Edit yourself like a pro. I'm a writer, editor, and book coach who has worked with more than 4,000 students, entrepreneurs, and corporate/institutional clients over the last 30+ years. You'll hear from me in your Inbox every other Wednesday at 2pm EST :) Reader Testimonials: "You're one of the cheeriest, funniest, most helpful writer-oriented people I know! Thanks for being out there!" "Love your newsletter, especially your light-handedness! Thanks :-D" "I enjoy your insights and style. Thank you for providing the newsletter!" "I am LOVING your newsletter and am very happy I discovered it 😊" "You're awesome—keep up the good work!" "Can't tell you how much I enjoy reading your newsletter. You uncomplicate things authors are puzzled about." "I so enjoy your writing and sense of humor. You make editing sound like fun!!" "I love everything about Editorial Notes. Keep up the great content!"
Eye Dee Ten Tee, What Else?, and Writer Platform!
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Hiya Reader, I have an inaccessible loft window in my bedroom, and a few years ago I ordered a custom shade with a built-in solar battery, to be installed. It took a scissor lift. The shade worked great until it didn't...the solar battery needed to be plugged in to be charged. Now, I'll be the first to admit that this may have been an eye dee ten tee error* on my part, but on the other hand, if that had been adequately explained to me, I would have known the solution...was not a solution. Long story short, an electrician came over and, risking his life by balancing a ladder on a railing 33 feet above the floor, installed an outlet and plugged the shade in. Problem solved? Well, not quite. Here's the photo at 2am on the first night. Like a laser beam straight to the eyes, I tell ya! The issue has since been fixed in a series of events far too boring to go through here. But the whole process reminded me a bit of self-editing in writing: fix a major problem, create a new one! *eye dee ten tee = ID-10-T = IDIOT Think a friend would appreciate Editorial Notes?Send them this link to sign up:
(And if you’re the appreciative friend, you can subscribe at the same link.) Example of the WeekSometimes this is a good example—or a great one. Sometimes this is a bad example—or just a funny blooper. Sometimes a combination. You never know. Sign spotted at a restaurant bar: They forgot: WITHOUT STRAW. NO STRAW FOR YOU. STRAW? NO! If God wanted us to drink from straws... Actionable Tip of the WeekA trick to add to your self-editing toolbox right now! Tips to improve your writing through useful self-editing, whether you're a newbie or a pro. Reader Question of the WeekJenny wrote: How important is social media presence for a writer? Jenny! Hi Jenny, I love this question, which is really about platform. Click here to read my response. Want to Submit a Reader Question to Helene?Give in to the urge.
Link of the WeekWhat did the Hubble telescope see on your birthday? I ❤️ Hearing from You!Comments? Just reply to this email or click this link. I respond to every email—that's a promise. Thanks for reading!~Helene, your writing sherpa |
Editorial Notes
Edit yourself like a pro. I'm a writer, editor, and book coach who has worked with more than 4,000 students, entrepreneurs, and corporate/institutional clients over the last 30+ years. You'll hear from me in your Inbox every other Wednesday at 2pm EST :) Reader Testimonials: "You're one of the cheeriest, funniest, most helpful writer-oriented people I know! Thanks for being out there!" "Love your newsletter, especially your light-handedness! Thanks :-D" "I enjoy your insights and style. Thank you for providing the newsletter!" "I am LOVING your newsletter and am very happy I discovered it 😊" "You're awesome—keep up the good work!" "Can't tell you how much I enjoy reading your newsletter. You uncomplicate things authors are puzzled about." "I so enjoy your writing and sense of humor. You make editing sound like fun!!" "I love everything about Editorial Notes. Keep up the great content!"
Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, The good news is that I met my perfect literary agent. We are completely in sync with our interests and sensibilities, she understands and is excited by my project, and we "get along like gangbusters" on a personal level (as my father would say). The bad news? She can't offer me representation because she is already on submission with another author's manuscript, one which is in competition with mine. (So...
Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, I successfully implemented my own self-editing advice this week on a section that's been problematic for a while. I changed the font! No, that's not a joke. And I am newly reminded of what a great tool this simple change can be. I almost exclusively use 12 point Times New Roman, and I ask my clients to do the same when sending manuscripts my way. Whether my preference insistence is because it's a...
Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, One of my favorite writing and editing avoidance time wasting activities is browsing houses on Zillow. (I used to go to open houses just for fun, but haven't since before Covid. ) I'll just pick a city and see what's for sale in a certain price range. I'm not looking to move — yet — but I enjoy looking at the photos and daydreaming. Honestly, it's instructive about the relative cost of living from location...