A guide to capitalising titles and ranks

A guide to capitalising titles and ranks

Last updated Jul 4, 2023 | Blog

If you’ve ever had a hard time wrapping your head around when you should and shouldn’t capitalise words like ‘sergeant’, ‘doctor’, ‘queen’, and ‘sir’, you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re not alone. Probably about half of the manuscripts I edit contain...
Five ways to fix a sagging middle

Five ways to fix a sagging middle

Last updated Dec 12, 2023 | Blog

No, I promise I’m not moonlighting as a personal trainer. When I talk about a sagging middle, I’m referring to the way some stories lose their momentum as they reach the halfway point. It’s a common problem – affecting perhaps 10 per cent of the manuscripts I edit –...
When (and how) to use documents in historical fiction

When (and how) to use documents in historical fiction

Last updated Jul 4, 2023 | Blog

In historical fiction, it’s common for writers to include documents, such as letters, diary entries, and newspaper reports, in their stories. These can be real documents from the period they’re writing about, or they can be fictional documents they’ve created...
How to write flashbacks

How to write flashbacks

Last updated May 22, 2023 | Blog

Flashbacks are an important part of storytelling, enabling writers to connect the events and actions of the present to things that have happened in the past. They’re a particularly useful tool for demonstrating character motivations and introducing plot twists. If...
Five common comma mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Five common comma mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Last updated May 22, 2023 | Blog

Most manuscripts I edit contain some grammatical errors, and most of these relate to commas. Good comma usage can improve the flow of your story, add dramatic tension, and give the reader confidence in your writing abilities. Bad comma usage can make your writing seem...