You're reading an action scene; things are really getting hot. Who will live? Will someone die? Is there a chase that's moving like lightning? You're reading a suspense scene; it's really intense. Will the protagonist be discovered? Will the escapee be recaptured? Can...
Writing
Better Safe Than Sued: Lyric Legalities
One of the most common issues we advise our clients about is the legality of using lyrics in their writing. Lyrics are extremely tempting to use in books because they set a tone, express a feeling, create atmosphere and convey a message everyone can relate to. But...
Dissecting The Fine Print: Premade Book Covers
There's no question that authors can save a lot of money by buying premade book covers for their books rather than hiring a designer to custom-make a cover. But there's a lot of "fine print" - that annoying agreement that really needs to be read before you sign on the...
Authentic Writing: Writers’ Resources For US Military References
Writers, do you believe your readers won't notice misinformation in your fiction? Think there are no fact checkers out there? You'd be wrong. Your writing is read by people with all types of backgrounds and experiences - both personal and professional. When a novel...
Do your words serve your story – or do they serve you?
by Anita Stratos, Proof Positive editor Picture this: you’re craving apple pie – one of those “just gotta have it” days – so you go to your favorite café and order up a slice. Your mouth waters when the server puts your pie in front of you, but when you look closer,...
5 Simple New Year’s Resolutions Every Writer Needs to Keep
Not sure what goals to set for yourself as a writer in 2015? Proof Positive has some ideas for you that will help keep your writing career on track whether you’re a first-time author or a highly published author. Write every day. Stop rolling your eyes. We don’t mean...
Backward Writing – Withholding Critical Information
by Anita Stratos, Proof Positive Editor In psychology, when a person withholds affection from their partner, it’s considered a form of emotional abuse. In writing, withholding important information from the reader could almost be classified as story suicide. I’m not...
Superfluous Verbiage and Unnecessary Words
by Anita Stratos, Proof Positive Editor Did you trip over the title of this post? Did you have to read it twice? If so, that’s because both phrases, “superfluous verbiage” and “unnecessary words”, mean the same thing, but your mind was trying to discern a difference....
Go That Extra Mile!
by Anita Stratos, Proof Positive Editor Your book is edited, polished, published, and out there for the world to enjoy. You’ve got it listed on Amazon, its beautiful cover (that you agonized over getting just right) beckoning readers with its siren call, “You want...
Hired Guns: Paying Someone To Research Your Book
Does it help or hinder your book to hire someone else to do the research? That’s the question of the day. Some editing businesses offer to do writers’ research for them – for a fee, of course. While it may sound good to save yourself all that research time, is it...