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”
Category Archives: Email
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”
See you in Wanaka?
Kia ora, I’m going to Wanaka for the Mountain Film & Book Festival! ✅Accommodation booked ✅Event tickets booked Whoo hoo! I’ll be attending the Words and Wine event on Sunday evening. The speaker line-up is fantastic. I’m looking forward to hearing Naomi Arnold talk about her time on Te Araroa. (Do check out Northbound –Continue reading “See you in Wanaka?”
Easy wins for your writing
Kia ora, Yesterday I sent out the final part in my three-part series on words that weaken your writing. Check out all three: These are just some of the words and phrases I watch out for when I edit travel and adventure stories. On their own, “decide”, “thing”, and “it was” are fairly tame, butContinue reading “Easy wins for your writing”
How many drafts do you have?
Kia ora, How many travel or adventure drafts do you have sitting unfinished? Those drafts could be blog posts or articles, or full manuscripts. Reply and let me know your number. I want to know, and I’m not judging. Cheers, Deborah P.S. Don’t like your number? Want help with those drafts? I can help. ReplyContinue reading “How many drafts do you have?”
Metaphorical pickles
Kia ora, A pickle some travel and adventure writers get into is writing all about themselves. It’s easy to do because that’s the natural angle to take when you’re writing about your trip. Naturally, when you write about where you went, what you did, and how you got yourself out of different pickles, you writeContinue reading “Metaphorical pickles”
Being intentional with your words
Kia ora, I had a great weekend away at Arrowtown, just outside of Queenstown. A group of us heaved ourselves around the Sawpit Gully track. Steep on the way up, steep on the way down! The crisp, blue skies and autumn colours were just gorgeous. In last week’s email I talked about my dislike ofContinue reading “Being intentional with your words”
Tell me your opinion on this
Kia ora, I’m heading away this weekend, so I’m getting my gear together. Snacks are a key part of the day walk and tramping experience. My go-tos: One Square Meal bars (apricot or cranberry) and Whittaker’s Peanut Slabs. But I’ve got to tell you: I can’t do scroggin. Even if I lace it with M&Ms.Continue reading “Tell me your opinion on this”
I’m so inspired
Kia ora, A few weeks ago I sent an edit back to a new writer. I always find this to be a nail-biting experience. Will they like my edits? Will they find my suggestions helpful? Have I caught everything I can? My main goal is always to help writers bring out the best in theirContinue reading “I’m so inspired”
Deborah Shaw Adventure Editing 