Turn the Page Blog
Thoughts, Musings & Advice on All Things Writing
You just never know where your “big break” will come from as an author. Maybe it will be a book review, maybe it will be a chance encounter with a literary agent, maybe it will be a phone call made on your behalf. Who knows? The secret is to not depend on that big break, but rather to focus on doing the legwork to get yourself there.
As a business owner you should be consistently evolving, staying relevant and finding new ways to grow your business, image and brand. There are plenty of “quick fixes” that can be accomplished, giving your profits a temporary boost, but don’t you want to do something that will have a lasting impact on you and your business? It’s time to write a book.
A reading recommendation for authors and readers alike - The Maid is a mystery (the eponymous maid discovers a body at a swish hotel and soon finds herself in the frame for it), but the puzzle feels like the least important part of the story. Molly is such a compelling character, and the writing is just so good, that the whodunnit almost feels like an afterthought. I even found myself bawling multiple times while reading.
When we are setting goals, we need to be realistic. That doesn't mean we can't "dream big" - that just means we need to be aware of our limits and figure out the steps we CAN take it order to make these dreams come true.
You want to write a book, but you probably can't write for eight hours a day - so maybe you set the goal for 20 minutes a day instead.
And if you miss a day once in a while, is it the end of the world? No.
The important thing to remember is that you need to stay focused, and stay accountable, but also be kind to yourself. The more we beat ourselves up, the less likely we are to keep moving forward with our goals, and the more likely we are to just give up and deem ourselves failures.
“Thank you, Megan. I found a less expensive editor.”
Well, ho, ho, ho.
Receiving messages like this never feels good, and even after going on 20 years in the business, it does still feel like a kick in the pants from time to time.
The sad thing about choosing your rates is that no matter what number you choose, there will be people who come along and tell you that you are too expensive. Basically, they want you to do the work for free, out of the kindness of your heart (though more likely it would be out of their ego).
Are there situations in which people have legitimate financial concerns that prevent them from spending money on non-emergency services? Absolutely.
Would I want to have someone give me their last dime and be evicted from their apartment. Of course not.
But what I see a lot, and what truly breaks my heart, is that authors will talk about their writing dreams…and then do nothing about them.
If you’ve followed me on social media at all you’ll have seen the countless mantras that I have posted that encourage authors to see themselves as necessary, creative beings, and worthy contenders in the world of publishing. There is no better time to write that first word, or that last word.
But what happens after a book has been written? Or what if major writing blocks keep an author from moving forward on their journey? What happens then?
Two things happen – authors either a) struggle indefinitely or b) invest in themselves.
By “invest” I do not mean purchase business cards or purchase another writing course they won’t have time to complete. I do not mean search for the perfect pen or pencil or notebook.
I mean they invest their time in their writing, and then when they need help they invest their money in the best possible guidance they can receive.
My purpose on this planet is to help authors make their writing great and their publishing dreams come true. That is my very deepest passion.
It is also my job, and unfortunately I can’t buy groceries with hugs and good wishes.
How do I choose my rates? I want to fall into industry standards, of course, but I also base my rates on my aforementioned nearly 20 years of experience, as well as the level of detail I put into my work.
Any editor can look at a manuscript and say, “your main character is under-developed.” But when I say that, I also go on to ask the author questions (“what is your main character’s goal?” “what are they looking for in life?”) and then give suggestions on how to improve (“if Brody is willing to sacrifice everything in order to bring Susan home, we need to establish the stakes in the first third of the book”).
So, this holiday season, I am sure that you have already spent a ton of cash on things for other people – toys aren’t getting any cheaper! But what did you get for yourself?
Just imagine what 2023 could look like if you knew that your book could finally become a real, tangible thing.
Just imagine how could it would feel to stop getting lost in the questions and the what-ifs, and have someone actually guide you through the process, kicking the roadblocks out of your way.
I’d love to talk to you about your book project, and how I can help you get that book into the readers, hungry for your words.
Hop on over to the Services page on the website, or simply respond to this email and we can see how to find a way for me to give you the assistance you need.
Give yourself (and your book) a gift this holiday season.
As we begin to close out 2022, I wish you the very best!
To you and your book!
Introducing the Author’s Roadmap, a boutique service offered to authors who are ready, really ready, to realize their long-held dreams of being published.
First we’ll begin with a 60-minute call in which we’ll get to know one another. You tell me about you and your book and what your big, audacious dreams are for getting it published (and even after that). You ask me whatever questions you have and together we identify which roadblocks are keeping you from getting to your last stop.
After we meet, you’ll send me your manuscript and I’ll dive deep within it, identifying which aspects will be most attractive to publishers, literary agents, and readers – and which might need a little work (and then I’ll tell you how to fix them).
Finally, I’ll give you the steps you will need to take to get your book published, and beloved by readers everywhere. Looking for a literary agent? I’ll tell you how to get there. Self-publishing? I’ll get you there, too.
It can be hard to know which way to go, and the options can feel overwhelming.
I’m here to get you where you need to be: published.
I thought we’d have a little fun today and explore some writing trivia. I found some wonderful sites with some great facts, and wanted to share some of those with you:
1. John Steinbeck used 300 pencils to write East of Eden and was known to use up to 60 pencils in a day.
2. The word “colygraphia” means “writer’s block.”
3. Gertrude Stein claimed the water-drinking patterns of her dog, Basket, taught her the difference between sentences and paragraphs in writing.
4. Graham Greene would write 500 words a day and then stop – even in the middle of a sentence.
5. Agatha Christie suffered from dysgraphia, which meant she could not write legibly; as a result, she dictated all of her novels.
6. When Dr. Seuss was stuck writing his books, he would go to a secret closet filled with hundreds of hats and wear them till the words came.
7. In the 1891 UK census, 6,000 respondents identified themselves as writers, editors, or journalists; by 1901, the figure had risen to 11,000.
8. Introverts make the best writers. There is a stereotype that writers are lonely, maladjusted introverts who don’t enjoy interacting with other people. While this stereotype isn’t completely true, studies have found that introverts are more creative and thus better creative writers. One of the reasons for this is likely that introversion gives someone more time to think alone, and thinking alone helps to spark creativity.
9. Creative writing is similar to professional athletics. A German researcher, Martin Lotze, studied the brains of both professional athletes and professional writers and found that their brain activity was very similar during athletic competition and the writing process. Interestingly, Lotze found that professional writers and amateur writers had a key difference: Professional writers used their speech-processing center of the brain to develop their stories, while amateur writers relied on their vision centers to imagine the story first.
10. Our language is constantly changing. The English language changes at an astonishing rate. By one estimate, a new word is added to the dictionary every two hours. The conventions for how to use words also change at regular intervals. For example, some of the leading style guides, such as Chicago, APA, MLA, and AP change their rules for how to use punctuation, pronouns, and specific words and phrases at regular intervals. Writers need to keep up with the latest style changes to ensure their writing meets the mark.
The Author Power Pack: 4 Mini-Trainings to Make Your Writing Dreams Happen and Get Your Book Published Now
Discover Industry Insider Tips and Tricks to FINALLY Write and Publish The Book You’ve Been Talking About Forever
I’m sharing:
• Why you need a nonfiction book proposal, how to write one, and how to make yours stand out from the hundreds of others agents and editors see every day
• The 16 common mistakes and missteps that even the best authors make when writing, editing, and pitching their manuscripts
• The #1 mistake that most authors are making (without even realizing it!) and how you can fix it so you can finally get your book written and published
• The 12 specific strategies my clients use to build their platforms
• The secrets to creating a stellar “elevator pitch” and becoming a pro at pitching yourself
Click the link below to purchase your game-changing Author Power Pack Today!
Audrey Hepburn is one of the most famous actresses of all time. Her presence on the screen is unforgettable, and she seemed to move through the world as a sort of luminous being.
She had a pretty tragic childhood (thanks, World War II), and plenty of heartbreak throughout her life, but for all intents and purposes seemed to never lose her vivacity, and her passion for absorbing life and leaving a terrific legacy behind.
She is an inspiration just as a human being, but of course as a creative person who had many gifts that touched people all over the world.
When you’re struggling with your writing, or life, perhaps let yourself hear Audrey’s voice, and let her words permeate:
“Nothing is impossible; the word itself says ‘I’m possible!’”
Believe in yourself – you must do that before asking anyone else to do so, too. You CAN become an author. You CAN write a book. There are no limits.
“Paris is always a good idea.”
If you’re feeling stuck, get out. Is there a place you can go where you can feel relaxed or recharged? Is there a local garden that delights you with its beauty? Do you feel inspired walking about your local bookstore?
“I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.”
Even the luckiest of authors still face roadblocks along the way – rejection letters, a lack of confidence, etc. But it’s so important to keep moving forward. There IS light at the end of the tunnel – your day will come.
"Good things aren’t supposed to just fall into your lap. God is very generous, but He expects you to do your part first."
You can’t become a bestselling author without a book. You can’t make readers’ hearts swell if they have nothing to read.
“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it’s at the end of your arm. As you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.”
Books have the power to change lives. If you have something to share with the world, it is your goal to share it – whether you’re educating, entertaining, comforting, and/or inspiring.
I believe in you!
The Author Power Pack: 4 Mini-Trainings to Make Your Writing Dreams Happen and Get Your Book Published Now
Discover Industry Insider Tips and Tricks to FINALLY Write and Publish The Book You’ve Been Talking About Forever
I’m sharing:
• Why you need a nonfiction book proposal, how to write one, and how to make yours stand out from the hundreds of others agents and editors see every day
• The 16 common mistakes and missteps that even the best authors make when writing, editing, and pitching their manuscripts
• The #1 mistake that most authors are making (without even realizing it!) and how you can fix it so you can finally get your book written and published
• The 12 specific strategies my clients use to build their platforms
• The secrets to creating a stellar “elevator pitch” and becoming a pro at pitching yourself
Click the link below to purchase your game-changing Author Power Pack Today!
A favorite part of my job? Reading books, of course! But there is so much more to the life of a book coach than that – namely finding ways to help authors (the other favorite part of my job!).
Just as every author and book project are unique, no day is the same for me. Some days are better than others, for sure, but no matter what I am grateful to be doing exactly what I feel I was put on earth to do.
There are some authors that focus on only one type of editing, or one genre of book, but I prefer the variety. One week I may work with a fantasy novelist, the next the CFO of a large corporation who is writing a business book.
Just as a reminder, there are two main types of editing: developmental and copy editing.
Developmental editing focuses on “big picture” things like structure and content and theme. Basically, I read through a manuscript and, using track changes, make changes and suggestions directly on the document, as well as questions in the margins. Then I send the client back the redline and clean versions of their manuscript.
Copy editing looks at things like spelling, grammar, syntax, etc. Like with developmental editing, I make changes directly to the document and then send my revisions back to my client.
My rates for both types of editing depend on the word count of the document. Developmental editing is more expensive because it is more detailed.
Manuscript assessment is another service I provide, and it involves me reading through the manuscript and then delivering a memo outlining the book’s areas for improvement (as well as strengths, too!), in addition to any potential obstacles I see on theirr path to publication.
I also work with authors to draft query letters (or edit existing ones they may have) that they will be sending out to agents and publishers to get them excited about their book.
Finally, I offer customizable coaching packages for folks that would like a little extra encouragement, guidance, and/or hand-holding. I do one-off coaching calls that are about an hour, or I do monthly coaching, which involves multiple calls and lots and lots of emailing.
So here are some things you might find me doing on any given day:
1) Doing a coaching call with an author who is writing a memoir and is trying to decide whether to self-publish or publish traditionally.
2) Copy editing a thriller about a police offer whose quest to save an abused wife leaves her haunted by her past.
3) Developmental editing a business book based on lessons learned from one of the world’s most famous bands.
4) Speaking at a writer’s conference about mistakes and missteps even the best authors make.
5) Writing new blog entries and newsletters, and scheduling those for publication.
6) Doing publishing research to keep up with the latest news in the world of books, as well as making sure I am sharing the information my author clients need to do.
7) Working with a monthly coaching client to put together a writing schedule that works for him.
8) Spending way too much time looking for funny book- and writing-related memes.
9) Being interviewed on a podcast for entrepreneurs, discussing how a book is a great way to grow one’s business.
Do you have any questions about book coaches? Just comment below and let me know!
Introducing the Author’s Roadmap, a boutique service offered to authors who are ready, really ready, to realize their long-held dreams of being published.
First we’ll begin with a 60-minute call in which we’ll get to know one another. You tell me about you and your book and what your big, audacious dreams are for getting it published (and even after that). You ask me whatever questions you have and together we identify which roadblocks are keeping you from getting to your last stop.
After we meet, you’ll send me your manuscript and I’ll dive deep within it, identifying which aspects will be most attractive to publishers, literary agents, and readers – and which might need a little work (and then I’ll tell you how to fix them).
Finally, I’ll give you the steps you will need to take to get your book published, and beloved by readers everywhere. Looking for a literary agent? I’ll tell you how to get there. Self-publishing? I’ll get you there, too.
It can be hard to know which way to go, and the options can feel overwhelming.
I’m here to get you where you need to be: published.
Today I’m not going to talk about platforms, plot twists, or character development. Instead, I’m going to talk about one of my favorite things: the Oxford comma.
The Oxford comma (also known as the serial comma, series comma, or Harvard comma) is something that grammar nerds and English-language aficionados love to debate.
As “serial” indicates, the Oxford comma is used when listing a series of items. It is placed immediately after the penultimate (second to last) term in the series.
So you might say: apples, oranges, and bananas.
But you would actually be okay NOT using the final comma, and instead just writing it as this: apples, oranges and bananas. People adhering to the AP Guidebook (e.g. newspaper reporters), generally don’t use the Oxford comma.
Here is where things get tricky, though. If a comma will change the meaning of a sentence, then the Oxford comma would be appropriate.
I am inspired by my parents, Barack Obama and Taylor Swift.
Unless your parents are actually Barack Obama and Taylor Swift, you’ll want to add that comma after “Obama.”
(If you find yourself on the anti-comma side of the spectrum, of course the solution would be rewriting the sentence: I am inspired by Barack Obama, Taylor Swift and my parents.)
Introducing the Author’s Roadmap, a boutique service offered to authors who are ready, really ready, to realize their long-held dreams of being published.
First we’ll begin with a 60-minute call in which we’ll get to know one another. You tell me about you and your book and what your big, audacious dreams are for getting it published (and even after that). You ask me whatever questions you have and together we identify which roadblocks are keeping you from getting to your last stop.
After we meet, you’ll send me your manuscript and I’ll dive deep within it, identifying which aspects will be most attractive to publishers, literary agents, and readers – and which might need a little work (and then I’ll tell you how to fix them).
Finally, I’ll give you the steps you will need to take to get your book published, and beloved by readers everywhere. Looking for a literary agent? I’ll tell you how to get there. Self-publishing? I’ll get you there, too.
It can be hard to know which way to go, and the options can feel overwhelming.
I’m here to get you where you need to be: published.
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