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Be Your Own Editor offers a crash
course in grammar basics, starting with punctuation, proper use of the
dreaded apostrophe and how to identify common words that are frequently
misused. It moves on to ways of devising stronger characters and background
settings in fiction, as well as structuring non-fiction.
Nowadays,
we're all writers — we write blogs, essays, business proposals and
articles. Professional authors write short stories and manuscripts. We
need to know when to use affect or effect, loath or loathe, compliment or
complement; for writers struggling with character development, establishing
realistic dialogue and structuring non-fiction articles, proposals or
manuscripts, this short, reader-friendly manual is essential.
Reviews
"Sigrid
Macdonald has done aspiring and published writers alike a big favor by
publishing Be Your Own Editor. It’s a highly
readable guide to turning a mass of words into a publishable essay, short
story, magazine article or book. She provides handy advice on fixing
aggravating spelling and grammar mistakes that mar the best arguments and
liveliest prose. Anyone struggling to finish an assignment, article or
chapter will find useful tips for overcoming everything from the dreaded
writer’s block to insipid language…In between is excellent advice on
punctuation, consistency and how to get the most from the ubiquitous
spell-checker. And a few chuckles about the foibles of writers and editors
along the way."
Alex Binkley, journalist and 35-year member
of the Parliamentary Press Gallery in Ottawa
"I spent two years writing my first book and did not notice a spelling error
in the first paragraph of my query letter, until it was mailed out to over
forty agents and publishers. Be Your Own Editor is a valuable resource tool
for college students and newcomers to the publishing world. Sigrid Macdonald
covers common mistakes and provides creative tips to bring your manuscript
to its highest level."
Deborah Merlin, author of Victory over ADHD
"We all understand that writing is a craft but it need not be a mysterious
or tedious one. Sigrid Macdonald, a Canadian author and editor, has just
written a guide to editing that is both informative and conversational. Even
irksome subjects such as punctuation and sentence structure are handled in a
light-hearted way. This book is perfect for beginners and serves as a
refreshing reminder to long-time writers."
Bruce Atchison - Canadian author of Deliverance
from Jericho (Six Years in a Blind School)
About the
Author
Sigrid
Macdonald is a book editor, a freelance writer and the author of three
books. A Canadian who was raised in New Jersey, Macdonald has lived in
Ottawa, Ontario, for the last twenty years. Her articles have appeared in
Canada's largest newspaper, The Globe and Mail, The Women's Freedom
Network Newsletter in Washington, DC, the American magazine Justice
Denied, Toastmasters International, and The Anxiety Disorders
Association of Ontario Newsletter. She frequently writes movie reviews for
the women's magazine, She Unlimited.
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