The phrase “colonial charm” often pops up in travel writing, such as in accommodation listings, descriptions of architecture, or the general vibe of a town. There’s just one problem with it. Or rather, three problems,
Tag Archives: Self-editing
Is that creature venomous or poisonous?
Knowing your venomous creatures from your poisonous ones will go a long way in building trust with your readers. Using the correct words shows you know what you’re talking about.
How to reduce the number of ‘I’s in your writing
I went here, I saw this, I did that. Too many ‘I’s can make your narrative all about you, which makes for a dull narrative akin to a report from Julius Caesar: I came, I saw, I conquered.
How to use verbs to boost your descriptions
Verbs convey action, but some verbs can have the opposite effect: they can flatten your writing and drain all the energy from a scene.
When do you capitalise “mum” and “dad”?
“Mum” can be used as a title or as a common noun. When it’s used as a title, it’s capitalised. When it’s used as a common noun, it’s lower case.
How to write (great) sex scenes
Picture the scene: your characters have been pining over each other for months and they’ve finally had their first kiss. They’re ready for more. They want to, no, need to have sex, right now.
How to use apostrophes
In this article I will show you how to use apostrophes to indicate missing letters and possession, and how they are used with years, time, Māori words, and abbreviations.
How to punctuate dialogue
Using the right punctuation in dialogue helps your readers enjoy your story without getting distracted. Good punctuation naturally guides readers, letting them focus on what people said.
What are style guides and style sheets? (And do I need one?)
Style guides are tools editors use to help ensure consistency throughout your novel, thesis, or document.
Style sheets are tailored to a specific project. They condense the most important parts of a style guide into a user friendly document.
How to proofread your own work
You don’t always have the time or luxury to pay for a proofreader so here are two tips to help you proofread your own work: listening and checklists.
Deborah Shaw Adventure Editing 