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I am a book coach and formatter for indie-authors. I teach others how to format, edit, and guide new authors through the maze that is self-publishing.

07/06/2026

Tech: StoryLine Obsidian Plug-in Review

I am always looking for easier ways to organize the writing of my books. I’ve used everything from Scrivener to physical index cards. Recently, I came across a plug-in for Obsidian that looks like it might be promising (no guarantees yet). It’s called StoryLine. I’m still getting to know this software, but it is definitely the most complete novel-writing plug-in for Obsidian I’ve found....

I am always looking for easier ways to organize the writing of my books. I’ve used everything from Scrivener to physical index cards. Recently, I came across a plug-in for Obsidian that looks like it might be promising (no guarantees yet). It’s called StoryLine. I’m still getting to know this ...

31/05/2026

Five Things You Need at the End of Your Novel

First, my apologies for not posting last week. We had a pet illness that, sadly, led to the passing of the kitty. I was in no fit state to write anything for a few days. Now, on to what I’ve been up to this week! I was recently reminded of two very important things authors need to have in their books: an up-to-date list of other books and a reader magnet to entice readers to sign up for your newsletter....

First, my apologies for not posting last week. We had a pet illness that, sadly, led to the passing of the kitty. I was in no fit state to write anything for a few days. Now, on to what I’ve been up to this week! I was recently reminded of two very important things authors […]

17/05/2026

Craft: Creating Realistic Characters

There is nothing that makes a reader put down a book faster than boring characters. Even if your plot is fascinating and action-packed, if the reader doesn’t care about the characters, why should they read on? I know there is a lot written on how to write characters in depth, 3-D — whatever you want to call it—but I figured it couldn’t hurt to discuss it again (especially since I just finished editing a book where one of the main characters was a fascinating, broken person with clear goals and a complicated backstory… and the other main character was practically a cardboard cut-out of a person)....

There is nothing that makes a reader put down a book faster than boring characters. Even if your plot is fascinating and action-packed, if the reader doesn’t care about the characters, why should they read on? I know there is a lot written on how to write characters in depth, 3-D — whatever you ...

10/05/2026

Tech: Lacuna New Formatting Software Review

There’s new formatting software in town! I’m a formatter. I have been since 2011 when I learned html so that I could format my own books, and those of other authors, into an ebook. Since then there have been so many innovations, new ways to format your book. There is now everything from Jutoh (highly adaptive and filled with incredible features and loads of ways to personalize your book) to Vellum (a super-easy way to format, but only if you work on a Mac)....

There’s new formatting software in town! I’m a formatter. I have been since 2011 when I learned html so that I could format my own books, and those of other authors, into an ebook. Since then there have been so many innovations, new ways to format your book. There is now everything from Jutoh (h...

24/04/2026

Publishing: Building Your Team

Are you thinking about self-publishing your work? If yes, then the very first thing you need to know is that the term “self-publishing” is not actually what people do. No one can do everything necessary to publish a book. It takes a team to “self-publish.” Here are all the people you will need on your team: A Developmental Editor/Coach: Especially if you’re new to writing, a book coach or developmental editor will read what you’ve written and show where you need to strengthen your writing, fix your story structure or pacing, and teach you whatever writing craft you need to know....

Are you thinking about self-publishing your work? If yes, then the very first thing you need to know is that the term “self-publishing” is not actually what people do. No one can do everything necessary to publish a book. It takes a team to “self-publish.” Here are all the people you will ne...

19/04/2026

Book Review: Author Stuck List

The Author Stuck List by Becca Syme is Syme's Author Stuck Cards in book form. The book (and cards) are for any author who is having problems progressing with the writing of their book. As a writing coach, I've seen and spoken with a good number of authors who are having trouble writing. It's a common problem that can be anything from complete avoidance of their writing—not wanting to even think about it—to being unsure of what happens next in their WIP....

The Author Stuck List by Becca Syme is Syme’s Author Stuck Cards in book form. The book (and cards) are for any author who is having problems progressing with the writing of their book. As a writing coach, I’ve seen and spoken with a good number of authors who are having trouble writing. It’s ...

12/04/2026

Craft: Adding Jargon to Your Novel

A brief word about this blog first: The absolutely hardest thing about writing a weekly blog post is coming up with topics to write about. Since I’ve been publishing this blog for fifteen years now (!!!), I feel as if I’ve covered everything and sometimes many times over. Still, every week I sit and stare at a blank page in Microsoft Word and try to think of what to write!...

A brief word about this blog first: The absolutely hardest thing about writing a weekly blog post is coming up with topics to write about. Since I’ve been publishing this blog for fifteen years now (!!!), I feel as if I’ve covered everything and sometimes many times over. Still, every week I sit...

06/04/2026

Ten Ways to Give Your Character Their Voice

Writing distinct character voices might be one of the most difficult parts of writing fiction. It is one thing to write great, believable dialogue that moves your story forward, but then to imbue those words with the individual voice of the character who speaks takes your writing to the next level. There are a lot of ways you can distinguish one character’s voice from another....

Writing distinct character voices might be one of the most difficult parts of writing fiction. It is one thing to write great, believable dialogue that moves your story forward, but then to imbue those words with the individual voice of the character who speaks takes your writing to the next level.....

29/03/2026

Five Reasons You Need a Human Editor

AI is everywhere and you might be using it without even knowing you’re doing so. How? By using the common editing apps Grammarly and ProWriting Aid. They are both now powered by AI. So, what’s the best way to avoid using any AI in the writing of your novel? Use a human editor. Here are five reasons why: Voice: an author’s voice sometimes doesn’t follow the rules of grammar....

AI is everywhere and you might be using it without even knowing you’re doing so. How? By using the common editing apps Grammarly and ProWriting Aid. They are both now powered by AI. So, what’s the best way to avoid using any AI in the writing of your novel? Use a human editor. Here are […]

15/03/2026

Non-Linear Storytelling–Should You Attempt It?

A client of mind recently sent me a novella. It started out with “four years ago.” Okay. I can deal with a little backstory to begin with. The next chapter was “one year ago.” Cool, we’re coming up on present day. A little slowly, but we’re good. Next chapter “present day.” Okay! Here we go with the real story. It took two chapters of a novella, but that’s okay....

A client of mind recently sent me a novella. It started out with “four years ago.” Okay. I can deal with a little backstory to begin with. The next chapter was “one year ago.” Cool, we’re coming up on present day. A little slowly, but we’re good. Next chapter “present day.” Okay! Her...

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