Kia ora, Mum handed me a $5 note and a pen and said, “Go up and say hi!” She gave me a gentle nudge on the back. A few metres in front of me was Sir Edmund Hillary, one of the first two people to stand on Mount Everest. We were at the opening ofContinue reading “Sometimes you need a gentle nudge”
Tag Archives: writing
Readers only see the finished product
Kia ora, When people pick up a book in a bookshop or library, they see the final product. They see your name on the cover and think, cool, this looks like a great book, I’ll check it out. They don’t see the weeks (months, years) that went into writing the story. They don’t see theContinue reading “Readers only see the finished product”
My digital tools and AI policy
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and Perplexity are ever-evolving. Equally, our ability to turn off features or minimise their use isn’t always straightforward or possible. I know I’m not the only one who finds these features’ intrusion into my daily and professional life unwelcome. I use plenty of digital tools to help meContinue reading “My digital tools and AI policy”
Finding my 2026 rhythm
Kia ora, It’s taken a couple of weeks, but I finally feel like I’m finding my 2026 rhythm. How about you? Thank you for being here with me for another year of adventures and adventure writing! Over the holidays I mulled over a few ideas for how I can better help you get into theContinue reading “Finding my 2026 rhythm”
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays
Kia ora, I don’t know about you, but I am hanging out for the Christmas break. Don’t get me wrong – I’ve had a great year editing a lot of fantastic manuscripts for wonderful authors, but summer is here and the beach is calling. Wherever you are in the world, whether you celebrate Christmas orContinue reading “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays”
Busting myths that travel & adventure writers have about editing
Too many new writers let common myths about editing hold them back from working with the very people who can kick their writing up a notch. I’m taking about editors like me. I’m not here to just check your spelling and grammar, and I’m never going to tell you that you’re a bad writer. I’mContinue reading “Busting myths that travel & adventure writers have about editing”
Are you a writer?
Kia ora, A writer I worked with earlier in the year got in touch recently with an update. He’d just finished self publishing his first book – the book we worked on together. “I guess I’m a writer now!” he said. I shared his joy, of course! Getting that first book out is huge. ButContinue reading “Are you a writer?”
There are more important things to argue about than commas
Kia ora, I would like to file a complaint with the manager, who is, unfortunately, me. I allowed myself to get into an argument with someone about the Oxford comma. On Facebook, no less. Who have I become. If you need a refresh, the Oxford comma (or serial comma, or series comma) is the finalContinue reading “There are more important things to argue about than commas”
Pull your writing out of the toddler zone
Kia ora, Have you ever got stuck talking to a toddler who’s telling you all about their trip to the playground and that they got to feed the ducks, and then they got chased by the ducks, and then they stood in duck poo, and then they found a stick, and then, and then, andContinue reading “Pull your writing out of the toddler zone”
Avoid boring travel narratives: six ways to bring your readers along for the ride
When you’re writing for readers who aren’t your mum or best friend, you want to avoid sounding like all you’ve done is gone from a to b to c. That’s a sure-fire way to turn off readers.
The best way to avoid that “I went here, then I went there” trap is to pepper in details that will make readers care.
Deborah Shaw Adventure Editing 