The Laboratory

Wrapping up Season One of the Laboratory

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 12:30:00 +0000

Thank you for seeing me through the inaugural season of The Laboratory. After the hiatus we’ll be back with new and improved episodes for Season 2!

Say What? Writing Engaging Dialogue

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 21:40:10 +0000

"Danse Macabre" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Is that My Voice? How to Tell if Your Writing Is Flat

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 00:15:02 +0000

"Danse Macabre" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

A Storied Conversation: Derivative Works in the Literary Canon

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 01:48:00 +0000

"Danse Macabre" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Can I Ask for That? How to Negotiate with an Editor

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 15:39:14 +0000

"Danse Macabre" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

I Can’t Look: Plotting Killer Scenes

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 13:30:00 +0000

"Danse Macabre" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The Great Juggling Writer: How to Manage Multiple Writing Projects

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 23:25:00 +0000

"Danse Macabre" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Diction: The Spice of the Narrative Voice

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 13:30:00 +0000

Word choices and how we use words make up the finest grain of detail we can control in our writing. But those details can have big consequences for how our writing comes across to readers. Tune in to learn how to avoid common diction-related pitfalls in writing.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/benjamin-botkin/enigma

License code: D5Q3CUQ0E5HT9LTW

Developing Your Writing Practice

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 13:30:00 +0000

As we start this new year, I’m sure a lot of writers are contending with resolutions to write more. But before you throw yourself whole hog into a new routine or schedule and end up burnt out, consider taking a moment to think about your approach first. In this post, I’ll share my thoughts on how to frame your goals so they are manageable and sustainable.

Writing & Editing with ADHD

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 13:30:00 +0000

Today I’d like to talk about something more on the personal side. About two years ago now, I (as I suspect is true for many of us as a result of the pandemic) was diagnosed with ADHD. I’ve been learning a lot since that time, and I have this feeling that I’m catching up now with perhaps where I should have been all along. Of course, I guess that’s the case when you find out a lot of your challenges have an actual, demonstrable root cause that’s actually been with you your whole life. But even if it was a mystery for a long time, it still had a profound impact on me, including with my writing practice and work as an editor.

Worldbuilding: The Case for a Compendium

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 13:30:00 +0000

Worldbuilding is, perhaps fittingly, a massive, all-encompassing topic that’s easy to get lost in. When you have a world’s worth of detail to develop, it’s hard to tell, not only where to start, but also where to stop so you can shift focus to your actual story. For some writers, developing a setting might even be the end goal. Regardless of why you’re embarking on the endeavor, at some point you’ll likely find yourself asking the question “How do I keep everything organized?” Enter: the compendium.

When to Tell & Not Show

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 13:30:00 +0000

Someone mentioned to me the other day that there was a healthy debate going on in their writing group between showing versus telling as a narrative approach. To writers who have heard the refrain “show, don’t tell,” throughout their careers, this might be a bit of a shock. It would seem that not all are in agreement about what is often considered a writing standard.

Maintaining Internal Logic & Consistency

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 13:30:00 +0000

Maintaining the internal consistency and logic of our writing can easily slip a writer’s attention, but such issues can be a nuisance for readers. The facts you present must agree with all facts stated elsewhere, but the finer details can become difficult for us to pick out. If you’re worried about committing these kinds of errors in your writing, read on for my advice.

Updates to Post Format & Frequency

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 14:35:38 +0000

I’ve long held that social contracts (even if it’s just me announcing an intent to follow through on something) help tremendously with my productivity, so it’s only fair that I address it when things change. Here’s a quick post to share some updates to blog format and frequency.

Plagiarism, Copyright & Defamation

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 12:30:00 +0000

This time on the Laws of Writing we’ll be looking at the actual laws that apply to written works—namely plagiarism, copyright and defamation—and how to tell if your work is at risk in any of these categories.

How to Write Engaging Dialogue

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 12:30:00 +0000

Wondering how to create electrifying dialogue that catches your reader’s attention or conveys emotion in a scene? Let’s talk about it.

Creating Compelling Characters

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 12:30:00 +0000

Last time on The Ingredients we looked at the setting as a starting point for your story. Now let’s look at starting with the drivers of plot: characters.

A Little More About Me

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 12:30:00 +0000

Hi! For anyone new here, I’m Mary. I started this blog a few months ago now, so I figured it might be time to give you a little more insight into who I am.

What Is a Style Sheet?

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 12:30:00 +0000

Editors, especially copy editors, use what’s called a style sheet when working on new projects, though style sheets are not exclusive to the editorial profession. Style sheets can actually benefit writers as they write. Let’s look at how we can make use of them.

Passive & Active Voice

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 12:30:00 +0000

Why is it that people laud active voice while passive voice is derided? Is it a rule or preference to favour one over the other? To put it simply, if there wasn’t a use for a particular style, it wouldn’t exist, so let’s examine these more closely.

How to Shape Your Setting

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 12:30:00 +0000

Stories can come from many places. Maybe you want to explore a particular philosophical angle or maybe you’ve thought of a fascinating character. Don’t forget that your setting can be just as enchanting a starting point. In this week’s blog, we’ll be using setting as an anchor point from which to conjure your story.

Finding Your Writing Group

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 12:30:00 +0000

Writing is often thought of as a lonely endeavour, and while it’s true that most stories only have one author, it doesn’t mean the process must—or should—exclude other people. Belonging to a community and having a support network behind you can help combat feelings of isolation, motivate you to write more and even make your writing better.

To Capitalize or Not to Capitalize?

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 12:30:00 +0000

To capitalize or not to capitalize. That really is the question. Let’s look at how to capitalize on capitals.

How to Write Captivating Sentences

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 12:30:00 +0000

A writer might be describing the best thing since sliced bread, but if their sentences are dull, readers aren’t likely to stay engaged. The way the words sit on the page and on the tips of our tongue can enchant a reader. Though some kinds of writing are meant to be perfunctory, there is room for art in many instances.

Inspiration & Idea Generation

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 12:30:00 +0000

A writer may have a wealth of ideas, struggling to even keep pace with the thoughts as they occur. Other times, as if by a magical curse, the wellspring runs dry. Getting stuck when you’re trying to start the next big project can leave you feeling helpless and unmotivated. But there are ways to treat this malady.

Should I Hire an Editor?

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:30:00 +0000

At some point you might ask yourself: should I hire an editor? Though there are a few factors to consider, hiring an editor is an investment in your project that helps ready it for publication. So where do you start?

Interruptions & Inclusions & Compounds—Oh My: A Who’s Who of Dashes & Hyphens

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 12:30:00 +0000

This week we’re zooming in on an oft-overlooked but important element of punctuation & grammar: dashes and hyphens.

Evoking Setting & Mood

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 12:30:00 +0000

Atmosphere can make or break the immersion that writers strive to achieve, both in fiction and nonfiction. Let’s learn how to craft an effective one in this week’s blog.

Outlines: The Road Map for Your Work

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 12:30:00 +0000

Starting with the structure of your work can not only strengthen your writing, it can also save you lots of time and effort down the road. But where should you organize all of your ideas? This week we’ll be looking into writing outlines.

Resources for Writers & Editors

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 18:14:58 +0000

I provide writing guidance based on my own experience and training here in the Laboratory, but there are plenty of incredible resources out there for writers and editors. The list below contains some of those I’ve personally used and recommend. I will continue to update this list over time.

Writing Fundamentals: Understanding Rules

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 12:30:00 +0000

The last post in our series (for now!) exploring the fundamentals of writing is all about rules, why it is important to understand them and how you can bend them for your own use.

Writing Fundamentals: Know Thyself; Know Thine Audience

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 14:06:26 +0000

This week’s topic is style, the elusive face of writing.

Writing Fundamentals: Structure for Longevity

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 12:30:00 +0000

In the first of a series on the fundamentals of writing, we’ll be looking at building writing structures that stand against the sands of time.

Welcome to Elixir Editorial

marykehoe@elixireditorial.ca (Mary Brydon-Kehoe) — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Along with editing, I’ve been known to spin a yarn or two about the literary arts. Join me in the laboratory on Wednesdays for a deep dive on the principles of writing.