Gary Smailes - Updated: May 11, 2023.
Master the Three-Act Structure with this comprehensive guide for writers. Learn how to craft engaging narratives, develop characters, and maintain pacing.
Become a better writer
First-rate content to help you learn and grow as a writer
Gary Smailes - Updated: May 11, 2023.
Gary Smailes - Updated: May 02, 2023.
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Discover how to master the Hero's Journey, a powerful narrative framework, with our comprehensive guide on its stages, archetypes, and applications in storytelling.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 24, 2023.
Discover a proven strategy for planning your novel's success, from finding your core idea to the revision process, beta readers' feedback, and final preparations.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 04, 2023.
Master the second-person viewpoint with this comprehensive guide. Learn when to use it, its challenges, tips for success, notable examples, and applicability across genres.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Mar 15, 2023.
Discover the power of novel tropes in crafting compelling stories. Explore character, plot, setting, theme, and genre
Gary Smailes - Updated: Mar 09, 2023.
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Struggling with writing a book? Finding the right expert can make all the difference. Learn how to identify the right fit and get your book published.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Mar 08, 2023.
Mastering Point of View in Writing: A Comprehensive Guide" is an extensive and detailed article exploring the importance of point of view in storytelling. Learn about different types of point of view, how to choose the right one, and common mistakes to avoid.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Mar 06, 2023.
Looking for inspiration to write your next novel or short story? Check out our comprehensive guide to fiction writing prompts! Discover the benefits, types, and examples of prompts, and learn how to use them effectively in your writing practice.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Mar 02, 2023.
Learn how to take your writing to the next level with substantive editing. This comprehensive guide covers everything from structure and pacing to style and tone.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Mar 01, 2023.
Discover the best copy editing books of all time! From The Elements of Style to Copyediting and Proofreading for Dummies, this article provides an extensive list of essential resources for copy editors.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 28, 2023.
Learn the art of developmental editing for fiction with our extensive guide. From plot and character development to editing and publishing, we cover it all.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 15, 2023.
Learn how to choose and work with a fiction copy editor to improve your book's quality and success.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 13, 2023.
A complete guide to copy editing & proofreading. Learn the definitions, key differences, benefits & the pros/cons of hiring a professional or doing it yourself. Improve the quality & credibility of your writing with this informative article.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 06, 2023.
This article provides a comprehensive guide for writing a strong book proposal. It covers key topics such as understanding your target audience, conducting a market analysis, defining your unique selling proposition, creating a compelling executive summary, outlining your book, and polishing your writing style and tone. The article also includes tips for proofreading, editing, and formatting your proposal for submission. A must-read for aspiring authors looking to successfully pitch their book idea.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 02, 2023.
Maximize your writing potential with this comprehensive guide to copyediting. Learn what it is, why it's important, who can benefit, the process, common mistakes, and best practices. Get answers to FAQs and find further reading resources to improve your writing skills.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 01, 2023.
This article provides an in-depth guide to developmental editing, including its importance in the publishing process, the roles and responsibilities of a developmental editor, how to choose the right editor, the benefits of collaboration, and tips for maximizing your book's potential. It also covers what to expect during a developmental editing session, including feedback and incorporating suggestions.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 31, 2023.
This article provides an in-depth overview of self-publishing services and covers topics such as types of services, factors to consider, cost comparison, pros and cons, maximizing potential, marketing, and what to expect from a good service. It also includes suggestions for further reading and answers common reader questions.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 30, 2023.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to editing services, covering types of editing, choosing the right editor, benefits of professional editing, cost, finding a reliable provider, tips for working with an editor, the editing process, FAQ, further questions and summary. Ideal for authors looking to publish their work and take their writing to the next level.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Mar 06, 2023.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to perfecting your novel through editing. It covers the different types of editing, tips for working with an editor, and self-editing techniques. Avoid common mistakes and learn how to prepare your manuscript for editing. A must-read for any novelist looking to improve their craft.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 27, 2023.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to fiction editing, including tips and best practices for aspiring and experienced writers. Learn about the role of a fiction editor, preparing your manuscript, character development, plot and structure, dialogue and description, style and voice, consistency and continuity, and working with a professional editor. The article also includes FAQs, further reading suggestions, and a summary.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 26, 2023.
"Learn the ins and outs of copy editing with our comprehensive guide. From grammar checks to style guidelines, we cover everything you need to know to improve your written material and optimize it for SEO for 'xxx'. Get the edge you need to take your writing to the next level!"
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 28, 2023.
Manuscript critique is a crucial step in the publishing process, helping authors identify weaknesses and improve their writing skills for a more marketable manuscript. Professional editors and writers provide valuable feedback on style, pacing, and structure. Consider investing in a critique to increase your chances of getting published.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 23, 2023.
Unlock the potential of AI to elevate your writing! Learn how authors can use machine learning algorithms to improve character development, plot structure, and pacing in their novels. Discover the latest tools and techniques for using AI in the writing process. Enhance your craft and stand out in the competitive world of publishing.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 22, 2023.
This article discusses the importance of self-help book editing, including the purpose of editing, common mistakes made by authors, important elements of self-help books, benefits of self-help book editing, and examples of self-help books that have been effectively edited. It provides valuable information for both authors and readers of self-help literature.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 18, 2023.
This article provides an in-depth look into the process of memoir editing, including the importance of maintaining the author's voice, fact-checking, and final review. It explains how the editor and the author work together to create a clear, compelling, and accurate account of the author's life experiences. It also includes links to further resources on memoir writing and editing.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 17, 2023.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to manuscript evaluation, including an explanation of different types of evaluations, best practices, and tips for success. Learn about the importance of peer review, editorial review, and internal review, and the steps involved in the manuscript evaluation process. Find out how to ensure your work meets standards and gets published.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 16, 2023.
This article offers an in-depth look at thriller editing, including the importance of understanding the genre, the role of an editor in the thriller writing process, and essential techniques for creating suspense and believable characters. It also includes a list of must-read thriller novels for writers and tips for understanding the audience.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 10, 2023.
This article gives tips on finding a professional romance book editor, including asking for recommendations, checking samples, and considering availability and experience. A good editor can improve plot, characters, errors, and writing overall, help to make your novel stand out.
Science Fiction Book Editing: A Guide To Perfecting Your Story's Plot, Characters And World Building
Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 07, 2023.
This article provides tips for crafting a satisfying ending for a science fiction book, including tying up loose ends, considering the character's arc, avoiding overdoing it, and leaving room for interpretation.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 05, 2023.
This article outlines the importance of manuscript editing in the writing process and provides an overview of different types of editing, including developmental, copy, line, and proofreading. It also offers tips on choosing an editor and what to consider when selecting one.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 04, 2023.
This article offers tips and advice for effectively editing a fantasy book, including familiarizing yourself with the genre, paying attention to world-building, considering the pacing, and more. It also includes a list of recommended resources for fantasy book editors.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Nov 22, 2022.
In this article, you will discover a book proposal template that will show you how to produce a professional book proposal. In addition, it will show you how to turn a book idea into a winning manuscript and provide all the guidance you need to approach agents and traditional publishing companies with confidence.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Nov 09, 2022.
Book coaching, which is often called mentoring, will help you to turn a good idea into a great book. Discover all you need to know about book coaching.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 07, 2023.
In this article, you will learn about book royalties and book advances, you will discover what is usual for a book publisher to offer and you will find out how the publishing world is changing the way it provides advances and royalties.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 24, 2023.
Understanding the maximum and minimum word counts for novels, novellas and short stories is essential for all writers.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Jan 03, 2023.
In this article, you will discover a set of techniques that will allow you to bring cohesion and a meaningful narrative arc to the structure of your novel. I will explain how to use the Five-Act structure to organize your writing as well as go into depth about the Three-Act structure. Allowing you to avoid producing confusing, and emotionally disappointing story narratives.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 10, 2023.
What are the most popular book genres to write if you are serious about landing a book deal? Is there even such a thing as 'best book genre'? The premise of this article is that the more popular the book genre, the more books that are published and the higher the chance of you landing a book deal.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 06, 2023.
Randy Ingermanson’s Snowflake Method is one of the most respected methodologies for planning and writing a novel. If you want to write a better novel, you need to stop making it up as you go along and start applying a purposeful methodology to your process and the Snowflake Method is a great starting point.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 16, 2023.
Have you ever wondered what a book editor really does? In this article, you will discover the role of a professional book editor and what they can do to help you with your book.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 03, 2023.
In this article, you’ll discover what constitutes a good short story, whilst learning the techniques you need to create a remarkable story.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Nov 04, 2022.
In this article, you will learn about famous authors and their habits, what science has to say about developing a habit and what you can do to create your writing habit.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 19, 2022.
In this article, you’ll discover proven ways to be more creative; you’ll learn how to ensure you are creating better ideas, and you’ll find out ways to ensure that you can conjure up your most creative self each time you sit down to write.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Nov 23, 2022.
If you have ever thought about writing a book, but don’t know where to start, then this article is for you. You’ll discover the three critical elements of writing; you’ll find why knowing who will read your book is essential, and you’ll learn that why ‘just starting’ is the best approach.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Nov 29, 2022.
Knowing the time it will take for your book to be edited is an important part of the publishing process. It is often essential to be able to juggle the time taken for rewrites with booking in copyediting, proofreading, and even eBook conversion.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 16, 2023.
Learn everything you need to know about non-fiction editing with our comprehensive guide. Discover the tools, techniques, and best practices for effective editing.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 19, 2022.
There are several types of editorial feedback a writer can use for their books. These include developmental editing, copyediting, and even proofreading. However, one often overlooked type of editing is a manuscript assessment. Since a manuscript assessment is a less well-known type of feedback, it is not uncommon for writers to be unsure of what they will get for their money.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Mar 02, 2023.
Writers seeking feedback for their latest book face several editorial options, including developmental editing, copy editing, and even feedback from friends and family. In addition to these options, it is also worth considering a manuscript assessment.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 19, 2022.
As a writer, it is essential to develop several skills. Gone are the days when completing a manuscript was enough. Instead, today writers must also be technically savvy, with the ability to market their work and edit their books.
In this article, you’ll discover why self-editing is essential; you’ll also learn why checklists can help and gain access to the checklist we use at BubbleCow when professionally editing writer’s novels.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 19, 2022.
So, you’ve had your book professionally edited, and you are faced with the task of turning the feedback into something that lifts your book to the next level. This article will help you do that.
You will discover here how to get the most from your professional book edit. You’ll learn a step-by-step process that addresses all the feedback, while also applying those tracked changes and even doing major rewrites.
You will discover here how to get the most from your professional book edit. You’ll learn a step-by-step process that addresses all the feedback, while also applying those tracked changes and even doing major rewrites.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 24, 2023.
Editing your book can be a daunting prospect. Everything is so much more than checking for typos and plot holes. It, therefore, makes sense to approach the task of self-editing with a clear outline.
This is best presented in a developmental editing checklist.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 19, 2022.
When it comes to getting book editing help, it can be a long and complicated process. Book editing requires a writer to approach their books with a new and different mindset. In this article, you'll discover nine tips to help you better edit your book.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 19, 2022.
Developmental editing is a complex and time-consuming process designed to lift a book from its current draft to a publishable standard. It should take approximately one calendar month for an average-sized novel to be edited. However, several factors must be considered when working out the final turn around time for a developmental edit.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 09, 2023.
![How To Format Dialogue In A Story [In-depth Guide]](https://bubblecow.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBb2NEIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--bbb8353867fc0318dd8da39cc6b78e1dac6ec5c3/Optimized-dialogue.png)
Writing and formatting dialogue can be difficult for even the most experienced writer. The rules to formatting speech can often seem confusing and contradictory.
In this article, you’ll discover the best practice for formatting dialogue. You’ll learn simple rules that will allow you to writing dialogue like a pro and you’ll come away with an understanding that will allow you to write with freedom.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 19, 2022.
In this article, I will set out to explain why so many famous authors (Stephen King being perhaps the most vocal) warn other authors against the use of adverbs. In fact, King’s hatred of adverbs is so intense that he’s been quoted as saying, “Adverbs are evil.”
Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 19, 2022.
For some, show, don’t tell has become a cliché with little value, but as a professional editor, I’d insist that showing, not telling is the most powerful tool a writer can use. Utilizing this one technique will make you a better writer overnight. Afterall, clichés are clichés for a reason and there’s a strong element of wisdom behind the well-worn phrase.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Nov 21, 2022.
Learn how to write internal and external dialouge and become a better writer.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Nov 07, 2022.
In this article, you'll discover the basics of how to create realistic worlds that your readers will love.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Nov 15, 2022.
In this article, you'll discover how to use show, don't tell technique to write better character descriptions.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 16, 2023.
Learn the art and business of editing with this comprehensive guide. Discover essential books, techniques, genres, and technology for successful editing.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 20, 2023.
In this article, you'll discover everything you need to know about developmental editing and how much you should expect to pay for a professional edit.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Apr 19, 2022.
In this article, you'll discover a range of novel editing tips. You'll learn the steps you must take to prepare your book for publication and understand the editing process.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Jul 22, 2023.
In this article, you'll discover all about book editing. You'll also find out why book editing matters for your book and why you should consider book editing as an essential step in the writing and publishing process.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Dec 05, 2022.
In this article, you will discover how book editing works and how editorial services are right for you and your book.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 03, 2023.
![Third Person Point of View: A Comprehensive Overview For Writers [Including Examples]](https://bubblecow.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBbjhEIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--90ad7df9f97ca8234597e07cc79788320524d69a/Optimized-third_peson.png)
If you follow the techniques outlined in this article, you will be able to write more effective and revealing dialogue for your novels. The techniques will allow you to avoid writing one-dimensional characters that fail to grasp the reader's interest and imagination.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 13, 2023.
![First Person Point of View - A Comprehensive Overview for Writers [including examples]](https://bubblecow.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsibWVzc2FnZSI6IkJBaHBBb29EIiwiZXhwIjpudWxsLCJwdXIiOiJibG9iX2lkIn19--8d6f0470bb584455de9e98bda0d6f99432099e7f/Optimized-first-person.png)
Writing in first person viewpoint can be rewarding but difficult. This article provides detailed guidance for serious writer.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 20, 2023.
If you follow the techniques outlined in this article, you will be able to write more effective and revealing dialogue for your novels. The techniques will allow you to avoid writing one-dimensional characters that fail to grasp the reader's interest and imagination.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 27, 2023.
In the article you will discover the answer to the question - what is developmental editing?
Gary Smailes - Updated: Nov 24, 2022.
In this article, you will discover how to hire a freelance book editor, the main things to consider and why free samples are important.
Gary Smailes - Updated: Feb 20, 2023.
If you follow the techniques outlined in this article, you will be able to write more effective and revealing dialogue for your novels. The techniques will allow you to avoid writing one-dimensional characters that fail to grasp the reader's interest and imagination.