Lots of writers find themselves stuck sometimes, and there are all sorts of tips and tricks out there, some of which are helpful. In this post I'll give you five tips that I've found helpful when writing.

Writing, Tips and TricksElise HitchingsFebruary 17, 2022writers, writing, tipsComment

How to Use Track Changes Like a Pro

In the publishing industry, Microsoft Word is the program most professionals use. It's possible to use others of course, but most other programs lack an effective way to edit. Word's track changes feature allows an editor to show you exactly what they've done—every comma included. Track changes is a great feature, but it has a learning curve. In this post I'll teach you the basics of track changes so you can get the most out of it.

Software and Programs, Tips and TricksElise HitchingsNovember 25, 2021writing, revising, word, editingComment

4 Mistakes New Writers Make

I mainly work with new authors, and I've seen some mistakes that are easy to make. But not a lot of author realize they are making them, so I've put together a list of 4 mistakes I see and why you should avoid them.

Advice for Writers, Tips and TricksElise HitchingsNovember 11, 2021writing, writers, tipsComment

What is Showing and Not Telling?

Something a lot of authors struggle with is telling instead of showing. But what does that really mean? Isn't the whole point of writing to tell a story? In this post I'll cover what showing not telling means, how to spot it, and what you can do to fix it.

Advice for Writers, Tips and TricksElise HitchingsOctober 28, 2021writing, how to, tips, authorComment

How to Format Your Manuscript

As a new author, it can be difficult to figure out what to do for the basics that everyone more experienced takes for granted. When you are submitting your manuscript to agents or publishers, you want to make sure your manuscript looks as professional as possible. You can use this guide to send a manuscript to an editor or designer, but the title page isn't necessary.

Publishing Process, Tips and TricksElise HitchingsSeptember 16, 2021how to, tips, publishingComment

5 Money Saving Tips for Self-Publishing Without Sacrificing Quality

Self-publishing has given authors more opportunities to take control of their work, but it also comes with an increased cost for the author. A self-published author has to pay for everything from editing to marketing, which can get expensive. This week I have 5 tips to help you save money without sacrificing quality.

Publishing Process, Advice for Writers, Tips and TricksElise HitchingsSeptember 2, 2021budget, save money, author, publishingComment

6 Helpful Programs for Authors in 2021

Here is a list of 6 programs that can be helpful for authors. They range from help with writing to layouts for ebooks and print books to storing files. I lay out the pros, cons, price, and basic elements for each program. There are plenty of other programs available that are not covered here, which doesn't mean they aren't valuable. I also don’t get any sort of commission or benefit for recommending these programs.

Tips and Tricks, Advice for Writers, Software and ProgramsElise HitchingsAugust 5, 2021tips, publishing, editing, software, programsComment

4 Tips for Hiring an Editor

Hiring a professional editor can be intimidating for new authors or authors who haven't had to find an editor on their own before. It can be hard to know where to start, or even what you are looking for. This week, I've got 5 tips for hiring an editor.

Publishing Process, Tips and TricksElise HitchingsJuly 22, 2021publishing, tips, editingComment

5 Quick Tips for Writing Better Dialogue

Dialogue is a core piece of many stories and is an opportunity for the reader to get to know characters and their relationships. Here are 5 quick tips for writing better dialogue.

Advice for Writers, Tips and TricksElise HitchingsJuly 8, 2021writing, dialogue, tipsComment

The Differences Between Dashes

Dashes can be tricky, especially for writers not specifically taught the differences. Here I'll explain how hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes differ and how they can be used correctly.

Tips and Tricks, GrammarElise HitchingsJune 24, 2021grammar, punctuation, writingComment

5 Tips For Query Letters and Pitches

You often have seconds for your book to stand out, so a carefully crafted pitch is essential. Here I'll share 5 tips to help you create a perfect pitch.