Tragic Stories: Has This Happened to You?

I hear it too often. “Ma’am, can you help me? Can you really help me? I had an editor. I paid him…” The story doesn’t end well.

The New Series: Coming Soon!

Catch up on the latest at P&P. I’m ready to share things I’ve been learning, nuggets you should know, and the critical and “pressing” needs for your projects.

#HeyWriter—The Ugly Stuckling

What brings your writing to an ugly, screeching halt? Consider the fear of failure and rejection.

#HeyWriter—The Bad

Truth is, we don’t do all of writing skillfully; there’s room for growth in this craft. As an editor, I’ll list some of the common struggles I see.

#HeyWriter—Tell the Editor "No."

“Mom, I don’t think you should change anything about your writing. Write the way you want to write. Sometimes you have to say ‘No’ to the editor.” Really? What do you think?

Editor's Pick, Hey Writer SeriesJennifer JaoNovember 16, 2018#HeyWriter, Writing, Inner editorComment

#HeyWriter—Comparison Kills Creativity

My voice doesn’t really matter. I can’t say it better than _____. The message has already been said. If I did write something, who would read it? Publishers don’t give writers like me the time of day. I’m a nobody. Get this out of your head, friend!

#HeyWriter—It's a Gift

Hey Writer, have you landed in a trap? The main focus becomes how to get a response, and then the emotionally-charged treadmill starts up and rolls on.

#HeyWriter—You Have Something to Say

Writer, you know it. Deep in your core, you know. There is a storyline, a character, or a message—something you’ve just got to share.

Hey Writer SeriesJennifer JaoOctober 8, 2018Prepared & Polished Editing Services#HeyWriter, Writing, Message, CreativityComment

#HeyWriter—What Do You Need?

I’m really curious—what is it that you, writer, find to be your biggest challenge? What is it the writing community most needs? What should we be talking about?

Hey Writer SeriesJennifer JaoOctober 3, 2018Prepared & Polished Editing Services#HeyWriter, Writing, Needs, ChallengesComment

#HeyWriter—Lift Heavy Things

Every writer needs to know there is a message waiting to be shared, that it’s important, and she needs to tell it. Writing needs to be partly creative and play…

#HeyWriter—Mind the Margin

The writer’s mind should be tended, cared for, with gentleness and respect. Honestly, this is not just about writers. Don’t we all find our RPMs too high every so often, or too often?

Hey Writer SeriesJennifer JaoOctober 1, 2018#HeyWriter, Writing, Writing Life, MarginComment

#HeyWriter—Feed the Soul

The question of the day is this—What am I doing today that will feed my writer soul?

Hey Writer SeriesJennifer JaoSeptember 21, 2018Prepared & Polished Editing Services#HeyWriter, Writing, The mindComment

#HeyWriter—Got Analysis Paralysis?

One of the biggest struggles is the “stuck place” that goes along with over-thinking everything: plot or flow, content or structure, word choices, word count, the number of adverbs!

#HeyWriter—Create Character Sketches: Stranger Things

Write interesting characters with depth, the kind that draw a reader into the story. There’s something in the details.

#HeyWriter—What Do You Want in 2017?

What do you personally want out of your writing this year? This is just for you. It’s not word count, a finished manuscript, or sales. What do you want from the craft?