Deborah

Where are you hanging out online?

Kia ora, I’ve been feeling adrift since leaving Instagram earlier this year. I miss seeing what adventures people have been going on and the writing updates that people share. I want to feel that connection again, so can you help me out? Which socials are you hanging out on? Is it Insta still? Threads, Bluesky?Continue reading “Where are you hanging out online?”

The Proofreading Checklist is almost here

Kia ora, I’ve lit the fire every morning this week, partly so the living room is cosy for lunch, but mostly to keep the cats warm and out of my office. Don’t tell them, but they’re not the best editorial assistants; their suggestions are rarely in keeping with the writer’s voice and I have toContinue reading “The Proofreading Checklist is almost here”

Good at my day job

Kia ora, At the weekend, a friend and I went on a day trip to pick up fruit trees for the garden. Sure, we could have got them from a nursery in town, but these ones have been grafted from trees that tolerate the cold and windy weather that blasts this part of the SouthContinue reading “Good at my day job”

Fun in Adelaide and a mystery bird

Kia ora, Wow! Last week I ventured over to Adelaide for the Institute of Professional Editors conference. I got to meet so many of my editing friends in person for the first time! I’m still processing all the wonderful talks I attended and conversations I had, but one of the key takeaways is just howContinue reading “Fun in Adelaide and a mystery bird”

How many books do you have?

Kia ora, You may have read about the controversy surrounding the best-selling book, the Salt Path, by Raynor Winn. According to reporting from journalists at the Observer, the details about how they lost their home don’t match the account Winn gives in the Salt Path. I want to write a longer piece about truth inContinue reading “How many books do you have?”

When do I capitalise animal names?

You meet all sorts of animals on your adventures, from dogs and cats to tigers, birds, snakes and centipedes. They’re generally easy to spell, right? But what about when you get into the details, when you’re writing about Labradors, Main Coons, snow leopards, tūī, and damselflies?

Mid-year check-in

Last week I was knocked out with a cold. I must have caught it in Wanaka when I was at the festival. So I took a few days off; editing is brain work, and if the brain is fuzzy, the editing is too! This week I’m reflecting on the first half of the year andContinue reading “Mid-year check-in”

Highlights from the Mountain Film & Book Festival

Kia ora, I had a wonderful time at the Mountain Film & Book Festival! The talks were so full of energy and excitement, and the audience buzz was so much fun to be around. And of course I picked up (quite a few) new books. At the Words & Wine event, five authors read extractsContinue reading “Highlights from the Mountain Film & Book Festival”

Can you help me test this proofreading guide?

Kia ora, I have been working on a resource for writers, one that I hope will give your book a valuable boost without stretching your budget. It’s called the Proofreading Checklist. It’s a checklist, yes, but it’s more than that. I walk you through the proofreading process, what it is, what it’s not, what toContinue reading “Can you help me test this proofreading guide?”

Five reasons I love adventure books

Kia ora, I have teetering piles of books on my coffee table. Most of them are travel and adventure, some are histories. As I was reordering them last night, I admired the covers and layout and photos, all the love and effort that goes into writing and making such gorgeous books. And that got meContinue reading “Five reasons I love adventure books”