Writing & Editing Advice

This category focuses on clear, effective writing and the editing skills that make it possible. Posts here break down common writing habits that weaken prose, explain why they don’t work, and show how to fix them with stronger structure, sharper verbs, and cleaner sentences. You’ll find practical guidance on self-editing, craft fundamentals, and revision techniques writers can apply immediately—whether you’re drafting fiction, nonfiction, memoir, or business content.

Read the Polished Sentences Series currently running here in the blog or subscribe for free on Substack @wendyspurlin.

The Importance of Editing and Proofreading in Self-Publishing: How to Polish Your Manuscript to Perfection

So, you’ve finished your manuscript. Congratulations! That’s a huge accomplishment. But before you hit that “publish” button, there’s one critical step you must take: editing and proofreading. In the world of self-publishing, where you’re responsible for every aspect of your book’s production, ensuring your manuscript is polished and error-free is essential for success. Why Editing and Proofreading Are Crucial Editing and proofreading are more than just correcting typos and grammatical errors. These processes ensure your … Read more

Why Stories Need One Protagonist (and Why Supporting Characters Should Stay Supporting)

One of the most common structural mistakes new writers make is confusing importance with point of view. Just because a character plays a significant role in the story does not mean they should carry POV. In fact, giving POV to too many characters—especially in books for younger readers—often weakens the story instead of strengthening it. At the heart of this issue is a misunderstanding of what a protagonist actually is. What a Protagonist Does A … Read more

How to Fix POV: Why Omniscient Openings Break Your Story (and How to Fix Them)

One of the most common point-of-view mistakes in fiction happens right at the beginning of a chapter. Writers often slip into third person omniscient without realizing it, especially when trying to introduce characters quickly or establish mood. The result is usually subtle—but damaging. Readers feel distance instead of immersion, confusion instead of clarity, and a sense that the story is being summarized rather than experienced. Let’s look at why this happens and how to fix … Read more

Choosing Point of View Characters: Why Fewer POVs Make a Stronger Story

One of the most common mistakes new fiction writers make isn’t sentence-level craft or weak dialogue—it’s choosing too many point-of-view characters. Adding POVs often feels like depth. In reality, it usually creates confusion, weakens the protagonist, and fractures the story’s emotional core. Choosing POV characters is not about fairness or variety; it’s about story leadership. Let’s talk about how to choose POV characters intentionally—and why restraint matters. POV Is Narrative Power When you give a … Read more

The “Would” Problem: When Conditional Verbs Weaken Storytelling

One small word can quietly drain energy from a memoir: would. Writers of fiction and nonfiction often use would when describing past experiences, but the word frequently creates distance between the reader and the action. Instead of stating what happened, the sentence shifts into a conditional or habitual structure that weakens the verb. Consider this example: Pinocchio would lie whenever he was afraid. This sentence summarizes behavior rather than showing it. Now compare it to … Read more

Stop Separating Description and Dialogue: Let Beats Do the Work

One of the fastest ways to weaken a scene is to split dialogue and description into separate paragraphs when they belong together. Writers often think they’re adding depth by spacing things out. In reality, they’re diluting momentum, repeating information, and—worse—introducing POV problems the reader can feel even if they can’t name. Let’s talk about how dialogue beats work, and why combining dialogue and description often makes scenes tighter, clearer, and more immersive. The Problem: Fragmented … Read more

Mastering Research Techniques: Effective Methods for Gathering Accurate Information and Sources

In the world of nonfiction writing, thorough research is the cornerstone of credibility and depth. Whether you’re writing a biography, a historical account, or a business book, mastering research techniques is essential. Here we will explore effective methods for gathering accurate information and sources, including the use of archives, libraries, and digital resources to enrich your nonfiction work. Understanding the Importance of Research Before diving into specific techniques, it’s important to understand why meticulous research … Read more

Stop “Beginning to Do” Things: Why -ING Verbs Weaken Your Writing

If your sentences are constantly “beginning,” “starting,” or “continuing” to do something, I’ve got bad news: your writing is dragging its feet. Even worse, it’s announcing that it’s dragging its feet. Phrases like: are some of the most common culprits in weak, flabby writing. They don’t add meaning. They delay action. And they quietly drain energy from your sentences. Let’s talk about why this happens—and how to fix it. The Real Problem Isn’t -ING. It’s … Read more

The Problem with “Seemed” Sentences

Words like seemed, appeared, and phrases such as seemed like often weaken a sentence by introducing uncertainty where the writer could state the idea directly. These words act as filters between the reader and the moment being described. Instead of presenting the experience clearly, the sentence suggests that the narrator is interpreting or guessing. Consider this example from the world of Pinocchio: It seemed like Geppetto was disappointed. Now compare it to a more direct … Read more

Say What It Is, Not What It Isn’t

One subtle habit that weakens prose is describing something by what it isn’t rather than stating what it is. Writers often do this without realizing it. Sentences slip into constructions using not, didn’t, wasn’t, or similar negatives. While these sentences may technically communicate the idea, they force the reader to mentally process the opposite of what the writer actually means. Clear writing moves forward. Negative constructions make the reader take a detour. Consider the difference: … Read more

Breaking the Repetition Trap: When Every Sentence Starts the Same

Memoir and personal nonfiction naturally rely on first-person narration, but that doesn’t mean every sentence should begin with “I.” One of the most common structural problems in early drafts is the repeated use of sentence openings like I didn’t, I remember, or I felt. When this pattern appears several times in a row, the prose becomes predictable and the emotional impact weakens. Readers don’t consciously analyze sentence structure, but their brains quickly recognize repetition. When … Read more

The Problem with Wordy Clauses

Many early drafts contain sentences weighed down by wordy clauses—phrases that add length without adding meaning. These clauses often appear in forms like: Writers use these constructions when they are explaining a thought instead of stating it directly. The result is a sentence that circles around the idea rather than delivering it clearly. Consider this example from the world of Pinocchio: Now compare it to a cleaner version: Pinocchio realized that lying always made his … Read more

Stop Telling Readers How Things Feel: Let Verbs Do the Work

If your writing keeps explaining how something felt, chances are the sentence already proves it—and then ruins it by over-explaining. This is one of the most common issues I see when editing manuscripts, especially in memoir, nonfiction, and reflective fiction. Writers don’t trust the sentence to carry meaning on its own, so they step in and explain the experience instead. The result? Softer prose, slower pacing, and emotional distance. Let’s fix that. The Problem: Emotional … Read more

Stop Filtering Your POV: Trust the Scene to Speak for Itself

Once a point of view is established, you don’t need to keep reminding the reader who is seeing, noticing, or realizing things. Yet many writers do exactly that—over and over—by inserting the viewpoint character between the reader and the scene. This is called POV filtering, and while it’s a common habit, it weakens immersion, slows pacing, and creates unnecessary distance between the reader and the story. Let’s fix it. What POV Filtering Looks Like POV … Read more

The Problem with Passive Voice

Passive voice occurs when a sentence hides or removes the person or thing performing the action. Instead of showing who is responsible, the sentence focuses on the result of the action. This structure is not always wrong, but it often creates sentences where the subject becomes unclear and the prose loses energy. Consider this example from the world of Hansel and Gretel: Hansel and Gretel were led into the forest. The sentence tells us what … Read more

3 Simple Tips for More Productive Writing Time

Writers don’t always have the luxury of endless hours to chase words. Life intrudes—kids, jobs, laundry, that Netflix show that just dropped. The good news? You don’t need long stretches of uninterrupted time to make progress on your manuscript. You need focused time. Here are three tips to help you get there. 1. Protect Your Writing Window Schedule your writing time like an appointment. If you tell yourself “I’ll write when I get a chance,” … Read more

From Manuscript to Memoir: Your Guide to Publishing

Publishing a memoir is a rewarding journey, giving you a chance to share your personal story. You might wonder how to turn your manuscript into a published book. We’ll guide you through the steps involved and help you find the best path. This guide covers everything from crafting your story to effectively marketing your memoir. Key Takeaways: Crafting an Engaging Memoir First, make sure your memoir tells a captivating story. You want it to be … Read more

The Six Essential Story Elements Every Fiction Writer Needs to Master

Whether you’re crafting a sweeping fantasy epic or an intimate character study, storytelling success depends on solid structural foundations. While creative inspiration is valuable, the most compelling fiction relies on carefully constructed narrative architecture. Why Story Elements Matter in Fiction Story elements are the fundamental building blocks that help structure and define your narrative. Think of them as an architectural framework that organizes the core aspects of your story into clear, interconnected parts. In fiction … Read more

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