There are SO many common mistakes you can catch in your writing before handing your story over to an editor. And learning how to self-edit effectively will dramatically sharpen your craft. Here are 5 things to look for on your next pass through your WIP. 👇

I couldn’t happier to have made tacos a plot point in my second book. It amuses me more than anything else I’ve written. Tacos literally help stop a war. #TacoTuesday

One of the best pieces of writing advice is simple: Read. Read books in your genre. Read books outside your genre. Read new releases and classics. Read debut authors and seasoned bestsellers. And then, read some more. The more you read, the more craft and storytelling wisdom you'll absorb.

@marthawells.com Platform Decay 👍🏻👍🏻

Slightly diminish a book An Operation and Peace

Andrew Heenan 💚@bsky.heenan.net · 3mo ago

Slightly diminish a book Reasonable Expectations

Alternatively the title could be ‘Careful What You Wish For’

Charlotte Clymer@charlotteclymer.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Holy shit, I have NEVER been more excited for a movie.

Hello during a random dessert to THE Paget Brewster!

So let me understand this. A certain group is very concerned about all unborn life and wants to enact every law possible against ending it. But they will also take money from everyone, including the poor of which many are children & spend that money on bombs that kill children. Make it make sense.

I fear that the only way that thing will be stopped is to have it’s brains go for a short adventure outside it’s body.

Just learned of Dan Simmons’ death. Some of his works had a profound effect on me as a reader & writer. I’ll always love Hyperion & consider it one of the best books I’ve read. His politics on the other hand make me wonder how damaged a person he was to hold those views.

The latest episode of Starfleet Academy was one of the most beautiful of any Star Trek I’ve seen. If you don’t feel something watching it you may just be dead inside. To have an episode this good in the first season is a rare thing. Bravo to the cast, writers and crew of this show.

Getting set for my State of the Union Drinking Game. RULES: Take a drink when he tells the truth. (Not much fun, but the reality of his vision is sobering...)

@scalzi.com I’m sure you’ve been asked this before, but do you use names of friends, family, influences for your characters? I’m currently about halfway through Old Man’s War and some names are sounding familiar. I know I do that with my own writing so curious if that’s what you do too.

"But it's okay, Sarah. The Dow is at 50,000..."

I don't often plug stuff here, but... 1) I do have to eat 2) I'm really proud of a set of stories and characters I started with *brand new* at the beginning of the year. This is the first story: ko-fi.com/s/ef5a7b7880

The Mad King - Michael A Stackpole's Ko-fi Shop

The Mad King is a sword & sorcery fantasy novella featuring Neryon, a warlock whose life is governed by the whims of fate. In this first story he enco...

ko-fi.com

Just finished reading my first novel by Ursula K LeGuin and it was amazing. The Lathe of Heaven is trippy and didn’t go where I’d even imagined. I’m actually a bit disappointed that no one has ever recommended this or any of her other books to me. I won’t be keeping this author to myself.

I have a number of questions about Captain Ake and I suppose Holly Hunter as well. Is the bare feet a character thing or a Holly thing? Is it a foot fetish thing from the writers room? Will we see her in those toe shoes at some point? What are those things she wears on the tops of her feet?

Is it dead yet?

If I ever start to shit post about anything and everything in media that I consume I hope somebody checks me on it. Just because I don’t like something doesn’t mean it sucks and just because I love something doesn’t mean it’s the best thing ever. No need to put down something that others love.

What’s happening in Minneapolis right now looks like it could be the prequel the ‘The Handmaids Tale’. These monsters watched that show as a playbook, not the warning that it is.

Loving Holly Hunter as the lead of the new ST: Starfleet Academy, she’s quirky and funny, very much her own person that feels like she’s lived the centuries that’s been established. Also love that she sits how she wants in her command chair goes around barefoot at times.

@megardener.bsky.social easiest follow back I’ve ever done. Avid scifi reader, Andor quote and a meme of a book quote I’ve got on my list to read.

Of the 26 books I read last year there wasn’t one I didn’t enjoy. My top favorites though, in order are: Project Hail Mary Flowers for Algernon Klara and the Sun Downward to the Earth The Murderbot Diaries (this is a cheat, loved the entire series) Make It So (audiobook read by Patrick Stewart)

Really should’ve sharpened that axe before going into battle. #StrangerThings

It’s not because it’s fruit cake that I won’t be eating this free holiday treat left in the lobby, it’s because #Pluribus has forever changed my relationship with “free” food.

Can’t hype up Pluribus enough, each new episode is a masterwork. Truly some amazing talent on display here. Rhea Seehorn is incredible and her equally defiant southern neighbor is the most wonderfully stubborn character I’ve ever seen. Can’t wait to see what’s next.

@devindra.bsky.social getting close to the end of The Good Fight season 6 and it’s batshit crazy and seemingly prophetic and scary as shit. And I mean batshit crazy in the best way possible. Thanks again for the repeated recommendations to watch it on The Filmcast.

Who could ever have imagined when I played a fictional rebel who joined the Resistance to oppose a criminal Authoritarian & wannabe King, it would be happening in real-life? #TwentyfiveFortyseven

change a movie by adding a word Orange Pulp Fiction…

Michael A. Stackpole 🇺🇦@michaelastackpole.bsky.social · 10mo ago

change a movie by adding a word Break Dances with Wolves...