you what you're doing right, and what you shouldn't change. I'll also provide a detailed letter of what I think will improve your work.

Every writer is at a different stage of development. All writers (including me) have problems actually seeing their story because what they've written is colored by what they see in their own mind. The reader doesn't have the benefit of your imagination.

What won't you do?

I don't critique erotica. (For all I know I could be doing it wrong.)

I don't offer edits on picture book manuscripts because I am not qualified to do so.

I will not correct your punctuation. You need a line editor for that.

How do I contact you?

You can email me at juliebutcheredits@yahoo.com
You can check out recommendations and *like* my editing page at https://www.facebook.com/JulieButcherEdits
On twitter you can find me at https://twitter.com/Julie_Butcher

I look forward to working with you.

The DH, the Evil Chainsaw, and Bears

2014-04-11T10:17:00.000-05:00

This is the Dear Husband

He is always busy and has all the things to do. (Here he revamped our old swingset for my nieces and nephew.) He was busy with a tree trimming project when the worst thing imaginable happened.

With his mighty chainsaw he was standing in a huge pile of small branches. His right foot was in the brush and his left was on the log. He'd cut almost all the way through and pushed with his left foot to move the log and finish the cut.

Unfortunately there was a stubborn spot there. The chainsaw bounced back and into the calf of his left leg. The brush he was standing on collapsed, he fell, and the chainsaw did what they do--it cut through his calf.

He yelled to youngest son who almost carried him to the truck, and then the DH drove himself to the emergency room because he worried about bleeding out before an ambulance could get there. Meanwhile, while holding his dad's leg together, youngest son calls me and in the calmest voice imaginable says, "Mom, I don't want you to be upset but Dad had an accident and we're on the way to the emergency room."

I told youngest son to run in when they got there and yell for help. Then I did what I do, jumped into the car, and drove like a bat out of Hell. (Youngest son informed me that when he opened the door to get the DH from the truck, blood poured out. I believe it because I had to scrub it.)

When I got to the emergency room, the DH was on the table and it looked like someone had put a giant piece of raw liver on his leg. The entire calf was open. The nurse was so amazed at our joking around the she said, "You guys are sure calm about this." To which the DH responded, "We have six kids." (Evidently this fact is enough for anyone to believe that we're as nutty as fruitcakes.)

He'd cut all the way through the large calf muscle and half-way through the smaller one.

Anyway, after three very long surgeries, six days in the hospital, and two weeks on bedrest we went to the doctor's office yesterday. He removed the stitches on the skin side, put his leg in a full cast, and sent us home for four more weeks of bedrest. After that he will have a walking cast for at least another six weeks.

The DH is very unhappy with this order, but I get it because the scar is huge and C-shaped, and luckily, his name starts with a C so we won't have to change that. (Also he says don't tell people that he almost cut his leg off with a chainsaw (which also starts with a C) because this is an embarrassing fact. So if you see him, it was a bear.)

We do have end-of-the-world insurance so we won't lose the house. (We pay $10K before it kicks in and then they pay 80% up to $100K)

Luckily for us, writers, editors, and agents are amazing and kind people and I want to thank each person who donated such awesome things to the Indiegogo campaign, and also to thank everyone who bought these wonderful items. So many people offered to help that they're adding new stuff everyday.

You have no idea how much it means to us as a family, and to me personally. I don't feel alone in this. Sure it will be hard, and a very long recovery, but not facing it by myself is such an wonderful feeling that I can't explain it without a million adjectives. (I know how you feel about those.) So I won't try except to say that you warm my heart and I won't ever forget. Not ever.

They'll run the fundraiser until the end of April so if you want to check it out, the Reader Edition is here and the Writer Edition is here.

I honestly believe that all of the prayers and good thoughts from you got us through the surgery without needing a skin graft. Thank you. Any extra during his recovery are very much appreciated.

I love you guys.

Evil League of Evil Writers: Baby Evil Writers 101: Don't Do This to Me Ever

2014-03-20T19:55:00.001-05:00

Evil League of Evil Writers: Baby Evil Writers 101: Don't Do This to Me Ever: Baby Evil Writers 101 Julie Butcher So I've been doing a lot of reading for writers lately and some of the openings make me want to ...

Which Way To Publishing by Julie Butcher-Fedynich. Self-Publishing vs Traditional Methods

2014-03-20T07:44:00.001-05:00

Which Way To Publishing by Julie Butcher-Fedynich. Self-Publishing vs Traditional Methods

Why Your Young Adult Manuscript Flushes Down the Toilet of Fail: A Rant

2013-12-10T09:40:00.000-06:00

Let me explain something about teenagers. They are not cranky and crabby all of the time. They are not self-absorbed and callous. In fact, they have more joy inside than do adults. When their interest is caught, they follow learning with a fierceness and determination that adults no longer have.

I can state these things as fact because I have three teens in the house. (At one time I had five which is certain to have been illegal in several states.) The reason your YA manuscript isn’t going over is because you are writing teens as the enemy. So let’s lay this out.

Children are short adults with no money.

Teenagers are young adults with more spendable income than their parents.

You’re writing young adults like they are some foreign tribe on a hidden continent. They’re not the Lost Boys in Never land. They don’t dance around the fire shaking spears and planning to stab-dead every adult they see.

Sure there are psycho teens out there killing people and running away and doing drugs—whatever. Those kids would like your dark and angry characters. Pretty much those teens won’t be reading your book, because of them being all busy with their psychotic murders.

I don’t remember when my thinking jumped from child to teen to adult. Mostly, my brain has been the same. My favorite birthday cake is still the same one my mom made when I was six. I still like a lot of the things that brought me joy when I was little—a fire in the fireplace, a hug, the wonder of the leaves changing in the fall.

The point is that when I was a teen, I had joy. So totally quit writing these teenagers that are like the cranky neighbor who yells for kids to get off his lawn. Teenagers are like you only they don’t pay rent or utility bills. (There see—they automatically have better lives.)

They’re people. You’re people. Same/Same.

If you don't actually like teenagers, you shouldn't write YA.

Yes You Do Need an Editor

2013-11-04T11:34:00.000-06:00

When I finally got to the place in my writing where my future agent of awesome had asked for revisions, I was ambushed by fear. My beta group at that time was at the same writing level as I was. None of us had an agent and none of us were published.

So I hired an editor.

She saw all the bits that I thought were good enough but that were still at a lower level of professionalism. She pointed out where she went all WTF IS THIS??!! A new pair of eyes saw all of the flaws that my crazy writer brain missed. There were a lot—like hundreds or maybe thousands. I fixed them all well enough to sign with my dream agent.

Guys, there is no way under heaven that you can write your own book, and edit out the flaws without another opinion. (Family doesn’t count. Of course your momma loves your book.) The problem is that we seldom have friends who are at a higher writing level than we are. Published authors tend to hang together. (Mostly because they don’t want to be harassed for an introduction to their agent or editor.) Uber- ginormous published authors have beta readers that they can trust and they have tons of deadlines so you can’t bother them. Seriously, don’t do it because RUDE.

But what you can do is to either BEG someone better than you to read or, you can hire an editor.

After you have worn out your Beta group, you need a content editor first. A content editor points out the best ways to make your characters shine. They tell you where you’re wandering off into the swamp of the muddy middle. They also tell you where you make their brain go into a seizure trying to figure out WTF is going on. They fall into the plot-holes so your readers don’t.

If you’re serious about writing, hire a content editor. You’ll learn stuff. If you absolutely can’t afford it then find every contest, drawing, and auction you can and get a professional edit.

There are a lot of agented writers who do editing work. I do and you can see all of the prices and things here. http://jrbutcher.blogspot.com/2013/04/i-can-tell-you-why-your-manuscript.html or you can email me at juliebutcheredits@yahoo.com

The lovely Authoress Anonymous does and you can find her rates here. http://misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/2007/01/authoress-edits.html She is awesome and has been my critique partner for a while. You’ll love her.

After you’ve fixed all of the things that your content editor pointed out, you need a line editor.

Don’t argue with me because YES YOU DO. Unless you are a professional editor, you absolutely will not find all of the problems. Even if you are an editor your own brain still sees your story as it wants it to be, not as someone else sees it. Habits sneak up on the best of us, bad habits, evil habits. The comma fairy will come when you are asleep and poop all over your manuscript and you won’t even notice.

I use Richard Shealy as a line editor and you can find him at http://sffcopyediting.com/index.php/who/ Even if you’re not writing scifi or fantasy, give him an email.

So let’s review the order of how we edit our finished manuscript.

1. Have a beta group of readers

2. Hire a content editor

3. Fix all of the things

4. Hire a line editor

5. Submit your work to agents and editors.

6. Get an agent or a publisher

Start all over again

The Reason I Unfollow You on Social Media

2013-08-13T14:58:00.000-05:00

It's not you, it's me.

Seriously, I don't consider myself either a liberal or a conservative. I do, however have certain likes and dislikes. I also have a houseful of teenagers to whom I feel a responsibility as role model. These are the major reasons I make social media friends go away.

1. I’m a mom. I enjoy parenthood and adore my six children. I have no problem with people who have decided that they don’t want children. They’re free to do as they wish. I do have a problem with people who insult families and belittle what I consider to be my greatest accomplishment. I don’t call people stupid or say that they are trash because of their decision to not have children or traditional families. I absolutely will not have the aggravation of seeing these posts.

You guys have the right to live your lives and speak your beliefs. I have the right to not see them and feel insulted.

2. Everyone knows that Erotica is popular now. If people want to write it, I hope they do it well and make a gerjillion dollars. Really I do. Good on them! I especially think it is the awesomesauce that Sylvia Day has gotten so popular because she is a sweetie-pie and she deserves lovely things.

That said, for some odd reason that I do not comprehend, some erotica fans/writers seem to think it is cool to post and tweet extremely graphic scenes and quotes—before I have my morning coffee. I am subjected to naked pictures and descriptive terms that I personally never use. It grosses me out. I mean seriously, EWWWWWWWWWWW! If I wanted naked I would have stayed in the bed. I didn’t get six children by not knowing what a penis is, mkay?

3. Everyone has a bad day, or week, or sometimes a whole terrible month. Some people have a terrible and angry life. I’m sorry that this is how they see the world. I personally cannot see their negativity day after day and be a positive person. So I choose to surround myself online with people who can see the sunrise. Since many of my real life friends I have met online, I like to keep the optimists close. They and I might hit it off someday.

4. Profanity is a choice. I cuss as much as the next guy—in real life and when I’m not around children and old people. I choose not to in writing and on the internet where kids might see it. I have children. I don’t want them to use profanity as the major part of their vocabulary. I don’t want teachers to email me that inappropriate terms are used in papers or at school. I don’t want to teach other people’s children to curse. Of course I expect everyone to slip once in a while. Just not in every freaking post.

5. When my children were small, whining was a problem. I used to pretend that I was deaf and unable to hear a whining tone of voice. Unfortunately, the internet is an easy place to whine and poor-mouth and it gets on my last nerve. Everyone has a bad day but some people make it a lifestyle and I choose not to attend pity-parties.

6. I understand that people are proud of what they write. I also understand that you have friends and that you need to support their books. But, if you post nothing but ads and links and even worse, with eighty-eleven hashtags on each post, I’m out of there.

Life is what you make it people and I apologize if my de-friending or un-following hurts your feelings . You have the right to post as you wish and I have the right not to see it.

Back to the Future or Past or Whatever

2013-07-31T21:32:00.001-05:00

When I was in first grade, a substitute teacher started reading us Little House in the Big Woods. The next day, our regular teacher was back, and I didn't know what had happened to Ma, and Pa, and Mary and Laura!

I was devastated until my mother ordered the books. That series turned me into a reader.

Today I took the log cabin my dad built for me, and a new copy of Little House, and visited my nieces and nephew. They loved it, and me.

It was awesome!

The Big Craptastic Deal about DRM :: Buzzy Mag - Sci-Fi News, Reviews, Interviews and Original Fiction.

2013-07-18T12:24:00.001-05:00

The Big Craptastic Deal about DRM :: Buzzy Mag - Sci-Fi News, Reviews, Interviews and Original Fiction.

I Don't Do Copy Edits, But I Know Who Does

2013-07-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Okay guys, you know I do content editing but I don't have the skill to do copy editing. You can find all kinds of people running about on the Internet saying they do have those skills. Anyway, I thought some of you might need those services in the near future. (I've been reading some awesome manuscripts.)

Or, some of you might not want me to do your content editing because I eat a lot of cake or whatever. Also because I might be just a little crazy. (Six children worth of crazy and I earned every zapped-out molecule.)

So without any further fanfare, here are two people I would trust with my money and my manuscripts. They are both brilliant and have worked with a lot of popular published authors. They can copy edit. I can't.

A lot of you know Authoress Anonymous and her awesome website Miss Snark's First Victim. If you're a writer you should go there immediately. She has some of the most awesome agent and editor contests ever! She also works as an independent editor. Her editorial services and prices are listed. She only does partials at the moment and I do believe that there will soon be a way where (for a price and in an emergency) you can jump the queue.

http://misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/2007/01/authoress-edits.html I personally recommend her. We've been friends and critique partners for years. Your manuscript can only get better in her hands.

The second person I'd like to recommend is Richard Shealy. He specializes in fantasy and science fiction and works professionally for some of the big six publishers. I personally know the big names he beta reads for,(no I won't tell you ) and guarantee that he'll keep all of those pesky ducks (or dragons) marching in a nice row. He is excellent at keeping you voice yours, and he will line edit your work until it shines like gold.

I think the science fiction and fantasy writers know how difficult it is to find someone who understands your world and the rules. He can do it. His website is here. http://sffcopyediting.com/

Of course you can have me wearing my bossy pants for content edits.

Both of the above people are personal friends and I have no doubts guaranteeing their integrity.

SEKRIT Swingers or What I do on the Weekend.

2013-06-28T17:03:00.003-05:00

My youngest is now a teenager and for a while now, our poor old swing set has crouched in the back yard. Its chains were rusty, the slide was on the ground somewhere and it looked quite pitiful. I've tried and tried to get the dear husband to let me sell it or give it away. But, he couldn'l let go.

Then last weekend, he realized that our twin, six-year-old nieces had no swing set.

I called my sister to see if they'd like to have it. She knew it needed paint, and swings, and possibly a walker with tennis balls on the legs, and she still agreed.

This got the husband and I to thinking about when we had three small-ish kids and how hard it was to finish a project. My sister and her family left on vacation that night and we put our plan into action.

Before I was awake, the husband had purchased new swings and chains. Now the only problem was taking it apart and hauling it on a flat-bed trailer the quarter of a mile to my sisters house. Once there, we realized that the spot where the swingset would live was on a very hilly part of the yard.

Out came the shovels and my husband's levels of doom. Twelve hours later, the swing set was moved and tested by the largest people we could find. My husband and two of my sons. We figured that if 450 pounds worth of swinging couldn't tip the set over, three smallish humans couldn't either

The next day we scraped all of the old paint off, hoovered the yard with the shop-vac (I seem to remember small people wanting to eat paint) And put a new face on the old girl.

Luckily the Home Depot people were able to exactly match the paint. My sister and her family were gone and we couldn't call them to see if they had leftover house paint because it was a secret project and supposed to be a surprise! Here is the awesome hubster and two of my daughters, It was a real family project.

After we were finished (12 more hours on Sunday) I sent this picture to my sister and then called her to say surprise!

There was much squealing and screaming of small people.

Like this,

It was worth every minute.

The Bacon Poem

2013-06-24T11:02:00.000-05:00

Middle son was out of poem ideas so he told a friend, "Quick, give me a subject!" The results are below.

Slipping into dreams I slept,
To wake up in the morn'.
Down the creaky stairs I crept,
Feeling sore and worn.

Much to my surprise I see,
My nose was not mistaken.
Someone went ahead and cooked,
A plate of precious bacon.

My stomach rumbled like a storm,
I went forth with delight.
But then I shed a single tear,
I woke up in the night.

The Week is Over!

2013-05-24T16:15:00.003-05:00

Have a great weekend.

To all of the RT 2013 Authors

2013-05-15T13:35:00.001-05:00

Thank You!

To the Adult Writers

My girls were the ones asking you if they were old enough to read your books. Thank you for taking the time to chat with them. You made them feel important. The swag you gave them is proudly displayed on the bookself in my daughter's room. They remember your names, and your books, better than I do. I know that they aren't your readers yet, but you can bet your buttons that they will be. So, thank you for making them look forward to reading in the future.

To the YA Authors

You were awesome personified. My daughter and her friends came away with bragging rights that will last for years. At the bookstore, the youngest points out the books that are yours and remembers exactly what you told them about the plot. (You're costing me a mint!) She remembers each face, and what you said, and how you really listened to her questions. She tells friends that they MUST READ your book because you are so cool. I have never seen happier eighth grade girls. They felt wanted and needed, and felt like their opinions mattered.

They came away from Teen Day feeling great about themselves and looking forward to a summer with your stories. As a mother I thank you. You made my job easier.
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My Daughter in the Most Awesome Prom Dress Ever

2013-04-27T18:24:00.002-05:00

Evil League of Evil Writers: Baby Evil Writers 101: Finding a Reputable Agent #...

2013-04-11T13:19:00.001-05:00

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