Vicky and Joe go all-out for Halloween this year, with an episode that has absolutely nothing to do with spookiness at all. Although you do get to hear the word xenotransplant, which sounds pretty Frankensteiny. Speaking of cutting things up and improving them, that's what this episode is all about: how to copy edit your own manuscript. This week's nattering is packed with tips to help you take your draft from good to splendid. Happy editing!
Key Takeaways:
[6:00] Vicky and Joe have new windows!
[8:05] What is the difference between copyediting and proofreading?
[12:00] Search for words you tend to use a lot and see if you can rewrite it in a different way.
[12:30] Get rid of your exclamation marks!!!!!!!
[13:30] Make an effort to use simpler words.
[17:30] Get rid of needless words.
[21:15] Ditch words like ‘very’, and other boring words.
[23:30] Leverage your metrics more effectively by being specific.
[27:20] Tip you might want to try: Read your book backwards. Vicky doesn’t have the patience to do this, though.
[30:35] Vicky and Joe read your reviews!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast
Don't Touch My Hair, by Emma Dabiri
The Bus Driver Who Wanted To Be God & Other Stories, by Etgar Keret
Read Books All Day and Get Paid For It, by Jennie Nash
Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me, by Kate Clanchy
Vicky, Joe, and Vicky's giant jumper are back to talk about wonderful books, waterproof houses, and how the hell you edit your book. Yep: the last thing you want to do immediately after writing 50,000+ words is read the damn thing... so how do you start editing? Vicky has the answers and you'll like her approach. It involves not reading your book word-by-word (yet). Tune in - and get in touch if you have any questions!
Key Takeaways:
[4:50] The dingle finally has walls!
[8:10] There are four stages to editing.
[9:25] Before you read everything line by line you want to take a big picture perspective and see if the whole book works first.
[11:35] Take a look at the chapter order. Does it work? Is the purpose of the book being fulfilled by the end of it?
[13:55] Print out your first draft. It’s important to feel it and see it physically.
[18:20] Once you’ve done the big picture overview, the next step is to include beta readers!
[20:00] Make sure you communicate with your beta readers on what you’re looking for.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast
Listen to Episode 172 & 173 about beta readers
The Bus Driver Who Wanted To Be God & Other Stories, by Etgar Keret
The Last Continent, by Terry Pratchett
Don't Touch My Hair, by Emma Dabiri
Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me, by Kate Clanchy
Read Books All Day and Get Paid For It, by Jennie Nash
Join Vicky and Joe as they talk books, writing, and the patriarchy - and Vicky bemoans the fact that lipstick doesn't in fact have magical powers. After that, you'll get the lowdown on why "just be your authentic self" is total crap advice, and we're sorry for the number of times we say "authentic" in this episode. But to make up for it, what you get is a little masterclass in how to become a better writer and genuinely find your unique voice. Cool, huh?
Key Takeaways:
[6:15] Unfortunately, women are valued for their beauty and their child rearing abilities.
[7:25] Joe has had an exciting work trip to Poland!
[10:15] Why should you be your authentic self?
[15:45] How can you figure out how to be your ‘authentic’ self?
[16:50] Start by reading really great stuff.
[18:55] Take notes when you see something you like!
[19:20] Create a list of writers you currently admire and try to rewrite (in your own words) some of their work.
[20:30] Good writing is often very subjective.
[21:55] Are you writing / sounding like someone else? The good news is you can fix that!
[22:10] Thank you for leaving a review of the podcast!!!!!!!!!
Mentioned in This Episode:
Subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast
The Bus Driver Who Wanted To Be God & Other Stories, by Etgar Keret
The Last Continent, by Terry Pratchett
Don't Touch My Hair, by Emma Dabiri
Nerdfest! Women in science! Writers! This week, Vicky is joined by biochemist Lisa Mullan, who turns DNA into little characters and writes stories to help children learn. Science and storytelling - two of our favourite things. Tune in to find out how Lisa uses storytelling to educate... and why it's crucial no matter what industry you're in.
Key Takeaways:
[1:15] A little bit about Lisa and what she does for...science!
[3:05] How did Lisa go from PhD to teaching children?
[9:25] Where is the future of science headed?
[10:15] What are Dinky Amigos?
[15:10] Lisa tries to think like a child when she writes her books and repeats complex concepts in different ways to help them understand.
[17:15] Why is storytelling so important in education?
[23:40] Why are school textbooks so dry? Adults learn through storytelling as well.
[28:10] Lisa discusses why she decided to write a new book about COVID.
[29:40] Education in a traditional institution is suffering.
[32:30] YouTube is an amazing resource for learning. There is even a song that teaches you the 100 digits of pi!
[38:05] Lisa’s tip for storytelling: Make it age appropriate and weave the education and information in.
Mentioned in This Episode: