by Christine Bode | Feb 10, 2026 | Editing Tips
Self-editing is a necessary part of the writing process. However, the hidden risks of over-editing can quietly undermine your manuscript long before you realize it. Many writers believe relentless revision strengthens a book. In truth, too much self-editing often...
by Christine Bode | Feb 7, 2026 | Writing Tips
Editors form early impressions, but not final judgments. The first five pages of a manuscript offer signals, not conclusions. Within those opening moments, your manuscript’s first five pages reveal how a writer approaches language, tone, and reader trust. Five pages...
by Christine Bode | Jan 27, 2026 | Writing Tips
Readers don’t fall in love with characters because of perfect prose. They care because the characters feel alive. If you want to write compelling characters without overwriting, you must resist the urge to explain everything. Overwriting takes various forms:...
by Christine Bode | Jan 17, 2026 | Writing Tips
From your first draft onward, show vs tell writing tips matter more than you might think. Writers everywhere hear “show, don’t tell,” but few stop to ask what that really means. Worse, many feel shame when they don’t do it perfectly. We won’t let that happen....
by Christine Bode | Jan 13, 2026 | Publishing Industry
Ah, the tantalizing dream of self-publishing. It’s the siren call that whispers, You can do this your way. And you can—but let’s not pretend it’s simple. That’s why I’m offering self-publishing success tips for authors who want it done right....
