Upcoming Agent Spotlight Interviews & Guest Posts

  • Stuti Telidevara Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 3/20/2024
  • Agent Rachel Orr and Author Cathy Carr Guest Post and Lost Kites and Other Treasures Giveaway on 3/25/2024
  • Paula Weiman Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 4/8/2024
  • Hillary Fazzari Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 4/22/2024
  • Miriam Cortinovis Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 5/6/2024
  • Jenniea Carter Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 5/8/2024
  • Caroline Trussell Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 5/20/2024
  • Jenna Satterthwaite Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 6/10/2024
  • Bethany Weaver Agent Spotlight Interview and Query Critique Giveaway on 6/24/2024

Agent Spotlight & Agent Spotlight Updates

  • Agent Spotlights & Interviews have been updated through the letter "H" as of 5/11/2023 and many have been reviewed by the agents. Look for more information as I find the time to update more agent spotlights.

Tip Tuesday #89

Tip Tuesday is a recurring feature where blog readers send in tips for fellow writers. If you'd like to send in a tip, please e-mail me at agentspotlight(at)gmail(dot)com.

Today's nifty tips were sent in by Nazarea Andrews. You can find Nazarea at her website and blog. Please consider visiting after you read her tips below!

These are two tricks I use when fast drafting, to keep the flow going.

When I fast draft, I often use Write Or Die--which doesn't allow for special formatting (such as italics) so I use a symbol, such as * or ^ to denote when I want to place emphasis on a word or phrase. When I edit, it's easy to translate that into the proper formatting.

When I'm using MS Word, and come to something I want to go back to, or know I will need for reference later (character description, what they drive, important dates) I add a # and insert a note. Later, when I'm editing, it's easier to go through the document by symbol and notes to make sure I've kept details straight, or to fix a passage that I didn't like on first pass. It doesn't replace editing--not by a long shot--but it does help in keeping the little things straight, or referring back to things I know need more work without slowing down the first draft.

Hope that's helpful :)

Nazarea Andrews~

11 comments:

Charmaine Clancy said...

Love the # idea - I'll be using that from now on. Thanks!
Wagging Tales - Blog for Writers

Natalie Aguirre said...

I really like the # idea too. I'll try it on my next first draft. Thanks.

Heather Kelly said...

I too love the # idea. And then I might just tweet my notes as hashtags. LOL

Barbara Watson said...

Good tips! As recently as last Saturday, I started leaving myself little notes in my MS - things I knew it needed but didn't want to spend time on right at the moment.

Elana Johnson said...

Awesome tips! I've tried Write or Die and it freaks me out. But I do like the idea of making notes in my MS. I usually just do the square bracket [] and highlight in yellow. :)

Stephsco said...

This kind of notation would have helped me a lot in my first draft. I frustrated myself by constantly editing as I wrote. It is definitely a skill to get the story down in first draft without continually stopping to edit. I applaud you!

The Pen and Ink Blogspot said...

Excellent idea. Then you can just use find to get to all those # symbols. I still love color highlighting questionable passages, but this is definitely worth a try.

Ishta Mercurio said...

Good idea! I haven't tried Write or Die yet, but I've thought about it. I don't know if I could stop myself from going back and fixing things like spelling errors. That might drive me nuts.

Theresa Milstein said...

I like the idea of adding a # in Word to make it stand out.. I always use Word for writing.

Anonymous said...

You should try Scrivener. I have a question.. Do agents accept manuscripts even if the author is not an American?

Casey McCormick said...

Thank you for commenting, everyone!

Anon, most agents accept manuscripts from non-American authors, yes. Just make sure their guidelines don't specify "no international submissions" or similar. Many agents have clients outside the U.S. Good luck!