EDITING & GHOSTWRITING SERVICES
EDITING
Email me at pswriter1@netzero.net
& we can begin to discuss
your manuscript or screenplay.
If we decide to work together, I require a hard copy.
****************************************
GHOSTWRITING SERVICES
What on earth is ghostwriting anyway?
Say you have a story to tell,
but you feel that you are not the best one
to put it into words.
One option is to hire a ghostwriter, such as myself,
to write your story. If you prefer,
your name will appear on the work as the author.
Or, if you'd rather, my name will appear as well as yours - it's up to you, & we can discuss it.
During our collaboration, we can communicate verbally,
via email, or you can even send/give me
your cassette tapes to work from.
In the beginning, you will briefly detail your story to me,
& I will type it up.
I may ask questions throughout the writing process
in order to flesh out your story.
To see first-hand what I am talking about,
click on the link below & check it out.
If you'd like to read the rest of HIP HOP...,
contact me at pswriter1@netzero.net,
& I'll email it to you.
Or, if you have a story you'd like written,
please email me & briefly detail it.
As well, feel free to inquire about my reasonable rates.
I EDIT:
Inspirational
General Fiction
Creative Nonfiction
Children's Stories
Young Adult Novels
Memoir
Mysteries
Self-help
Textbooks
Cookbooks
Business Writing
Poetry
Screenplays
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONTENT & COPY EDITING?
CONTENT EDITING looks at the Big Picture.
Does your story flow logically &
at a reasonable pace?
Does it have a main point?
Is it conflict-driven & engaging?
(Without conflict, you have no story)
Are your characters both endearing & flawed, like real humans?
Is the dialogue real?
COPY EDITING looks at the Nitty-Gritty Stuff.
It includes things like
syntax (sentence structure),
punctuation, spelling, grammar
& all those small, yet super-important, details.
WRITING THE FIRST DRAFT
When writing the first draft, just do it.
Don't hold back.
At the beginning,
you may write from your head.
Keep going. After a few minutes,
you'll kick into high gear
& come from your heart.
It's like tapping into the mother lode.
Your story will go beyond you, & often,
that is where it really begins.
Do your best to write through
any painful or difficult memories.
Breaking down those walls frees you up, &
the act of writing generates more ideas.
Respect your impulses.
Even if you begin
with a certain idea in mind,
you will be amazed at how your story takes on a life of its own.
That's okay.
Always go in the direction that
your spirit takes you.
Surrender all & let it flow.
Put your first draft in a safe place
where it can marinate for a few days.
Then go back & look at it
with a critical eye.
Read it out loud,
or have someone else read it to you.
It'll make a difference in
how you view the piece.
Now put on your editing hat,
& find your red pen.
Go through & cut out all redundancy, overdone dialogue,
overrun sentences, & modifiers,
such as very, so & just.
Is your language colorful?
Exchange words like
beautiful, happy, nice & good
for someting richer.
Now write your second draft,
& clean up after yourself a bit more.
Clarify points.
Omit cliches.
Fill in the missing parts.
Be mindful of tense (past, present, future)
& point of view (POV) (I, you, he/she).
As you continue this paring down process with draft after draft after draft,
you'll hone your writing skills
& uncover your story's heart.
It's like shaping a piece of clay
into a magnificent work of art.
SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN
WHATEVER
YOU THINK YOU CAN DO,
OR
BELIEVE YOU CAN DO,
BEGIN IT.
ACTION HAS MAGIC,
POWER, & GRACE.
- Goethe
******************************
It's inspiring to surround your work area with positive verses.
They will uplift you,
&
energize you whenever you read them.
********************************
In real life,
people are thrilled to advise you in your affairs.
It's up to you whether you accept their counsel
or not.
However, when it comes to writing,
allow no one to tell you how to approach your story.
Think of it as your baby.
Who can better nurture, love, &
care for the little bundle of joy that you created?
Nobody.
Your approach may be different
from that of your writing peers.
That's okay.
ALL WAYS ARE PERFECT.
*************
Regarding
CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOKS
Picture books are mostly pictures.
However, they are often a child's first introduction to the written word.
Think of them as keys
with the potential
to unlock fertile, young minds.
Take a look at some award-winning, recently published, picture books
in the target age group
you plan to write for.
Notice the page count.
Generally, a picture book is 32 pages, from title page to last page.
Compare layouts of different books.
Study the structure of
a story vs. its accompanying pictures.
Every illustrator has his own style,
just as a writer does.
Get a feel for what's out there
by cruising through different books.
Then go home &
write the first draft of your story.
Later, put on your editor's hat,
& critically examine
each word in your story.
Picture book language is sparse
- generally, less than 1,000 words -
so every word counts.
Are your words powerful?
Colorful? Visual?
When you think your story is perfect,
create a dummy copy,
i.e. your own 32 page book
(sans artwork).
It will clearly show where to
add more text & where to delete.
A dummy copy is priceless.
Yes, it takes more time.
But do you want to sell your story?
Then do your homework!
Take a reasonable amount of time
with this creative process.
Your imagination deserves great respect. It will not produce under pressure.
In all you do, enjoy the journey!!!
ADVENTURES IN WRITING
By Diane E. Robertson
For years, I have compiled writing wisdoms
that I gleaned from my writing, critiquing,
conference & workshop experiences,
as well as what I learned while
creating, submitting & selling
my stories to markets for
children, young adults, & older adults.
I've also learned about goal-setting,
writer's block, motivation, priorities, & professionalism.
The result is 77 pages of inspiration, encouragement
& creative writing tips.
To purchase your copy of
ADVENTURES IN WRITING,
send $12.95 -
check or money order -
to
Diane E. Robertson
P.O.B. 14063
Bradenton, FL 34282
ARE YOU WRITING A
SCREENPLAY?
Some points to consider:
1 page of script =
1 minute of screen time.
Conflict
belongs in every scene -
hopefully,
on every page of script.
Never take the viewer
where they expect to go.
A reversal
- turning point -
must be achieved
at regular intervals,
or your story will fall flat.
