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!"
Triplet Peaks, an Expansive Lexicon, and Exotic Structures!
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Hiya Reader, Before my home is tented for termites, I get to move everything I own into storage. Everything means everything: the art on the wall, the mugs in the cabinet, the books (the books!!!!!!!) on the shelves (and the shelves, natch). Then, I get to move everything I own out of storage and back into my home. 🥳 Anyone wanna recreate the 300-strong human chain formed in Chelsea, Michigan, to assist Serendipity Books' owner Michelle Tuplin in relocation, one book at a time? Anyone? Bueller? 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. Two wonderful items direct from Merriam-Webster.
peek = sight related
peak = mountain or highpoint
pique= to excite or arouse
Each letter C is uniquely pronounced. This matters because we also write with our ears — how does our language sound? Paci = /s/
fic = /k/
Oc = /ʃ/
English is fun! Actionable Tip of the WeekA trick to add to your self-editing toolbox right now! To communicate well, we need much more than simple words. Continue reading the article Reader Question of the WeekKeri wrote: I want a more fragmentary, associational style than a simple chronological one. Memory is not sequential—memory goes from one thing to another and connects them in new ways. I want my work to be the same, alternating between what happened to me and what went on a very long time ago in an unforced manner. How do I know how much information to provide and at what point in the narrative? Keri! I love unusual structures, but you're right that they require attentive construction in service to the reader. Continue reading the article Want to Submit a Reader Question to Helene?Give in to the urge.
Link of the WeekAlthough I use it, I'm not a social media fan in general — but for this week's Tik-Tok inspired Wikitok, I'll maybe make an exception since it's similar to this week's Actionable Tip. You'll get tidbits from random Wikipedia articles and the option to just scroll past or click through if your interest is piqued. ⬅️ see what I did there 👀 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, I have a confession. I grind my teeth. I don't just grind them — I mash and crush with gusto! I've worn an industrial strength bespoke night guard since 2003 so my TMJ does not result in, over time, my being only able to gum my food. Recently, however, I reached a new high low. After somehow spraining my jaw one night (how??) it turns out my unconscious jaw movements require an even more specialized...
Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, Lately I've been thinking about poet Mary Ruefle's essay "On Beginnings," specifically the idea that if every word we ever speak were to be written down — from our first babblings to our last utterance — we would have a lifelong sentence. (Ralph Angel reportedly responded with "that's a lot of semi-colons"!) I'm a thinker way more than I am a talker, but I'd sure like to read my own lifelong sentence. What...
Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, Like many of you, I have so many passwords to keep track of, almost all of which are force-changed regularly. This is a good thing for the safety and security of my accounts, I suppose. But is it a good thing for my brain? Better for my brain is the Password Game, forwarded to me by Michael. It's a gem: true to life, difficult, and funny to boot. Please, if you play and win, email me your password (wink...