#StetChat | Thanks everyone! A wonderful time, as always! ♥

#StetChat@stetchat.com · 41m ago

Today’s #StetChat has officially come to a close, but feel free to keep chatting! And if you couldn’t join the chat live, feel free to jump in and participate asynchronously—that’s the beauty of a Bluesky chat. :) Thanks so much to everybody who participated!

#StetChat | Yes! This is one of the fastest ways to irritate me as a reader.

Sienna Miller as The Baroness: I Heard You

ALT: Sienna Miller as The Baroness: I Heard You

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Jesse – Rainbow Pen Editing@rainbowpenediting.bsky.social · 37m ago

#StetChat A5 Trusting the reader is important (so long as enough information is provided so they can infer the rest). Not only does this avoid infodumping, it also avoids a big pitfall: making the reader feel like they're taken by the hand as if they're not capable enough. 1/2

#StetChat | Indeed! This is just another reason that I encourage my colleagues to become authors and experience the process themselves first hand. There are so many things that people (including the client) don't consider for no other reason than they've never had to before.

BulletProof Writing Services@bulletproofwriting.bsky.social · 40m ago

Thinking about how the text will work as an audiobook is critical, and I wish more authors (and editors) considered that earlier in the revisions process. #StetChat

Thinking about how the text will work as an audiobook is critical, and I wish more authors (and editors) considered that earlier in the revisions process. #StetChat

#StetChat | I usually support whatever is going to make the story more immersive, but still clear and easy to read. A recent evaluation included two twin characters with identical-sounding names and slightly different spellings. For example, Sendy and Cindi. I warned against this.

#StetChat@stetchat.com · 53m ago

Q7: How do you approach stylistic and grammatical worldbuilding decisions like capitalization, italics, spelling, etc.? #StetChat

In her post “Immersive Worldbuilding Through Copyediting,” Kristy S. Gilbert (Looseleaf Editorial) says: “Copyediting choices like capitalization, italics, and more can support your epic worldbuilding or undermine it and keep your reader at arm’s length.” looseleafep.com/immersive-wo... #StetChat

Immersive Worldbuilding through Copyediting | Looseleaf Editorial

Worldbuilding builds on everyday details. Copyediting choices like capitalization, italics, & more can support your worldbuilding or undermine it.

looseleafep.com

#StetChat | Tracking tables. My manuscript evaluations always include tables. One of my most recent additions to this service (especially for my sci-fi and fantasy folks) is name tracking. For whatever reason, I run into people who favor an initial letter.

#StetChat@stetchat.com · 58m ago

Q6: Consistency is a key part of worldbuilding. How do you track consistency in the manuscript you’re editing, like character details, timelines, units of measurement (time, currencies, distance), magical systems, and advanced technologies? #StetChat

#StetChat A3 Inconsistencies can make their way into maps just as much as they can be present in the text. A good map is easily readable and understandable. Maps can also be fantastic marketing tools, so making them pretty (but still readable!) is important too.

#StetChat@stetchat.com · 1h ago

Q3: If you’ve worked with maps in a project you’ve edited, what issues have you run into with them? What makes a map good? #StetChat

#StetChat | I've come across quite a few writers who are heavy handed when it comes to repetition, almost as if they think the reader forgot what they wrote three pages ago. I get that reminders about the world can be helpful, but I encourage varying how those reminders are delivered.

#StetChat@stetchat.com · 1h ago

Q5: When working with your clients, how do you suggest balancing complex information/explanations with trusting the reader? How does this show up in the type of material you work on? #StetChat

#StetChat | Right! I had something similar during a manuscript eval recently. One character asked another what they remember of what happened from the previous 30 minutes...but they had been asleep for an hour! :D

Robin LeeAnn 🐉🖊️📚 SFF Editor@dragonediting.bsky.social · 1h ago

The biggest issues I've seen is when the amount of time it takes to get to a place changes. For example, it'd take the character half a day to walk up the mountain but only about thirty minutes to walk down. #StetChat

#StetChat A4 Always get an authenticity reader/editor to work with if you are writing about cultures you are not a part of. Infodumping is also really common. Worldbuilding is done over chapters, not all in one. Outlining scenes and what's important to introduce per scene can help.

#StetChat@stetchat.com · 1h ago

Q4: What are some common mistakes that authors make with worldbuilding? For example: problematic elements, cultural appropriation, clichés, anachronisms, infodumping. #StetChat

A4c: You’re not going to be able to use every piece of research for this project, but it isn’t wasted time. It may spur a new project or be that piece of lore you need down the road. 3/3 #StetChat

I'm no fantasy editor, but I've had to flag a few charts and illustrations in manuscripts that were low-quality, hand-drawn items. If I can't read or understand a graphic when it's blown up to 150% on my screen, it's not going to work for readers. Clarity matters for more than just text. #StetChat

#StetChat | I mostly run into situations where they forget the rules they made. LOL! If every being can fly, they'll have somebody stuck at the bottom of an open grave or some such!

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#StetChat@stetchat.com · 1h ago

Q4: What are some common mistakes that authors make with worldbuilding? For example: problematic elements, cultural appropriation, clichés, anachronisms, infodumping. #StetChat

#StetChat | Literally, just basic legibility can be a problem! :D I can't tell you how many maps I've come across in books that are swallowed by the gutter or have text that you can't read because it's on top of some area that's colored in the same hue / shade of gray as the copy.

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#StetChat@stetchat.com · 1h ago

Q3: If you’ve worked with maps in a project you’ve edited, what issues have you run into with them? What makes a map good? #StetChat

#StetChat | I outline my novels and series the same way for the same reason! :D

Barbie Halaby@monocleediting.bsky.social · 1h ago

A2: Good point. I could not make my way through my D&D campaign without charts. As much as I love a long block of text, charts are fantastic for cutting through the noise to focus on the essential bits. #StetChat

#StetChat | I have the most fun with slang. The colloquial shorthand we use to signify that we appreciate, loathe, or don't understand something can add a unique flavor to the atmosphere of the story.

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#StetChat@stetchat.com · 2h ago

Q2: What are some in-book elements, sections, or signifiers that you encourage authors to use to help readers understand the world? Think: maps, glossaries, character lists, charts/diagrams. #StetChat

#StetChat | #Cyberpunk2077! And it's hard to pick one thing! From gang lore to environmental issues (for example, seeing any animal outside of roaches was RARE▬no pigeons, no squirrels, etc.), there are so many little details CDPR thought of that expertly matched with the story of the game.

#StetChat@stetchat.com · 2h ago

Q1: What’s an example of immersive worldbuilding in a book, movie, TV show, or game that enthralled you? #StetChat

Us waiting for authors to need our editing, illustration, formatting, cover design, or publishing services. Getting to be part of your authorship journey is beyond exciting! ♥ #Booksky #Fiction #Nonfiction #Poetry #Kidlit #CoverArt

Spongebob Squarepants Waiting Happily

ALT: Spongebob Squarepants Waiting Happily

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I keep saying this, but I can't believe where I am finally at in my first draft. I never thought I'd get here in my story. I'm almost to the freaking climax. I can't believe it! #writing #writersky #authorsky #booksky

😆

Austin Evans Says None Of The Above

ALT: Austin Evans Says None Of The Above

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evan michael anderson@emanderson.bsky.social · 23h ago

Have I learned yet to not edit and critique myself as I go while writing the first draft of my first novel? No. But did I at least choose to make my life easier by writing a single timeline story? Also no.

Okay, I got started on a moderation list for all the beta reader bots. Mutuals, feel free to share and let me know when you see something!

#StetSprint | All done! Literally sent my last email reply right at 3:00 p.m.! LOL!

Steve Kornacki: Election Results Are Very Close

ALT: Steve Kornacki: Election Results Are Very Close

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Raquel ⟡ Fiction Editor@raqueledits.bsky.social · yesterday

⏰ That's a wrap!! How'd everyone do? Thanks so much for stopping by for today's #StetSprint and hope to see you at the Friday sprint (hosted by @editrix-rachel.bsky.social)! 👋

#StetSprint | Forgive me. Our car got hit a couple of weeks ago. I was on the phone with the at-fault driver's insurance company! 🫠 This (half-)session I aim to: 1. Wrap up and post my latest @medium.com article. 2. Clear my inbox of emails. 30 minutes should be enough for that (I hope!).

#StetChat@stetchat.com · yesterday

It’s #StetSprint time! What are you working on during today’s sprint, #edibuddies? How to #StetSprint 1️⃣ Share your goal with us (ex. “Copyedit 6 pages of MS”). 2️⃣ Focus on work for 1 hour: No phones, no social media, just working. 3️⃣ In 1 hour, check back in here and tell us how you did!

Writers, you can save a lot of cash, time, and energy when you focus on deliverables more than labels. Anybody can call anything they do “developmental editing” or “proofreading” or a “manuscript evaluation.”

That always seems to happen, even when you're mostly copy editing, a few story-level issues still find their way through. 😄 Do you have an editor helping you with those developmental kinks, or are you planning to bring one in?

I turn 33 this month so it would be REALLY COOL to get 33 sales of Woman of Sorrow and Blood this month 👀 Help me get there? It's a good way to celebrate #IndieAugust too!

Dianna Gunn Does (Fictional) Murders 🇨🇦@diannalgunn.bsky.social · 2w ago

Do you like horror? Do you like GOTHIC horror? Do you like SAPPHIC gothic horror? Then you'll love Woman of Sorrow and Blood, available on Itch: diannagunn.itch.io/wosab And elsewhere: books2read.com/u/m0p0kW #HorrorSky #BookSky

I released a duo of shorts in celebration of Sweet & Wild's one year anniversary! They're both from Terran's perspective! You get to see just how obsessed Terran is with Micah! 💛 They're available here: 🍃 Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/s/fb282f3099 🦌 Itch: applesncinnamon.itch.io/wild-sweet