Author: Connie Berry

Five Things I Need in Order to Write

Writers habits

I wonder what five things Shakespeare would say he needed in order to write—or Jane Austen or Edgar Allen Poe? They’d probably narrow it down to a pen and a brain. Allowing for changing tastes in literature, the craft of writing is much the same as it’s always been, but the mechanics of it have changed so dramatically I suspect the writers of the past, seeing my writing space, would be speechless. I’m speechless, imagining what it would be like to write a whole novel by hand with a quill pen. I’m glad I’m writing in the modern world. With that in mind, here are five things I need in order to write:

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My Top Ten Tips for Self-Editing

Editing, Tips and Tricks

Can an author do his or her own editing? The short answer is no.
Unless you can literally step out of your own head, you will never have the perspective necessary to see your work in its true light. Writers need editor because although we have many of the necessary skills, we don’t have the one irreplaceable skill—distance.
With that said, can an author revise his or her manuscript so that editing is a pleasant rather than traumatic experience? The good news is yes, we can. Here are my Top Ten Tips for preparing your manuscript for professional editing.

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Changing Genres with Laura Jensen Walker

#inspiration, Historical Mysteries

A few years ago, Laura Jensen Walker and I discovered that we both have roots in Racine, Wisconsin’s Danish community. In fact, we were born in the same hospital, St. Luke’s–but not at the same time! Our friendship was sealed when we discovered a common passion for Danish Kringle and the British Isles. What more could one ask for?

Laura and I finally met in person last year at Left Coast Crime, and I had the privilege of reading an ARC of her latest novel, Death of a Flying Nightingale. The novel is a departure for her. Welcome to Miss Demeanors, Laura!

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Five Tips for Short-Story Success: A Guest Post by Judy Penz Sheluk

Short Stories, Tips and Tricks

Join me in welcoming Judy Penz Sheluk to Miss Demeanors! Judy is a former journalist and magazine editor and the bestselling author of two mystery series, several short stories, and two books on publishing. She is also the publisher and editor of four Superior Shores Anthologies. The latest, Larceny & Last Chances, will be available June 18. Today Judy is sharing some wise advice from her long experience with the short-story genre.

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Prologues: Yes or No?

Tips and Tricks

Of all the tools available to fiction writers, the most maligned may be the prologue. With the possible exception of the adverb and the semi-colon, no other literary device engenders such visceral hatred. Prologues have been called “superfluous,” “tedious info-dumps,” and “a bait-and-switch technique.” Agents and editors, we’re told, hate them. But are they always bad?

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