Wow! September 12, 2016: moved to Raleigh, NC! We had talked about a big move for years, but now we are here! I miss the smell of snow and the dramatic change of seasons, but this weather is wonderful! I miss our neighbors and the convenience of all types of food at all hours, but Southern BBQ is great!
June, 2015: So happy! I finally published my Edit Guide! It started as a little handout for a panel I was on at JimmyCom 2014, and now it’s a book just for you! You can get it at Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/548086. Or, you can email me at maryharrisauthor@hotmail.com and I’ll send you the .doc. No cover, just great info!
March, 2015: I like this blue! And, I’m not blue – I’m happy! I was honored recently by being asked to judge entries in the ACP “Best of the Christian Press” Annual Awards for 2014 publications (http://www.theacp.org/awards/). I read 20 entries in 2 categories, and awarded 3 levels of recognition in both categories. What fun! I’m also starting the second book in Kathrine Leannan’s “The Katana Series” published by Grimoire Press. Interesting mashup of cultures – love it! Loose-Id continues to bring out the “Men of Sanctuary” series by Danica St. Como, and we look forward to 2 new books! Spring is springing forward!
October, 2014: Haven’t gone blue in a while; this is pretty! I turned in my first edits for SoulMate, a very nice erotic historical, and just contracted a wonderful series for Loose Id! I can’t wait to bring out Danica St. Como’s next book in her Men of Sanctuary series! On the other hand, I didn’t qualify for the Mission Main Street grant. Over 100 startups did receive more than 250 votes, including mine, and I hope they all do well! But The Original Bathroom Boutique in a Box™ is going ahead!
September, 2014: Quick notes. I’m employed at SoulMate Publishing, a very sweet company, and Loose ID, a terrific team company! Very excited about both! And I am surprised at the quality of submissions they receive – nice!
Also, I’ve applied for a grant to grow my business with another project, the Original Boutique in a Box! You can vote for me at https://www.missionmainstreetgrants.com/business/detail/10345. Every vote is much appreciated!
June, 2014: I’m happy to announce that I’ll be teaching an Editing Class at SavvyAuthors.com starting June 16. We go Monday-Thursday, and I will give feedback and answer questions Friday-Sunday. Signup is now open! I’m teaching this class with several other excellent editors from the spec fiction publisher Curiosity Quills. And, please let me know if you have any questions or special areas you’d like to address!
May, 2014: I’m using green because that’s the color of money! We all have budgets and I don’t know anyone who can throw money around! My mom always said it was sad that in my family, we were all born beautiful and not rich. 🙂 But here’s a tip: if you don’t know what normal fees are for different types of editing services, from developmental edits to research, check out The Editorial Freelancers Association. They are a group of professional editors who provide a wealth (get it? money, again!) of information, and also have a list of editors available for many different types of work. The fee schedule is free (no money charged = a good thing!) to anyone and is found at http://the-efa.org/res/rates.php. And I do have to mention, I understand budgets! I’m willing to work with authors to make sure they end up with an excellent novel! Good luck on your writing!
March, 2014: I’m using Britannic font, since it’s the closest thing to a Brit font I can find. Why? because I just received my grade from University of Oxford! I admit, I was extremely nervous about the two papers, and the final just about killed me! I haven’t been in school in (ahem) years, so studying, organizing my notes, participating in class, and writing papers are all very rusty skills! However, my wonderful tutor Nicolay Yakovlev, ably guided my stumbling steps to a “Completion with Credit”! Yay! Thank God the classes are basically pass/fail. I take comfort, however, in his notes on the Summary (which either recommends the student receive the credit, or…not) which said in part, “a well-written essay” and “excellent discussion of cultural motifs that link Beowulf with Sutton Hoo.” I cannot express my appreciation enough to Nicolay! He also made the course not only interesting, but really fun! Whew!
February, 2014: I’m heartily sick of Beowulf. Braggart. Mead-swiller. A typical bad boy, full of fire and promises, until he passes out and the Monster shows up and starts eating people. Hellooooo? Where’s your mighty sword now, Beo-baby?
January, 2014: Well, I’m kicking an item off the Bucket List. I’ve enrolled at University of Oxford! A lifelong dream to hold some kind of degree is now on its way! They have a wonderful online continuing education department, and in four years (or fewer, depending on how my brain cells hold out!) I will have a certification (like an undergrad degree in the USA) in Literature. My first course is “Ancestral Voices: The Earliest English Literature” and it promises to be interesting, at the least. We’ve been promised dirty doggerel!
January, 2013: Oops! I did indeed type in 2012! How long before I get used to 2013? The year is starting off very well! I’m very pleased to announce that, in addition to my wonderful freelance clients, and publishers Curiosity Quills Press and Noble Romance, I will also be working with Charles Day, publisher of Hidden Thoughts Press. Charles’ day job is in the mental health field, and his publishing focus is on true life stories about mental health/wellbeing issues, and success stories. I’m one of several non-fiction editors on the team, and we have discussed my working on two or three books a year. For several reasons, I felt this was an opportunity I could not pass up! But I want to reassure you that I will continue to devote time, attention, and passion to my fiction clients! Happy New Year!
December, 2012: I’m very happy to announce that Gigi Scott’s autobiography, “If I Only Knew….”, is now available! Gigi writes under a pseudonym to protect herself from an ex-husband even the FBI cannot stop. Her story, from birth in Eastern Europe into a Jewish family, through their flight to Israel, eventual return to Europe, her own hegira at 13 back to Israel, and her journey to the United States, cover 3 generations of women who always fought back, and never gave up! Gigi has survived events which would have killed a lesser person. Yet, she is one of the most generous, giving, and loving people you could ever meet. She hopes her story will inspire others who are going through difficult times. See more at http://www.amazon.com/Only-Knew-Volume-Gigi-Scott/dp/1480193623/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1356114882&sr=8-2&keywords=gigi+scott+if+i+only+knew.
September, 2012: Yes, it’s been busy! I’m pleased to announce that Les Grossman’s autobiography is out, “The Mystery of Les Grossman: A Real Hollywood Fable . . . Or Is It?” The life and times of Les are an unbelievable ride, from musical concert impresario at the age of 18 on the East Coast to being the iconic model for Tom Cruise in “Tropic Thunder,” Les’ story is well worth reading. I worked with Les to develop his story, edit the book, and truly enjoyed hearing everything (some of which never made it into the book!). See more at http://www.amazon.com/The-Mystery-Les-Grossman-Hollywood/dp/0615655807/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1356113151&sr=8-3&keywords=les+grossman.
August, 2012: Dear Gang of SuperWriters,
I hope you can all hear me over the snapping and flapping of writerly capes.
Just wanted to drop a note, as I am wont to do occasionally.
Did you know you don’t need dialogue tags? The “he said/she asked” stuff is great, when there are more than 2 characters in a scene. If there are only 2 characters, then the tags are not needed.
Research has shown, and no, I did not make this up, that readers can follow 6-8 sides of dialogue per page before needing a dialogue tag, or better yet, an action line. That means that 2 characters can exchange dialogue 3-4 times each before they have to be identified.
This applies when you have only 2 characters in a scene, however. More than that, and yes, you’ll need dialogue tags or action lines every couple of speeches.
I want each of you to start thinking about other ways to identify speakers. The action lines are great, if the action means something. Just reaching for a peach, e.g., doesn’t move the story line or the character arc along at all! Reaching for a knife, however, just might be good! Having one character name the other, e.g., is also an identifier. “Jason, do you always have to mess up the raccoons?” and the reader knows exactly who’s speaking.
Every word counts. Why put in extra words, which bog down the reader and the story?
Have a great month!
July, 2012: Unbelievable! In the past 9 months, I gained a son (he moved back home after college graduation!), another grandbaby, started editing for another terrific publisher, Curiosity Quills Press, and Desi Moon, a wonderful author and by chance, dog trainer, dbmoonauthor.blogspot.com, has been helping me re-house train Diggz. Apparently, we did not sufficiently establish just who the Alpha Dog is in this house! I’ve also added “Consciousness Correspondent” to my resume, writing completely fascinating articles for Veritas Magazine, www.TheVeritasMagazine.com, in addition to proofing the issues. I’ve also kicked in a search for funding for a feature film, “In From The Cold”, a script by Michael Cassidy about his grandfather, the first Black undercover federal Treasury agent in the U.S. If you want to drop some change, I need 3.5 million. 🙂 Keep writing!
October, 2011: Yes, a busy time. I’ve been editing for Noble, and have worked for a few truly interesting clients! One of my authors, whose book was recently released, praised the edit and posted this on her Facebook:
Pretty nice! All the work is fun, and cross many genres. I’m editing a mythological fantasy romance now: had to get my college books out! But it’s fun, and the checks do clear! Keep writing!
Margie Church
Thanks for all your editing help on Nopeming Shores. You helped make my 10th romance shine.
Nopeming Shores by Margie Church | NobleRomance.com
www.nobleromance.com
June, 2011: Wow. Almost a year. What a lot has happened! We got a dog, 2 hamsters, and a baby! I also got a job: I’m editor at Noble Romance Publishers, an expanding e-publisher with quite a list of books! I’m ecstatic about the opportunity to read, proof, edit, and get paid for it! Truly a dream job. It also helps me sharpen my own writing toolset: seeing mistakes other people make keeps me aware of my weaknesses and makes it easier for me to edit my own work. Keep writing no matter what!
July 15, 2010: I’ve been working on a website, a resume, an obituary, a novel, a song, and a script. I’ve also been shopping and making meals for my family. Sudden insight! Writing is a lot like cooking. I love to cook (see my other website, www.mykidsallergictoeverything.com) and I know why. It’s a fulfilling, nurturing thing to do. It’s also creative and fun. It’s also a lot of hard work. Just like writing. Probably, just like anything you’re doing which makes you feel satisfied at the end of the day. Good luck on all your ventures!
July 5, 2010: Have you done 1 business and 1 creative thing today? If not, then you’re not serious about succeeding as a writer. It’s fine to sit in your little chair and type on the keyboard and see your lovely words appear on the screen. But who else is gonna see them? You need to be out there, LinkedIn, your own web page
June 26, 2010: I’ve read David Mamet’s “On Directing Film” 3 or more times now. Each time I learn something new. One of the most difficult things to juggle when you’re writing a script is to keep in mind the other professionals. Movie-making is called a collaborative effort for a very good reason. I suggest Mamet’s book because it gets you in the frame of mind to consider the director as you visualize each scene — before you write it. This will lead to leaner, cleaner slug and action lines, and much tighter writing as you learn to trust the cinematographer, the set director, the lighting director… you get the idea.