Tag: writing

Posted in punctuation, Writing craft

When the Ellipsis is Your Favourite Punctuation Mark

Posted on by Patricia J. Parsons

Every writer has favourite punctuation marks. Yes, I know how odd this sounds, but if you think about it for a moment, I’m sure you’ll agree. Some people love an exclamation point (although it was either Mark Twain or F. Scott Fitzgerald who once said that an exclamation point is like laughing at your own joke—no one really knows who said it). Others among us love to use em-dashes whenever it seems appropriate (or even when parentheses would work better). What about the ellipsis?

Those seemingly innocuous three little dots that have several cool uses are among the punctuation marks that are sorely abused. I know because I’m someone who abuses them regularly. Even the correct way to space them often eludes me. So, I did a bit of research.

In my current episode of WRITE. FIX. REPEAT. I’m sharing five tips for correctly using these handy little punctuation marks.

Posted in Books, Fiction Writing, Nonfiction Writing, Self-Publishing

Write and Publish a Book in a Year: It Can Be Done

Posted on by Patricia J. Parsons

Three years ago, I started a little YouTube channel for writers—or, more precisely, aspiring writers. More than thirty years ago, I began teaching writing to university students. And before that, I started writing—and publishing. These three elements of my writing and publishing career have finally come together in my newest book.

Over the past decade, I’ve become increasingly concerned about the seemingly uncountable number of people who are writing books—and publishing them, for better or for worse. Many of these would-be writers have no one other than Facebook writing groups to answer their questions. Many of those people in Facebook (and LinkedIn) groups either have little more knowledge and expertise than they do or, worse, are only there to try to sell their services to unsuspecting writers.

There is little doubt in my mind that every new writer could benefit from a writing tutor, teacher, guide or even sherpa for this journey because it is, indeed, a journey. And that’s just how I’ve framed my new book.

One Year to Author: Your Roadmap Guide to Writing and Publishing Your Book in Twelve Months is a compilation of the lessons I’ve learned in almost forty years of writing and publishing. It’s written in a workbook format so that you can use it as your roadmap as you begin to understand what you need to know to write and publish in the next twelve months—and actually accomplish your goal.  

Here’s a glimpse of what it’s all about.

One Year to Author on Amazon…

Posted in Pitching books, Writing books

Writing Killer Query Letters

Posted on by Patricia J. Parsons

If you’ve been writing for even a short time, you’ve probably already heard the term “query letter.” If not, let me introduce you to one of the most important tools in a writer’s toolbox.

If you’re a writer seeking an agent or publisher for a book or a freelance writer trying to place magazine or blog pieces in publications, you’ll have to learn to write a query letter. This letter has a specific objective: to interest the recipient in your work sufficiently for them to want to see more of it.

A well-crafted query letter is crucial because it often serves as the first impression of your manuscript and you as an author. Since agents and editors receive numerous queries every week, you’re going to have to have a letter that makes you stand out. Do you know how to write a compelling, professional query? I’ve been writing query letters for almost four decades, and in this episode of WRITE. FIX. REPEAT. I’m sharing five tips to help you write a killer one.