Tag: reading

Editing

How Acorns Investing App Helps Freelance Editors Plan for the Future

Cayla

As a freelance novel editor, I know the importance of focusing on the finer details. Whether it’s a character arc or ensuring continuity across multiple chapters, every small effort builds toward the larger goal: a polished, compelling novel. In a similar way, small, consistent actions can have a big impact on personal finances. Enter the Acorns investing app—a tool designed for those of us who might not have a finance degree but want to secure a more stable financial future.

What is Acorns?

Acorns is a micro-investing app that allows you to invest spare change by rounding up everyday purchases to the nearest dollar. Imagine paying $2.50 for your coffee, and Acorns takes the extra $0.50, investing it into a diversified portfolio on your behalf. It’s effortless, automated, and beginner-friendly—perfect for busy freelancers like me.

How Editing and Investing Are Alike

The similarities between editing and investing through Acorns are surprising. Here are a few ways that both my work and Acorns follow the same principles:

1. Small Changes Make a Big Difference

When editing a novel, it’s the subtle shifts in tone, the slight tweaks to dialogue, and the adjustment of pacing that can turn a good story into a great one. Similarly, with Acorns, those tiny spare-change roundups—insignificant on their own—grow over time into something substantial. Consistency is key. In editing, just like in investing, it’s about focusing on the long-term result.

2. Automated Processes Save Time

Just like a well-organized editorial schedule saves me time and energy, Acorns’ automation does the same for investing. The app handles everything, from pulling funds to choosing a portfolio, allowing me to focus on what I love—helping authors perfect their stories—while my money grows quietly in the background.

3. Investing in the Future

Editing a manuscript is an investment of time and effort that ultimately pays off when the novel is ready for publication. Similarly, using Acorns is an investment in my financial future. I might not always have the stability of a 9-to-5 job or a steady paycheck as a freelancer, but with tools like Acorns, I’m creating a safety net that grows as I continue to work and grow my business.

Why Freelancers Should Consider Acorns

Freelancing comes with many uncertainties, and for many of us, retirement planning is a distant afterthought. Acorns makes it easy to invest without requiring large sums of money upfront. For someone like me who juggles multiple projects, clients, and deadlines, the app simplifies investing in a way that fits naturally into my work life.

By making small, consistent investments, freelancers can build financial security over time—just like crafting the perfect plot or helping characters come to life. Acorns is more than an app; it’s a tool that empowers freelancers to focus on their work while planning for the future.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a freelance editor, writer, or creative professional, managing both your work and finances can be a challenge. The Acorns app offers a practical, low-maintenance solution to grow your investments. Just like editing, it’s a process of refinement and small, deliberate improvements that lead to long-term rewards. It’s time to invest not only in the stories we help create, but in our own futures as well.

Cheers!

Cayla!

Editing

Crafting Engaging Dialogue: Breathing Life Into Your Characters’ Conversations

Cayla

Dialogue is one of the most powerful tools a writer has to convey character, advance plot, and immerse readers in the story. But it can also be one of the trickiest elements to master. Stiff, unrealistic dialogue can pull readers out of the narrative, while natural, engaging conversations draw them deeper into your world. Here are some tips to help you create dialogue that feels authentic, dynamic, and compelling.

1. Let Your Characters Speak Like Real People (But Not Exactly)

Real-life conversations are often filled with filler words, tangents, and pauses, but that doesn’t mean your characters should talk like that on the page. Dialogue in fiction should feel natural while still being more polished than everyday speech.

Avoid long-winded exchanges or repetitive phrases that bog down the narrative. Each line should serve a purpose—whether it’s revealing something about a character, building tension, or moving the story forward. But make sure it’s not too perfect; leaving in the occasional “uh” or “well” can add authenticity.

2. Show, Don’t Tell

Dialogue is a great way to show rather than tell your readers what a character is feeling or thinking. Instead of telling readers that a character is angry, let their words reflect that emotion. Short, clipped sentences can show frustration, while rapid-fire exchanges can indicate rising tension. Likewise, a character who stumbles over their words might be nervous or unsure.

Example:

  • Telling: “I’m really mad at you,” John said angrily.
  • Showing: “Oh, so this is what we’re doing now?” John’s voice was sharp, his fingers gripping the table’s edge.

3. Keep It Concise

In real life, we might spend several minutes debating something mundane, but in fiction, you want to avoid lengthy, irrelevant conversations. Your dialogue should get to the point and focus on what matters to the story. Long speeches or overly detailed explanations can lose readers’ interest.

When in doubt, trim the excess. Can you say the same thing with fewer words? Readers will appreciate a brisk pace.

4. Differentiate Your Characters’ Voices

Every character should have a unique voice, and their dialogue should reflect their personality, background, and current emotional state. A college professor might use more complex words, while a teenager might speak more casually. A confident character will sound different from someone who’s shy or insecure.

Listen for individual rhythms, quirks, and styles of speech. Even without dialogue tags, readers should be able to tell who’s speaking based on how they talk.

5. Use Subtext and Implication

Sometimes, the most powerful dialogue is what isn’t said. People rarely speak their minds outright, especially in emotionally charged situations. Let your characters’ words carry deeper meanings, using subtext to imply their true feelings.

Example:

  • Explicit: “I’m sorry I cheated on you. I made a huge mistake.”
  • Subtle: “Look, I never meant for this to happen. You know that, right?”

The second example carries the weight of an apology without saying it outright, leaving room for tension and interpretation.

6. Add Action and Reactions

Dialogue shouldn’t exist in a vacuum. Break up lines with actions or reactions that add texture to the scene. This helps avoid the “talking heads” effect, where it feels like characters are just spouting words without moving or interacting with their environment.

For instance, instead of just having characters exchange words during a heated argument, show their body language: clenched fists, pacing, or looking away. This adds depth to their emotions and the scene.

Example:

  • “Fine, you win,” Sarah muttered, slamming the drawer shut and turning away.

7. Avoid Information Dumps

While dialogue can be a tool for delivering information, be careful not to turn it into an info dump. Characters shouldn’t sound like they’re lecturing or giving the reader a history lesson. If you need to convey a lot of information, break it up with actions, inner thoughts, or let the reader discover some of the details naturally as the story progresses.

Final Thoughts

Engaging dialogue draws readers into your story, makes characters feel real, and keeps the narrative flowing smoothly. By using dialogue to show emotions, reveal character traits, and advance the plot, you’ll create conversations that your readers won’t want to skip.

Remember, I’m a professional copy editor and proofreader that is happy to help with any of your manuscript needs!

What challenges do you face when writing dialogue? Share your experiences in the comments—I’d love to hear what strategies work for you!

Cheers!

Editing

Polishing Your Fiction: How to Strengthen Your Plot for Maximum Impact

Cayla

As a writer, you may have a cast of characters who feel authentic and real, but without a strong plot to back them up, their story can fall flat. Just like a house needs a solid foundation, your narrative needs a sturdy plot to keep your readers hooked from beginning to end. Here are some tips to strengthen your plot and elevate your story to the next level.

1. Understand the Core Conflict

At the heart of every engaging story is a central conflict. Whether it’s a struggle between good and evil, internal doubt, or a complicated relationship, this conflict drives the story forward. Make sure your main characters have something to fight for or against, and don’t be afraid to raise the stakes. Readers need a reason to root for your characters, and conflict gives them that reason.

2. Check for Plot Holes

A plot hole is any inconsistency or gap in your story that makes the reader question its believability. As you revise, carefully examine your storyline to ensure that every event makes sense within the world you’ve created. Are there any unexplained events? Does everything tie together logically? A good editor can help you spot these gaps and offer suggestions to patch them up seamlessly.

3. Pacing Matters

A well-paced plot keeps readers engaged without overwhelming them with too much action or bogging them down with too much description. Ensure that your story has a natural ebb and flow. Scenes of action or tension should be followed by moments of reflection or calm to give readers a breather. Keep an eye on sections that feel too slow—tightening those can improve your narrative’s rhythm.

4. Character Motivation Drives Plot

Your characters shouldn’t just react to the plot; their desires, fears, and goals should drive it. If your protagonist wants to achieve something, the obstacles they face will shape the plot. Ask yourself, “What do my characters want?” and “What’s stopping them from getting it?” The answers will help you fine-tune the events and twists in your story.

5. Subplots Should Support the Main Story

While subplots can add depth to your story, they should never overshadow or derail the main plot. If you have side stories that don’t enhance the central conflict or character development, consider cutting them. However, well-placed subplots can add layers to your narrative, making it richer and more complex.

6. Surprises and Twists

Predictability can kill a reader’s interest, so keep them on their toes by incorporating unexpected twists. However, make sure that these surprises are earned. A twist should feel shocking but inevitable in hindsight, not random. When done right, these moments can leave a lasting impact and make your plot memorable.

7. The Resolution Should Feel Satisfying

Once you’ve built up the tension throughout your story, it’s important to deliver a resolution that feels satisfying. That doesn’t always mean a happy ending, but it should feel fitting for the characters and the journey they’ve been on. Loose ends can frustrate readers, so make sure everything is wrapped up—or at least addressed—by the conclusion.

Final Thoughts

Creating a strong plot takes time and careful consideration, but with these tips in mind, you can shape a story that grips readers from start to finish. Remember, a solid plot enhances the depth of your characters and keeps the narrative on track. And, of course, having a skilled editor to review your work can help identify the elements that will truly make your story shine.

If you’re working on a manuscript and want feedback on how to strengthen your plot or characters, feel free to reach out to me for professional copyediting services. Together, we can bring your story to life in the most compelling way possible!

Cheers!

Book Reviews

Intense Nordic Tale: Freya’s Transformation and Bjorn’s Love | Review

Cayla

Rating: ★★★★★
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

This one deserves all the stars. I adored every minute of this. For some reason, Vikings are one of my favorites to read about. The ferocity of everything they do makes things so much more intense. Be that their love, their fighting, literally just their existing.

Freya is one part badass, one part impulsive, another part loyal, and yet still one more part endearing. Bjorn is one spicy, fiery, sweet, and caring Viking that has raided my shores for my heart. Okay, that was cheesy. But still, he’s a top notch book boyfriend.

It is hard to keep one’s wits when faced with a woman as beautiful as the sight of shore to a man who has been lost at sea.

Bjorn is hilariously poetic even when he does not mean to be, but the above quote is by fat one of the sweetest things I think he tells Freya.

I love the growth that Freya goes through in this, and it’s been awhile since I read a book that didn’t have a POV in the male lead’s eyes. However, it was actually refreshing to not immediately have answers to what was happening in Bjorn’s head. Danielle really takes us on a journey through this and not just across the map of Skaland. We see Freya go from beaten and downtrodden to finding her voice to questioning her voice to really leaning into the emotions she feels.

I will be anxiously waiting for the next installment of the Saga of the Unfated because I feel as though I’ve been left in an icy fjord waiting for a drakkar to come pick me up.

Have you read this one yet? How did you feel about Freya, Snorri, Bjorn, and Ylva? If you haven’t read this one yet, have you read any other Nordic/Viking books?

Cheers and happy reading!

General Bookish

I did something today

Cayla

So I did something huge today. I published an episode on Kindle Vella. It’s my first time publishing something I’ve written in the fiction realm. While I don’t think anyone will actually read it because I’m anxious about marketing it and it being me as the author and people knowing that, I am proud of myself for finally doing it.

Shoot, maybe I’ll finally finish the thing too!

However, if anyone is interested, you can find it for free here!

Here’s our cover for it!

Editing

Why it’s so important to show and not tell

Cayla

Show don’t tell is a phrase authors and writers hear constantly. Whether it’s from writing coaches or reviewers, it’s almost always at the forefront of any analysis of writing. What does that phrase even mean though?

Showing your reader involves putting the reader into the situation. The author describes feelings, sounds, sights. The author effectively plays to all of the reader’s senses. When telling is involved, the author will state exactly what is being conveyed.

When the author shows instead of tells, the reader feels what is happening. The reader is able to come to the correct conclusion of the emotion being felt by the character or the idea being portrayed. In the above example, a thriller author is going to have a better chance of creating that eerie setting and feeling with the first description. The second sentence doesn’t give nearly enough of an emotional connection to it to evoke the chills on the reader’s spine.

Take out those feel words. The “heard,” “smelled,” “tasted,” “saw.” The character is happy, sure, but how can the writer describe that? Did she have tears streaming down her face, her stomach aching from laughing so hard? Did her cheeks feel as though they were ready to split in two from grinning? Was there a lightness in her chest that wasn’t there before?

Choose an emotion or a scene and write! Go back and look to see how many of those feeling type words are used and then rewrite those bits.

A fun exercise I like is to select a scene from your favorite movie or show and try to write it out. Convey all the emotions and feelings without just simply stating what they’re experiencing.

Happy writing!

General Bookish, Sunday Spotlight

Sunday Spotlight: The Ardelean Bloodline – Sarah Jaeger

Cayla

We’re starting something new today. I’m going to feature a different indie author every Sunday, in addition to reviews, ARC reads, and y’know, just general posts about indies.

Today, we’re focusing on an indie that I actually stumbled upon right before releasing her debut novel, Smoke. I signed up for her ARC team on a whim, and I’m so glad I did because she’s become a dear friend of mine.

Smoke is a wolf shifter romance with bodyguard, politicians daughter, “she’s mine,” and star crossed lovers vibes. There’s also fated mates, some delicious hand necklaces, outdoor spice, plus size rep, and mental health—specifically, anxiety—rep.

Shifter romances are so hard to make seem not cheesy. It’s common for shifter romances to feel like the MCs are just going through the motions and don’t feel like they really have an option other than ending up together. Not the case here! I love the struggle between the characters as well as the outside world.

While I thought Cade was my end all be all of sexy, alpha wolves, Finn came barreling in the door in book 2 knocking that thought right out the window.

I mean….isn’t he just delectable.

Irish. Mobster. Alpha af. Caretaker.

Sign me tf up. These books are chunky. Jaeger doesn’t leave any world building out and does it so beautifully it all feels seamless with the real world. On top of that, each book’s politics build on the last so they don’t end up being ships passing in the night in terms of an interconnected series. Plus, we love a well-written woman in STEM.

Our third MMC in this series is near and dear to my heart….not only because he lives in my backyard basically, but because he is so perfectly flawed and troubled. I won’t give anything away about who he is, other than her dad’s best friend and deliciously alpha.

Sarah’s books are some you don’t want to miss.

They’re on Amazon here! You can also follow Sarah Jaeger on insta here!

Happy reading, fam!

General Bookish, To Be Read Pile

Latest Book Mail

Cayla

Book Mail always makes me feel so special. I love opening up my mailbox to find PR boxes and books I’ve pre ordered. It feels like Christmas year round, ha!

I totally was not expecting to receive Lucia Franco’s books, but I’ve been impatiently waiting for Heaven Breaker and A Curse of Blood and Wolves.

Hush Hush by Lucia Franco

Blurb:

I knew the rules.

Never reveal my true identity.
Play the game, give the illusion.
Don’t get close to the clients.

The dark and glamorous lifestyle of the rich and shameless open my eyes to a lavish world of sin and wealth, and a man I can’t have.

A man I desperately want—James Riviera.

We’re treading a fine line as we live the ultimate double life until we make a startling discovery that tests both our loyalties.
I only had to follow the rules, but rules are meant to be broken.

Find it here!

A Curse of Blood and Wolves by Melissa McTernan

Blurb:

Is it possible to be drawn to someone you’ve never met?

When Ruby feels the eyes of a stranger in the woods, she knows she should be scared, that she should run away, but she can’t. Instead, she feels a thrill, feels drawn to this stranger who follows her in the woods. Yearns for his eyes on her every night as she walks home, hoping to hear the crunch of leaves under his feet that signals he’s there.

Will he ever reveal himself?

After all, fate doesn’t make mistakes …

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Find it here!

Heaven Breaker by Sara Wolf

Blurb:

Bravery isn’t what you do. It’s what you endure.

The duke of the powerful House Hauteclare is the first to die. With my dagger in his back.

He didn’t see it coming. Didn’t anticipate the bastard daughter who was supposed to die with her mother―on his order. He should have left us with the rest of the Station’s starving, commoner rubbish.

Now there’s nothing left. Just icy-white rage and a need to make House Hauteclare pay. Every damn one of them.

Even if it means riding Heavenbreaker―one of the few enormous machines left over from the War―and jousting against the fiercest nobles in the system.

Each win means another one of my enemies dies. And here, in the cold terror of space, the machine and I move as one, intent on destroying each adversary―even if it’s someone I care about. Even if it’s someone I’m falling for.

Only I’m not alone. Not anymore.

Because there’s something in the machine with me. Something horrifying. Something…more.

And it won’t be stopped.

You can snag it here!

Happy reading, friends!

Cayla

General Bookish

Dearest beloved…oh wait

Cayla

What personal belongings do you hold most dear?

Since this is a book blog, we’ll relate this back to my book collection.

But I think my old typewriter is one of my most dear possessions. It holds a special place in my heart because it relates to my love of reading, my job of editing, and my dream of writing.

Over the years, I’ve found solace and comfort between the pages of a book, I’ve found joy in my small editing business, and I’ve rediscovered my creativity in writing.

What is something that’s a little unconventional you hold dear?

Cayla

Editing, General Bookish

You can’t edit a blank page…

Cayla

I’ve been staring at a blank page for far too long trying to think of something to talk about today when I realized that I actually made a post on my Instagram about that this week.

Ironic, no?

My post feels a little on the nose after having sat here for who knows how long. I can’t even edit a blog post if there’s nothing there.

I think that’s something all of us creators need a reminder of every now and then. Your first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t even have to make sense. Just get the words out on the page. Get the ideas going because sometimes, once you get going, the words just keep going.

For me at least, staring at a blank page will breed self doubt and apathy toward my project, but once I get going, I find myself on a roll. Do I go back and edit out a good bit of what I’ve written or rewrite things and add others? Of course, but you can’t edit what isn’t there!

Just dump the words out

Throwing it back to middle school here. Do a mind dump. Just let the stream of consciousness take over the page. Don’t let anything tell you that it doesn’t belong on the page. Put it on there and go back later to make cuts and changes.

Set a timer

I find quick sprints to be really effective. When you’re dumping out the words or just trying to work on an idea, set a timer anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes and just work. Put your phone on do not disturb, ignore that email notification that just came in, just let your brain focus on one task. Get your coffee or your snack before you set the timer so you’re not tempted to make a trip to the kitchen mid sprint.

Doodle

Okay hear me out, do you ever let your mind wander while you’re on the phone and somehow you have this great idea but then you don’t remember it? Start doodling so your brain is focused on that, but once your brain wanders and the idea strikes, open the word doc and work! Or just start making notes on your doodle paper!

What do you typically do when you’re staring at a blank page?

Cayla