book, writing

Dreams in Fiction

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
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Continuing our discussion about writing dream sequences…

I’ve read countless articles about using dreams in fiction. Here are a few “take-aways.”

  1. Try not to be too fantastical—but not too real, either.
  1. Whether you are using your dream sequence to solve your character’s internal conflict, or foreshadow a future event, be sure it adds to your story and MOVES IT FORWARD.

3)  Use of metaphors or symbolism may help readers realize the scene is a dream.

4)  A change in narrative style may also indicate a dream. (For instance, if you write in the third person, try writing a dream in the first person.)

5)  If you want to be obvious about it, print the entire dream sequence in italics.

6)  To transition into a dream sequence, try using a signal, such as rain falling at the beginning of a dream and ceasing at the end, or falling asleep and waking up, can be helpful.

**Twilight and Stuart Little are among the many books inspired by actual dreams.

Reading and Writing Dreams

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
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When reading fiction novels, the reader often encounters dreams.

Authors like to include them for several different reasons:

  1. They can reveal our characters’ deepest desires, motivations, and fears. 
  2. They are often used to serve a narrative purpose, such as moving the story forward or revealing something about the character we did not know until that point. It could uncover an inner conflict or something the character feels guilty about. It could foreshadow a story’s future events or even change the trajectory of the story.
  3. Dreams are often vivid in color, sound, feel, and even smell. They are often fantastical. Objects may speak, pulsate, and make noises.
  4. Dreams may reflect a character’s subconscious emotions and thoughts. They are a great opportunity for authors to use metaphors. 

5)    Dreams can be magical. They can provide moments of clarity so that they influence the outcome of the story.

Readers: Enjoy dream sequences. They may help you focus and predict where the story is “going”—and why.  

Can Critique Groups Take the Place of an Editor?

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

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That’s a good question.

From my perspective the answer is: yes—and no.

Critique groups are invaluable. They travel along the writing journey with you. They encourage, proofread, help with story, characterization, and so on.

When your book is completed, they give advice on titles, covers, marketing, and more.

Your manuscript should look clean and polished, so that you may be tempted to save time—and money—by circumventing the editing process and going forward with gusto toward publishing.

This may be a mistake because nothing is so helpful at this point as a “fresh pair of eyes.”

This is especially true in the area of “content” and story flow— delving into whether or not the story makes sense, doesn’t have parts that are contradictory, important points omitted.

Your critique group reads small chunks of your writing as you go along, but an editor reads from beginning to end, offering a totally new perspective. A good editor will map out the entire story and look for unintentional mistakes in areas your critique group just cannot see.

I’m convinced I shouldn’t bypass the editing process.

What about you? I love to hear your take on this subject.

Salaries for Book Editors

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
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Are you considering editing/proofreading manuscripts for fellow authors?

Last week’s post focused on certifications/requirements for book editors. This week, we focus on salaries.

My research says the average salary for book editors ranges from $45k to $85k, depending on the amount of time spent, the type of editing one does, and total business garnered. 

The hourly rate in the US is $30.

I don’t know about you, but a large percentage of authors never make that kind of money!

So, if finding and correcting other authors’ mistakes is “enjoyable,” you may want to consider becoming a BOOK EDITOR.

Want the best of both worlds?  Why not consider doing both??

Can You Find the Dog With a Missing Tail?

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
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As a youngster, I loved getting an educational magazine in the mail each month. A gift from my Uncle Bill, I really enjoyed one of the pages in which I needed to find what was missing from a drawing. The dog might have a missing tail, a plant a missing flower, a car missing a tire, and so on. Basically, the reader was being asked to find “mistakes.”

If you enjoy that same sort of thing, perhaps consider becoming an editor. It might end up being an interesting and even lucrative career.

If you have good punctuation skills, love to read stories, and understand grammatical rules, you’re on your way!

You don’t need a license or certification, but, of course, you want to make sure you have the necessary skills or you won’t get good reviews or any “repeat” business.

Even though not required, certifications are one way editors may use to differentiate themselves from their competitors, building the trust of their clients. You may want to take a course by a professional organization that requires you to pass an exam and demonstrate a high level of proficiency. Choose a program offering a comprehensive curriculum in grammar, style, copy and proofreading, and content strategy.

Here are the top Editor Certifications: Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) and Adobe Audition Certifications, Avid Certified Professional (ACP), Apple Certified Pro, and Logic Pro X,  Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Editor Certification, and Grass Valley Edius Editor Certification.

Program costs generally range between $150 and $300.

What are reasonable fees you can charge? I’ll write about that next week.

Have You Heard That Word Before??

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
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An author-friend of mine and I often read each other’s work. Last week she used a word in her story that I hadn’t heard before. 

I normally use context clues to gain meaning of unfamiliar words, but in this case I still wasn’t sure. I had to look it up.

I ‘ve heard more than once that readers either skip over unfamiliar words (thus not gaining the express meaning of a sentence) or if the author uses too many of them, they put the book aside.  Sometimes they do look up the meaning. However, they become irritated if there are too many unfamiliar words in a book and most likely will not select books from that author again.

Readers, please share how you react to unfamiliar words in the books that you read. Authors really do want to hear from you. After all, we really do write for YOU!

A Friendly Reminder for Authors

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
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I am in the midst of completing my taxes. This blog post is just a friendly reminder that authors need to have an LLC (in my opinion) and complete tax forms for your business each year. Be sure if you don’t have one to at least read all the information on the internet about them so you can make a wise decision.

I’m sure you’ll agree that your taxes are a lot easier to do, if you keep records of your expenditures. The easiest way to do this is to have a separate business credit card that you don’t use for anything else. That way, you’ll have a running record of every purchase. Also get a separate checking account in the business name so all of your statements will show your writing/publishing direct deposits and payments to your credit card.

Your yearly credit card fee, as well as checks purchased are deductible in certain cases. Check out for yourself.

Still keep all of your receipts from things purchased with cash (which should be rare).

If you have a dedicated home office, measure it. Your tax person will be able to calculate how much of it will be tax deductible, along with a percentage of your heating, cooling, and electricity.

The point of all this is to get those taxes out of the way so you can devote your time to something more enjoyable—like writing!!!

Disclaimer: I am not a tax consultant, so run everything I’ve said by your own tax person.

Reach for the Stars

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
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Do you remember coming home from school with a tiny foil star for exemplary behavior or academic accomplishment?

The idea of receiving stars for “the remarkable” carries on to present day when they are even earned on the internet by people, products, vacations, songs, photographs, inventions, and so on.

We’re all aware of what they mean. We appreciate—even strive to—“earn” them.

No one is more aware of this concept than authors. Stars from reviewers translate into public awareness of them and their books, which ultimately mean sales.

We put forth our best everyday, keenly aware that our final product will be judged by our readers. Our end goal is a product worthy of those priceless five-star reviews. 

“New” Trends From the Past

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
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Over lunch, a friend asked me if there were any new trends in writing for 2025. 

Honestly? I hadn’t checked. However, when I got home, I searched the internet.

I didn’t find anything new, but I found three trends from years past that are getting stronger—recommended more and more often.

1) Podcasts– customers still like that “personal” touch!

      2) Updating your author bios, personal anecdotes, and your unique brand.

      3) Write blogs based on first-hand knowledge, rather than what you have gained from the internet or someone else (unless from an interview with a famous person!)

           

      Do You Really Need Them All?

      Posted on by Brenda Poulos
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      There are four types of book reviews—and reviewers. It is suggested that authors benefit from garnering reviews from all of them.

      Peer reviews:These are reviews by another author who writes in the same genre. If possible, these would be from a more seasoned and well-known author than yourself. 

      Editorial reviews: These mostly focus on grammar, spelling, plot, structure, formatting, POV, etc. by an editing professional.

      Manuscript reviews: These are overviews to help the author evaluate his/er own writing. They include those similar to the editorial review, but also delve into story consistency, character development, dialogue issues, pacing, and more.

      Customer reviews:  These are from individual readers. Make it easy for consumers to post these by providing links to social media, Amazon, and so on.