Welcome to Writing While Distracted, where scattered thoughts transform into literary brilliance. Join Brenda Murphy, your NeuroSpicy writing coach, as she dives into challenges neurodiverse writers face, particularly in editing. Discover invaluable tips to conquer distractions and utilize your strengths for a compelling narrative. From reading aloud to tackle punctuation issues to ensuring pronoun clarity in complex stories, Brenda covers essential editing strategies to polish your manuscript.

Embark on a journey through proven methods to avoid common mistakes made by neurodivergent authors. Learn to identify sentence fragments, maintain tense consistency, and embrace active voice for engaging storytelling. With practical hacks like using highlighters for character clarity and employing global search to eliminate echoes and overused adverbs, editing becomes an achievable task.

Whether navigating homophone hurdles or varying sentence lengths for optimal rhythm, this episode equips you with 25 key tips to enhance your manuscript. Brenda emphasizes the importance of formatting, feedback, and taking breaks to refine your art.

Stay inspired through the chaos, as you embrace the unique creative process that fuels every writer's journey. Tune in to unlock the secrets of editing mastery and send your polished work into the literary world with confidence.

Show Notes

Free resources for writers

https://brendalmurphy.com/resources-for-writers/

Character Workbook https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ofxxsx32dj

Newsletter Sign up link: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ik4sj696um

Shree Greer’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Baddest-Out-Your-Friends-Grammar/dp/1955629005/

Sandra Gerth’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Point-View-different-head-hopping-Writers-ebook/dp/B01LXFITOD/

Welcome back to "Writing While Distracted" with your NeuroSpicy writing coach, Brenda Murphy. In this episode, we dive deep into the revision process, exploring how to effectively collaborate with beta readers, developmental editors, and copy editors to refine your manuscript.

We begin by addressing Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), a common challenge for neurodivergent writers, and discuss strategies to manage these intense feelings during the revision process. Brenda shares personal insights and practical advice on how to maintain healthy professional relationships while navigating RSD.

Next, we break down the distinct roles of beta readers, developmental editors, and copy editors. Learn how each contributes to the manuscript's development, from providing reader-centric feedback to strategic big-picture edits and meticulous language polishing.

Brenda also offers best practices for working with your revision team, including how to find the right beta readers, the importance of clear communication, and the value of respecting their time and input. For those working with sensitivity readers, she emphasizes the importance of compensating them and valuing their unique perspectives.

Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, this episode is packed with tips to help you create the best possible version of your manuscript. Subscribe, leave a review, and join us next time as we continue to explore the writer's journey.

Until then, keep writing, keep revising, and take care of yourself.

Plays Well With Others Show notes

Sign up for my newsletter for free resources for Writers:

https://brendalmurphy.com/resources-for-writers/

Follow me on my socials for quick tips and updates: https://www.instagram.com/writinghwhiledistracted/

Struggling with character development? Check out my free character building workbook: https://BookHip.com/HDPNDMX

Here is the free resource 60 Ways to Show Character Arc: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/xjcaam4085

This podcast is all about structure: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-ckhgh-167fd45

Eileen Cook’s Build Better Characters: https://eileencook.com/non-fiction/

Debra Dixon Goal Motivation and Conflict: http://www.debradixon.com/index.html

Save the Cat: https://savethecat.com/books

Writing While Distracted Blog on Story Structure/Story ARC https://blog.writingwhiledistracted.com/?p=2295

My podcast about revisions and editing: Mastering Revisions: Turning Rough Drafts into Polished Gems https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-xhk2p-167fa2b

Sandra Gerth’s fantastic book Show Don’t Tell: https://www.amazon.com/Show-Dont-Tell-descriptions-characters-ebook/dp/B01LXFJ0AC/

MIlianote

https://milanote.com

Scrivener

https://www.literatureandlatte.com

Revisions and Editing Steps

To recap the process, I use to get my rough as hell draft to a finished product to send to an editor, publisher, or out on submission is:

• Round1: Revisions: structure, pacing, character arcs, genre conventions, continuity, and attending to items that require research.
• Round 2: Language: word choice, refining prose, pacing, dialogue, scene descriptions, character descriptions, continuity. *At this point I send it to my beta readers.
• Round 3: Proofing: Suggestions from Beta readers, grammar, spelling, punctuation, copy edits, line edits formatting for submission or publication. Copy edits, line edits.
• Round 4: Final proofing read through before submission or publishing.

Welcome to "Writing While Distracted," the podcast that transforms scattered thoughts into literary brilliance. I'm Brenda Murphy, your neuro-spicy writing coach, and today, we're diving into the art of dialogue in your writing.

Dialogue can make or break a novel, and for many, it’s the most challenging part of storytelling. Whether you're neurodivergent or neurotypical, our unique perspectives can add depth and authenticity to dialogue. In this episode, we explore strategies to polish your dialogue, making it natural, purposeful, and character-driven.

Learn how to cut out filler words, balance dialogue with action, and use subtext to convey emotions and relationships. We discuss the importance of avoiding info dumps and how to effectively tag dialogue with actions rather than overusing "he said, she said."

We also delve into the technical aspects of punctuating dialogue and offer insights from classic and contemporary films that excel in dialogue. By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with the tools to create engaging and authentic conversations in your writing.

Join us next time on "Writing While Distracted" as we continue to unravel the mysteries of the writer's mind. Until then, keep writing, keep wandering, and embrace the distractions that fuel your creativity.

Show notes

Free resources for writers

https://brendalmurphy.com/resources-for-writers/

Sign up for my newsletter and get a free character workbook https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ofxxsx32dj

My podcast about revisions and editing: Mastering Revisions: Turning Rough Drafts into Polished Gems https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-xhk2p-167fa2b

Sandra Gerth’s fantastic book Show Don’t Tell: https://www.amazon.com/Show-Dont-Tell-descriptions-characters-ebook/dp/B01LXFJ0AC/

MIlianote

https://milanote.com

Scrivener

https://www.literatureandlatte.com

Revisions and Editing Steps

To recap the process, I use to get my rough as hell draft to a finished product to send to an editor, publisher, or out on submission is:

• Round1: Revisions: structure, pacing, character arcs, genre conventions, continuity, and attending to items that require research.
• Round 2: Language: word choice, refining prose, pacing, dialogue, scene descriptions, character descriptions, continuity. *At this point I send it to my beta readers.
• Round 3: Proofing: Suggestions from Beta readers, grammar, spelling, punctuation, copy edits, line edits formatting for submission or publication. Copy edits, line edits.
• Round 4: Final proofing read through before submission or publishing.