Tag: revising

How to Revise like a Mentor: Part Two!

catherinebakewell

Hi everyone!

Last week, we got some advice from four mentors about revising and writing. This week, we’ll be hearing from four more… okay, five. I was a mentor through Author Mentor Match, so I’ll be sharing my thoughts, too!

Thanks to my friend, Katie Wilson, for coming up with these ideas and these questions. Your perspective is so valuable. And oh, check out Katie’s AuthorTube channel over here!

Now, on with the interview! This week, we’ll be hearing words of wisdom from four more authors who’ve been mentors and mentees through programs like Pitch Wars and Author Mentor Match: Lorelei Savaryn, Carolyn Tara O’Neil, Meryl Wilsner, and Kimberly Wisnewski.

Continue reading “How to Revise like a Mentor: Part Two!” →

How to Revise Like a Mentor: Part One

catherinebakewell

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

As some of you may know, I was recently a mentor in Author Mentor Match, a program where agented authors can pass along their knowledge to other writers. My friend, Katie Wilson, came up with a great idea: she wanted me and some of my mentor friends to share our wisdom when it comes to revising like a mentor.

I reached out to a few of my mentor friends, and the response was overwhelming. They were so helpful and so giving of their time–so much so that I’m splitting this into a two-part series! 4 mentors will be sharing their thoughts this week, and 5 mentors (including myself) will answer these questions next week.

Again, a huge shout-out to Katie for coming up with these ideas and these questions. Your perspective is so valuable. And oh, check out Katie’s AuthorTube channel over here!

Now, on with the interview! This week, we’ll be hearing words of wisdom from authors who’ve been mentors and mentees through programs like Pitch Wars and Author Mentor Match: Mary Averling, J.Elle, Brittany Kelley, and Jessica Lewis.

Continue reading “How to Revise Like a Mentor: Part One” →

Dealing with Writing Anxiety

catherinebakewell

Hi everyone!

In case you haven’t noticed, being anxious seems to be a “bonus” of being a writer.

We are very good at worrying. I think this is because in the world of writing and publishing, we writers have very little control.

What we can control are our thoughts. And so we spend a lot of time playing in these what if worlds inside our heads. Worrying and imagining all the ways things can go wrong. Because at least we can control them inside our head. It’s something to do. 

The unique anxiety that comes with being a writer isn’t something that goes away when you’ve gotten an agent or a book deal or a movie deal or ANY of those milestones we hope for. It’s not a switch that gets turned off once we accomplish X, Y, or Z.

Below, I’m sharing EIGHT tips for how I’ve dealt with my writing anxiety, in the hopes that they can be helpful for you, too!

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The Prologue Post

catherinebakewell

It seems that in the writing community, there’s a lot of talk about prologues — whether they’re allowed, whether they work, if you should include it in a work you’re querying, et cetera. A lot of people are against prologues on the whole, and an equally large group are staunch defenders of the prologue.

I’m here to explain some points of view of the Prologue Discourse and to (hopefully) give you some advice and perspective about when to keep and when to cut your prologue!

Disclaimer: my advice here 1. is yours to take or leave as you like! 2. is not “one size fits all”! and 3. applies most especially to YA novelists hoping to be traditionally published. 

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Agent Interview: Megan Manzano

catherinebakewell

Hi, everyone! Today I’m sharing an interview with Megan Manzano, an agent representing Kidlit over at D4EO Literary Agency.

Hi, Megan! Thanks so much for your time.

When you see a pitch on Twitter, what grabs you to the point of requesting more? 

Megan Manzano: Stakes are so important for a Twitter pitch especially when you have a limited number of words to pitch your book. I want to see the hook, aka what your character has to lose and/or fight for, that makes me unable to get it out of my head. 

Continue reading “Agent Interview: Megan Manzano” →

AMM Feedback Roundup

catherinebakewell

Hi everyone!

This post is coming to you on Friday so that I could have a bit of time to round up some of the common mistakes I saw in my Author Mentor Match submissions inbox. These are just my observations, and they may not apply to your book/query/synopsis. Or maybe it does! Nothing to fear–just some notes that may help you edit.

When I read through submissions, I read every query and then decided if I was a good fit or not for the project. After that, I’d read the synopsis. If the plot sounded solid, I would read some pages. If the pages held up, I requested a full. My time was very limited, so I was very picky.

AND I did find a mentee!!! A wonderful one!! Definitely go say hi to Abigail Welborn over on Twitter. Her dancing magic book is marvelous and yummy and deals with such interesting themes. I can’t wait to dig deeper into the book!

And now, without further ado, my AMM Feedback Roundup…

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What 2019 Taught Me About Being a Writer

catherinebakewell

Hi everyone!

2019 is almost drawing to a close, and SO much has happened for me this year. As this blog is largely a place for me to reflect and give advice on writing, this year-in-review will also be focused on that.

I was in the query trenches for a good portion of 2019 and I wrote and revised several books this year. Follow me below as I reflect on some of the things I learned this year…

Continue reading “What 2019 Taught Me About Being a Writer” →

My Revision Process

catherinebakewell

 Hi everyone!

This week, I’m talking about the process behind how I revise. A disclaimer, of course: everyone’s revision process is different, and I don’t believe there’s any one right or wrong way to revise. Do what’s best for your creative method! And maybe as you read about mine, you’ll get an idea or feel excited for when it’s time for you decide to dive into revisions.

Without further ado, here is my revision process…

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