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, It's a pretty divisive topic in my family, but I absolutely love Good & Plenty. I like black licorice of all kinds, but the chummy pink and white ovals of yumminess are my favorites. I like them when they are hard to chew. I like them when they are super soft. I really like them, Sam I Am! Recently, I saw the movie theater boxes on the store shelf and wondered, why do I never buy these any more? So I bought...
Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, A question for you. What do you make of a school teaching students that it's okay to use AI if they #1 disclose that they've done so, and #2 cite it as a source with both in-text citations and an entry on the reference list? Hit reply to give your opinion on this! Extra credit for explaining why you hold the opinion you do. Think a friend would appreciate Editorial Notes? Send them this link to sign up:...
Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations Hiya Reader, After much paperwork and many months of waiting, my proprietary Butterfly Blueprint® framework now officially carries the federally-registered trademark symbol! Clients who choose to work with me already choose me for a number of important reasons including the trust such a mark conveys, so in that sense, nothing has changed. But crossing this hurdle is nevertheless a big milestone for me and I'm excited,...