Self-editing your book

common writing mistakes [View in browser](=.NJNvDySvfe1hVrwIZjOH-wWFdk3qTbip24FHIwjoIlQ) A long email and a short email... Short - I've been adding videos to my channel going through the steps to launch a bestseller, and made a[long one on self-editing and working with an editor](=.tNZeA4xajokrwywh56YCQN6JJ5xTCjJYkefvtxVonlc)that is particularly important (it also covers common writing mistakes to avoid) so I'm sharing it here, and you can find all the videos on my channel. Long - A dream about my bum. I had a dream I was in some kind of high school summer camp performance, and the punchline was turning around and showing my bare bum, but I refused. I said I could use a fake one, or something else. But I wasn’t going to do that. Like everyone, a few formative experiences taught me to hate being laughed at, and I try to avoid embarrassment of any kind. BUT - the word embarrassment actually means something like "to block" or "obstruct" and might even come from something like "a rope" or "noose" (the etymology is unclear). So consider this: The fear of embarrassment, that pain you feel about potential failure, keeps you from fully expressing yourself, and being free to explore. It keeps you in place, in check. Most ancient mythologies have a version of a god or goddess descending through layers; removing a robe at each level, denuding, baring themselves. A book feels like this. It’s personal. And it's so frustrating to get stuck on banal typos; like being corrected for grammar when you're trying to say something important. They are focusing on the wrong thing! On the one hand, of course it's important to have a clean, error-free book. On the other hand, that's not a selling feature; it doesn't improve the value or the experience. A book is... Fear. Sadness. Pain. Because humans are lonely, sad and afraid. A good story will unwrap the human experience by leaning into those shared emotions. Plus an uncommon adventure or sequence of events that’s partly wish fulfillment (a protagonist with common desires and fears, who earns respect, is beloved and accepted, praised and valuable, with an important or critical mission and a noble cause worth risking everything for.) A book gives readers the experiences they yearn for, at least for awhile. It's not that hard, and yet… there’s a way to organize words and deliver information that extends the story rather than giving it all away (it took 20 years and a PhD to figure some of this stuff out). It’s the difference between a newspaper summary of an event (boring) and an engaging novel, that pulls you in and rewards your time and interest with feelings and a satisfying experience. I covered some of the big ones in this video, but I have a whole series on writing if you want to dive deeper. OR you can rent my brain and get some help (scroll down). =.oahrMmt5ahXeQwYmA8zBfbyKyjLGaIPnB9SnfWAkkQs Need some help telling your story? I'm launching the 21 day author platform next week but it's mostly about book marketing. You'll discover proven strategies to self-publish your book, create a powerful online presence, and drive sales in just three weeks. It's all important, useful stuff but I can't help but stress the importance of writing a good book, and that can be tricky. I put myself through grad school as a developmental editor, and though I don't usually do that anymore, in case you're searching for [a book editor to work with](=.RmtLUo9CYY4xHfh0l1KQlCKF6bdtnPiuqHM-Wli4AXs) or need real, practical feedback on your book's commercial potential (strengths, weaknesses, help finishing or plotting, audience and keywords etc) I wanted to share an offer - this is actually something I put together for black friday last year but never announced because it includes way more than it should for way less than is appropriate.=.9HyLnExBCi7SFbwr8UpHaWClQD6LPg4KGb-XNF-tngE[Full Manuscript Critique - save 60%](=.NJIKH7vAZMFKtl66lO-z0aLiitSEaNYkJJf-vvLrHP4) The catch is, I'm trying out something new and I'm only taking on 3 authors, who want to work with me to finish a book this summer. I also want to make sure I'm offering you things you actually want and need, so if there's anything else you're feeling stuck on or avoiding, something you want to learn or get off your plate, hit reply and let me know about it. I read every email (seriously, it's just me sitting here with a bag of popcorn and a stack of empty coffee mugs). Talk soon, Derek @creativindie PS don't forget to watch the free youtube series; it's a short and concise version of the full course that's coming next week - I give a lot away for free, but my courses come with bonuses and services that will save you time and make things easier to implement. =.DRWM7R2dGLTmTcgJv9bwyeSE7mIQZA1bA61ljEkSjLw PS. some of you already got early access to the 21 day platform course, so if I owe you a first chapter critique or website review those are coming soon! =.Kaz5XTzCSlV4efZOV5uIzfM77hyi0ymOUYrc2a6xoJQ [Share to Facebook](=.zojhTRHjXF9KMHrVCFXDKwXGJF6WmE-lPSHBb4CccaQ) =.wgDq-KCNuhkK5oUq9UZwdvsPUaRrMcKNvZ6S5Gh7XUM [Share to Twitter](=.uFsp8Q7fEC0CsqQ9srfKRSKwpY99NXexKz4UrDdp6zI) =.BIIhytG2MM7vCJ4JJQ2DvVJhRj6EUDYeS32cG9IrG2s [Forward email](=.4G9yeugGOrtJSoR_IzdeRr3J4puwJNMa-xPqOANuuxI) Do not want to see it again? [Unsubscribe](=._CUlfl8ldx_rjtupwyq5osqwkDmRUwovU6cRCIvB4j0) Derek Murphy [Creativindie.com](=.qPOvuwcxuxPrlL5HFbFpxXY36O9GHKYZUzudSIt6npo) | Portland, OR Location Independent - Usually in a castle or cabin.