Tag Archive for: Rebecca Tsaros Dickson

9 Ways to Make Your Editor Love You

Let’s make this quick and dirty. The way I like it.

1 – Respect the deadline. You’re busy. Your editor is busy. If you agree on a start date, or a date you’ll be ready for round two of your edits, BE READY.

2 – ‘s is not plural. I’ll say it again another way: apostrophe ess is NOT plural. We don’t say “there are lot’s” or “he has too many dog’s” or “his arm’s are buff.”

3 – If your reader has to guess at what you’re trying to say, she’s done reading. Don’t be coy. Don’t be mysterious. Spell it the fuck out. Editors can always cut. It’s hell to create something from nothing. Write extra. We will love you for it.

4 – Exclamation points blow. Don’t use them. Ever. I have a writer friend who insists using them is along the same lines as laughing at your own jokes – when they aren’t even funny.

5 – Same goes for semicolons. My go-to phrase: “Exterminate them like the vermin they are.” More here.

6 – Yes, you can. Even when you think no way in hell those words will come out, they absolutely will. When you doubt yourself and you’re caught up in the moment of frustration, pause and look at your hands. Twenty bucks says they’re fidgeting over the keys. That’s YOU working it out. Keep doing it. You’ll find a way. Writers are badass.

7 – ASK. Don’t know how to do something? Not sure of the mechanics of what you’re trying to pull off? Not sure some plot twist will work? We are here to make your words sing. If you don’t ask, we can’t help.

8 – Choose clarity over cleverness. No one cares – or even recognizes – how slick your words are if they don’t understand what you’re saying. (Tweet that!) Technically, this is the same as #3. But it’s worth repeating.

9 – Build your writing around who you are and your message. Don’t bend for anyone or anything else. Your reader will be able to tell. And it’s no fun for editors to shred your shit in order to show you where you’re being disingenuous.

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Want tolearn more about writing like YOU? I’m polishing a new product that will teach you exactly that. Join our subscriber list (upper right-hand corner) to hear more about it and get a discount when it’s released.

What are you lying to yourself about?

I can’t remember the last time I vacuumed. No, I don’t have a housekeeper. What I have is a dirty house. And an empty refrigerator. And a towering pile of laundry.

Because I’ve put everything I have into building this business for more than a year. In December, I drew a line: I said I wouldn’t work weekends anymore. I’d actually spend time with my family. And sometimes, I pull that off.

But mostly, I’m fucking swamped, exhausted and over-committed. (No joke. Stop by and take a look around here. You’d be horrified.) momisworking

Thirteen months ago, I was a new face in an internet sea of editing professionals and writing coaches. I wasn’t as confident in my skills as I should have been. YOU have shown me I’m better than I realized. And I will be forever grateful.

It’s not popular to brag about your abilities. I’m saying it anyway: I am fucking great at what I do. And I love helping writers unveil their incredible talent.

Every day, I tell people to give themselves permission to say what they need to say, in whatever way they need to say it. I push them to write what feels good, empowering, honest – true to them. I encourage them to stare fear down and write anyway.

Meanwhile, I’m doing the exact opposite: bending over backward, over-delivering and underpaying myself. I’ve been afraid to raise my rates.

Hypocrite much?

No more.

Effective March 1, 2014, my editing rates are doubling. Coaching and consulting rates will stay the same.

I launched this place to help writers write. To make your words better. And to make more time for me and my family.

So here’s how it’s going down. If you’re a previous client, you can grab my 2013 editing rate for a project of your choice – if you book before March 1st, 2014, even if the start date isn’t until later in the year.

Booking means confirming whatever month you plan on having your work ready for editing, signing a contract with that ballpark date, and leaving a deposit.

I seriously fucking adore each of you. You have helped make this the go-to place for writing tips of the sexy and unusual variety, as well as kickass editing. I can’t wait to help more of you make YOUR writing dreams come to life.

Whatever you’re afraid of, we’ll tackle it together and get your words on the page. It’s my specialty. And I’m not afraid to say it anymore.

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Want to learn more about writing like YOU? I’m polishing a new product that will teach you exactly that. Join our subscriber list (upper right-hand corner) to hear more about it and get a discount when it’s released.