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#IWSG Editing, Blurbs, Cover Design


Happy July to all writers! Join us at Alex Cavanaugh's blog for the monthly support group.


My favorite season is summer, especially swimming outside. Swimming a couple of miles is much more fun in the sunshine.

Americans, what are you doing July 4th? Attending a cookout like me? I'll attempt these patriotic red velvet brownies (*points right*)

Check out the recipe HERE.

My editor and I are thick into edits for my fifth novel, Blocked.

We came up with a blurb (that was tough!) and posted it on Goodreads.

And now I'm getting quotes from cover designers. What do you think is a reasonable cost for a cover artist? I'll likely pony up and pay a bit more than I'd planned in order to get the designer I want.

One thing I've noticed in editing is my typical writer mistakes. (Thank God for editors!) In the past, I've had shifty POV, but I think I've cleared that up. But I continue to struggle with the timeline. My editor has to ask "When is this happening?" or "Is this before or after Beergate?" I wrote out a timeline, chapter by chapter, so hopefully that will help. 

A new problem with this manuscript seems to be my use of commas. Apparently, I use, commas, too much, at times. And at other times I don't use commas enough. ;-)

What writer mistakes haunt you?

I'm giving away a $10 gift card for the Freedom to Read Giveaway...feel free to enter below. Hope you have a wonderful July!

Comments

Can I have one of those brownies when you make them?
Beergate - funny.
And what's with writer mistakes, especially the ones we keep making? Like me and the word hangar?
Jennifer Lane said…
Sure Alex, I'll get you one promptly! I would TOTALLY misspell hangar, so I feel ya.
I’ve seen prices for book covers range from $20 to $2000.

For a professional looking, well designed book cover, the sort you see in your local book stores

and from publishers like Penguin, Harper Collins, Random House, and Pearson you should expect to pay from $500 to $1200.

But those artists just starting out will charge you much less.

wordle.net will let you make an art piece of your chapters, letting you know which words you use most often. It is both fun and helpful. :-)
Cherie Colyer said…
I want a brownie too. They look delicious. Great blurb for Blocked. :)
Cherie Colyer said…
Oh! I forgot, writer mistakes I'm known for... I'm definitely comma challenged, although I think I've gotten a little better. And for the life of me I still misuse past and passed. I always have to pay extra attention when I use them and often just find a different way to say what I want.
J.Q. Rose said…
Yum, can I come to your 4th of July party? Brownies forever! I hear ya' on the timeline. My crit partners are always nagging me when this scene occurs. Good luck with your WIP!
Nicki Elson said…
If I had a nickel for every time I've been asked if something happened before or after Beergate...

Commas can be nasty little buggers. Hope I'm not responsible for adding any of the offending ones!

It's very exciting to see Blocked up on Goodreads!! I'll pop in a short early copy review when I get a chance & then do my full after when the final version is released! (Love that plan for Vibby too, if I didn't say)
Jennifer Lane said…
Roland, thanks for the pricing info. Ooh, I forgot about Wurdle--will have to check that out. :-)
Jennifer Lane said…
Glad to know I'm not the only comma-challenged writer, Cherie. Passed and past are tough! Thanks.
Jennifer Lane said…
JQ, another timeline challenged writer? Great to hear I'm not alone. Thanks for stopping by but you should be writing! Hehe.
Jennifer Lane said…
Nicki, ha ha! We all have much to explain when it comes to Beergate. Glad you're down with the plan, Stan!
Haha! Commas. Oh, yeah. I use them when I shouldn't and don't use them when I should. Best of luck with your story.