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Top 5 Proofing Mistakes Writers Make

Proofreading is an essential practice when it comes to writing. It’s that final check to make sure spelling and grammar are correct because misspelled and misused words can destroy the quality of your work. Even the best writers need to edit and proofread. Often, when we proofread our own work, the mind does not catch the little mistakes because it was that same mind that wrote them in the first place. This is why it is important to find a second party to read your writing. However, not all of us have proofreaders on hand, which is why we must… Read More »Top 5 Proofing Mistakes Writers Make

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INFOGRAPHIC: Most Annoying Writing Mistakes

Script editors and script readers should not be confused with proof readers or copy editors. It’s a common error writers make, but we give STORY NOTES, whereas proof readers will check and correct your grammar, punctuation and spelling; a copy editor will also check for accuracy and ‘flow’ of the read. However, I’d be lying if I said I DIDN’T give the odd note on grammar and word usage whilst giving said story notes. I’ve written time and time again on this blog about the pet peeves readers have when giving notes to writers. There are also words that get… Read More »INFOGRAPHIC: Most Annoying Writing Mistakes

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Top 5 Screenplay Format Mistakes

How’s your screenplay format? Screenplay format gets a bad rap and is often conflated with writing craft. Whilst sometimes the two things DO cross over, this post will deal predominantly with **how** your script looks ON THE PAGE. Continuing in the Top 5 Mistakes series, I’ll be concentrating on screenplay format today. (I’m assuming your layout, spelling, punctuation and grammar are awesome already. If not, you can check here: 10 Common Errors In Your Writing You Need To Fix Right Now.) Ready, then? Let’s go … 1) Overly long sluglines (aka ‘scene headers’) A slugline or scene header in a… Read More »Top 5 Screenplay Format Mistakes

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7 Best Proofreading Tools For Writers

As a writer, you likely have a pretty long list of fears. What if people don’t love your work? What if you don’t find your audience? What if your writing is riddled with typos? While online tools can’t help with the first two concerns, they can certainly eliminate the fear of embarrassing mistakes in your novel. These proofreading tools can cross one thing off your list, at least: 1) Hemingway Editor The best writers can take long, complicated thoughts and turn them into simple, easy to read sentences. Nobody did this better than Ernest Hemingway. Bring a little Ernest Hemingway… Read More »7 Best Proofreading Tools For Writers

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Watch Out For These Five Top Writing Mistakes, courtesy of Grammarly

First impressions count Yet novelist or screenwriter, there ARE common errors writers make when submitting their work to readers, agents, filmmakers, producers and publishers. It’s all very well saying “the story is everything” – and you’d be right! – but at the same time, if your poor writing CRAFT gets in the way of that, HOW is your story going to shine??? The good news is, it’s never been easier to fix the top writing mistakes novelists and screenwriters make. Check out this brilliant infographic from Grammarly which puts the most common errors in the spotlight, having worked with nearly… Read More »Watch Out For These Five Top Writing Mistakes, courtesy of Grammarly

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Are YOU A Grammar Nerd? Find Out …

Many thanks to Grammarly, who have been in touch with this fab infographic, The Anatomy Of A Grammar Nerd. I love it and if anyone says “irregardless” around me?? I WILL PRESS THE RED BUTTON AND KILL US ALL. See below for more! Good grammar, spelling and punctuation can be a constant challenge to writers and readers alike, so it’s really important to ensure you can get a handle on this small, but significant element of writing. Check out these previous articles on B2W here for more: 10 Common Errors In Your Writing You Need To Fix Right Now 5 Killer Grammar… Read More »Are YOU A Grammar Nerd? Find Out …

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Top 10 Writing Misconceptions

Whenever anyone asks what I do and I reply, “I’m a writer” and/or “I’m a script editor“, they’ll reply, “Wow! How interesting.” My reaction to this is always an indulgent, “Awwwwwwwww …” because as anyone knows, there’s a STACK of misconceptions laypeople (and indeed other writers!) have about writing in general. Here’s just ten of them … Enjoy! 1) Writers love writing Hahahaha. No. And Yes. And NO NO NO NO … just no. I hate writing SO MUCH. Except when I don’t and it’s awesome. MORE: 7 Writing Reminders 2) Writing is all about talent Some of us are uber-talented.… Read More »Top 10 Writing Misconceptions

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10 Common Errors In Your Writing You Need To Fix Right Now

Common Writing Errors When it comes to common writing errors, there are PLENTY doing the rounds in the spec pile. Rightly or wrongly, this is how ‘professional writing’ is perceived … Professional formatting + Professional layout + Professional grammar, spelling & punctuation = Professional writing. It’s not rocket science. Look, the odd mistake or typo will always slip through. NO reader, agent, producer or assistant worth their salt will ever care about that. What we’re talking about are the CONSISTENT CLANGERS that can get you marked down, or worse, thrown in the dreaded OUT tray! So here’s a list of those… Read More »10 Common Errors In Your Writing You Need To Fix Right Now

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5 Ways To Impress A Literary Assistant (Or At Least Not Irritate Them)

It’s been yet more Submissions Insanity this week at B2W Towers, though for once the shoe has been on the OTHER foot as I’ve found myself in hot water for daring to share my last article in an online screenwriting group that I was invited to join and start a discussion?? Guess I didn’t read the admin’s mind well enough! Whatevs, homies. Unlike some jumped-up jobsworths out there in www.land, REAL industry gatekeepers out there don’t want you to try and resort to telepathy … Instead, they WANT you to clear those hoops and get your fantastic submissions into their… Read More »5 Ways To Impress A Literary Assistant (Or At Least Not Irritate Them)

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5 Tips For Editing Your Work

Being a good writer is one thing, while being a good editor is completely different. There is a great possibility that someone is going to ask you to edit or review some type of document at some point of your career. It may be your boss who needs you to expand a certain report that has been started by another employee, or it may be your friend who is asking for help on proofreading a paper. Whatever the task is, proofreading and editing someone else’s work can be a real challenge. First of all, it is not easy to determine… Read More »5 Tips For Editing Your Work

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The 7 Deadly Writing Sins

Many thanks to the marvellous Gill Kirk who suggested “The 7 Deadly Sins of Writing” as a blog topic! (If you have an idea for a topic or a writing question, then tweet me or leave a message in the B2W Facebook group.) 7) Lust No, I’m not talking about sleeping your way to the top … though whatever floats your boat! Under its old meaning, “lust” referred to the notion of DESIRE – and desire to succeed can cloud writers’ judgement in all kinds of surprising (and potentially career-kicking) ways. Obviously a healthy desire to succeed is good. But then… Read More »The 7 Deadly Writing Sins

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15 Guidelines For Submitting Your Articles To Small Press Magazines

Small press magazines are a great little institution, and still one of the best ways to get your writing work published. They may not have an audience of millions and they may not pay out a great deal for your work, but having small press magazines on your writing CV will mean a lot to publishers, agents and other writers, who understand just how important they are to the grand scheme of things in the writing world. Ignore them at your peril. If you are thinking of approaching small press magazines as a way of getting your work published in… Read More »15 Guidelines For Submitting Your Articles To Small Press Magazines

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