An Inside Look at the Working Indie Author: My Editing Process

I thought I would give you a deeper look at my editing process. Now mind you, I am not a grammar queen. I do my best, but it is not my forte. I rely on several software programs and an editor/proofreader. Please bear in mind that no matter what software program you use, it will never outweigh the human touch.

When I do my initial writing it is strictly a rough draft. What I start out with, and what I end with, are often two very different versions. Even though I am following an outline---most of the time---I am still getting my jumbled thoughts down on paper. Once it is all written it is time to fine-tune.

I work chapter by chapter. I complete all steps below before I move on to the next one.

1.  I first do a read through of the entire chapter and correct any blatant dialog I want to change or improve.

2.  The second step is to use good, old Word's spelling & grammar checker. It is not the most intuitive, but it does a good job at getting the glaring mistakes out of the way. I'm old school; those double spaces at the end of a sentence always gets me. Sigh, I guess I am showing my age, which dates back to the typewriter.

3. Now I start going paragraph by paragraph using StyleWriter. I really like this program. I use it a lot. It is not inexpensive, but it is worth the price tag. It starts at $150.00 for the standard version, although you can download a free trial. I use the premium version.

4. Finally, when I am done with that stage, I move on to ProWritingAid. It is a membership, fee-based online service. I love their software, too! It really helps to point out your overuse of words, adverb overload, sentence length, etc. There are several different reports to choose from to target what you are looking to correct.

Keep in mind that programs can only make suggestions. It is up to you to implement them. Some you may opt to utilize, and others you may not. The programs are always pointing out my fragments and saying, "No, no, no!" However, that is how I am purposely writing in certain situations. It is intentional. Therefore, I choose not to take the program's advice. Remember, you are in control!

Once I have gone through all the chapters, I sit down and re-read with a red pen. I once again start making changes. I will continue on this process until I am happy with my manuscript. Then it is important to listen to your manuscript. I don't mean read it. I mean listen to it. Use Word's function to have it play back your manuscript. It is amazing the little things your ear will catch that your eye did not!

Now it is time to turn your project over to a human. This is where my editor/proofreader comes in to play. Her advice is invaluable and it is important to listen to the feedback. However, remember it is still just advice! Ultimate control of your book is in your hand. Find someone who's opinion you value and trust. I trust my editor more than anyone. She is my daughter. She is an English/Communication double major, has a side editing business, is the Honors English Mentor for her college, and works for one of Forbes' Top 10 Companies to Work For as an intern where she regularly creates and edits documents. (Sound like a commercial yet?) Plus. how many writers can say they have the pleasure of working with their adult child? I knew that college tuition was going to pay off!

When it is all said and done, and you feel confident in your manuscript---not that we are ever entirely satisfied---it is then, and only then, you are ready to go to print.

A well written story deserves to go through an editing process that will do it justice. None of our books can be perfect, but they can be the best we have to offer and deserves our best efforts.

So remember, when you are done writing, don't forget the hashtag #amediting!

Wishing you the best and every success,

K. Lamb

Warning:  This post did not go through any software editing programs so I hope you survived! :)

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Photo Credit:
Google
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http://www.kiagarrifues.com

What is your dream?

It has been a very busy week for me as I have been editing my third book in the Dani P. Mystery series. It is the first edit after the rough draft so it is a slow process. As I make my way methodically through the book, I think about how blessed I am to be realizing my dreams. We all have them. However, as we make our way through our busy lives we sometimes push them aside. After all, we our productive adults with jobs and families to care for on a daily basis. What little time we have left usually does not allow us much freedom to pursue our own passions. You know the ones I'm talking about. The ones hidden deep within you. There is something you want to accomplish in life, before you are too old to still pursue them. Don't wait. Time has a way of ticking by, and then perhaps, it will be too late.

Sometimes it takes an epiphany; a revelation of sorts, before you recognize that there has to be more to life than just the day-to-day basics. You deserve more than just envisioning what lies in your heart, you deserve the outcome. Do not take life for granted, but embrace it. Seize all the warm, wonderful opportunities that lie before you.

Whether your dream is to write the next great novel, make children passionate about literature, climb Mt. Everest, or sail around the world---today is the day. Take that first step. Love your family, do the best you can in your job, and then put aside the time you need to make your own soul revel in the fact that you accomplished everything you set out to do in this life. Don't look back with regrets or let fear of the unknown stand in your way. This is your time. Smile and be blessed---then move forward with courage and confidence.

Wishing you all a lifetime of realized dreams,

K. Lamb

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Photo credit: http://www.quotesnsmiles.com

Dani P. Mystery Welcomes Katrina Glidewell, Illustrator

I am excited to announce some big changes ahead for the Dani P. Mystery series! I'd like you to join me in welcoming illustrator Katrina Glidewell to Dani’s adventures!

Katrina is a 28 year old artist attending Media Arts and Animations. During her studies she had the opportunity to work on a number of projects as a character designer, storyboard artist, and animator. With her impending graduation in August 2014, she decided to enter the working world as a freelance artist. Katrina’s love of drawing began when she was old enough to hold a crayon. She and her husband reside in Delaware where she can now share those crayons with her 5-year old son.

Dani P. Mystery will be debuting the wonderful illustrations by Katrina with the third book in the series Dani and the Rocking Horse Ranch. Enjoy a look at her artistry with the illustration (left) that will be featured on the cover of Dani and the Hidden Treasure, Book #4.  

Again, we hope you will join us in welcoming Katrina as Dani goes through a new re-design in the upcoming books. We will also be converting the website as new illustrations become available.

Wishing you all a little mystery and adventure,

K. Lamb

Thought for the day...

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Photo source: Google, source unknown
Originally quote by K. Lamb

Ask Me!

I am currently taking questions on Goodreads and I thought it would be interesting to share my answers on my blog as well. Do you have a question? Ask me on:  Goodreads.com

What importance do you give on the design of the covers and illustrations on your books?

K. Lamb Thank you for your question, Raul.

Illustrations and cover art are extremely important, especially since I write early chapter books. These are books for children that are just starting out on the adventure of reading by themselves. This can be a difficult, and exciting, transition for a child when first stepping out of picture books.

Illustrations help a child envision the story when they first begin to read on their own. Therefore, an early chapter book needs illustrations that depict key scenes in the book. A good relationship between author and illustrator is paramount to the success of a book, in my humble opinion.

Finding an illustrator you work well with and that sees your vision isn't always as easy as it sounds. There are many wonderful artists, but it is a matter of pairing yourself to the person that sees the story through your eyes. This is the responsibility of the author to be able to properly explain the setting and the illustrator grasping that concept.

Pair the right illustrator and author together--- and that is where the magic begins!

A Social Experiment in Twitter

I will readily admit to everyone that I am not Twitter savvy. When I first signed up, because everything I read on marketing kept touting Twitter, I was overwhelmed by it---and I still am. I was suddenly thrust into the world of tweets, retweets, and hashtags. What did I want to talk about and who did I even have to talk to? Never mind even trying to figure out how I was going to gain followers.

Then a revelation hit---be myself. I'm a friendly person with a ready smile, but that doesn't easily translate into twitter speak. I had to let my tweets speak for me. I tried my best to be helpful and cheery as I made connections. I wanted the people I was connecting with to see me as a person and not just as a name following an @ sign. Slowly I started gaining followers. Then my numbers started to jump and I am now at over 2,000. That may not be a big number to some, but to me it is magical!

I spent a massive amount of time RT and promoting other authors, their books, etc. I enjoyed it because I love helping others, which made me happy. In the process I made wonderful connections and friendships. It wasn't until later that I began to notice I didn't actually seem to have time to write anymore because I was always tied to my Twitter account. That wasn't good. I also received a comment from someone whose opinion I truly value.  They had gone to my Twitter page to see what I have been up to lately only to be disappointed. Their comment? I had lost my "voice." They said my Twitter feed no longer showed who I was as a person or a writer, but instead was filled with retweets and promos of others. They said that they understood this was important, but so was representing myself as an author. Somehow I had gotten lost along the way.

That is when I decided to start a social experiment. I want my followers to know me and the issues I find important such as children's literacy. I needed to regain my own Twitter identity. Thus, I decided to introduce Thankful Thursdays. Each week I will dedicate the entire day to showcase and celebrate my followers. It is my way of saying thank you for following me and caring about me as a person, my books, and children's literacy. I will spend this time interacting and enjoying a bit of camaraderie. The other days of the week I will be focusing on actual content that they will hopefully find useful and beneficial. It will also get me back to writing. Of course, I am always willing to make changes along the way until I find a scenario that works.

I am calling this a social experiment because I do not know how Twitter will react to the changes I am about to implement. I hope it will prove successful. I look forward to seeing whether my numbers will dwindle or gain. The one thing I can guarantee, I will always strive to make a real connection with my followers.

Wishing you all the best,

K. Lamb
@danipmystery
@author_klamb

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Ask Me!

I am currently taking questions on Goodreads and I thought it would be interesting to share my answers on my blog as well. Do you have a question? Ask me on:  Goodreads.com

This evening I received a few questions. They are:

1.  The legal terms and the way of paying of this distribution channels could scare potential authors? why?

2.  What is your opinion of the process that amazon and smashwords uses to pay the authors?

3.  What is your opinion of Amazon and smashwords legal terms?

K. Lamb To clarify, when you say "Amazon" I am assuming you are referring to Kindle Direct Publishing and CreateSpace, which I believe are subsidiaries of Amazon. I am only aware of their terms since I do not use Smashwords; however, my advice would be the same. My advice is also the same for all three questions you posed, therefore, I shall combine my response.

I think in any circumstance it is important for the individual to do their own due diligence. Before moving forward they have to be comfortable in their decision. If not, then it would not be the right platform for them. Since there is no bargaining room with Amazon (or I'm assuming Smashwords) it would be a "take it or leave it" situation. You either want to proceed or you decline and go a different route. That is a decision that can only be determined by each individual based on their needs.

As I am not an attorney, I do not feel it would be appropriate for me to discuss the legalities of their policies in either a private or public forum. If someone does have a question in regards to their verbiage, I would thoroughly recommend that they consult an attorney before entering into any arrangement so they are fully aware of what they are committing to prior to proceeding.

Once again, thank you for your questions!

Wishing you all the best,

K. Lamb