Tag Archives: Bodacious Copy

How to Write with Clarity, Professionalism and Your Own Sense of Style

Nonfiction Writing

Writing with clarity and professionalism is an important skill to have in any profession. Whether you are writing a business report, a blog post, a research paper, or a nonfiction book, having the ability to communicate your ideas clearly and concisely is essential. Writing with your own sense of style is also important and can be a daunting task. Yes, it can be challenging to know where to start, but you can learn how to make sure that your writing is clear, professional, and still reflects your unique voice. By focusing on these simple tips and strategies, you will write with clarity, professionalism, and your own sense of style.

Let’s discuss some tips and strategies for writing with clarity and professionalism. First, it is essential to understand the purpose of your writing. Before you begin, take some time to consider what you want to accomplish with it. For example, are you trying to inform, persuade, or entertain your readers? Knowing the purpose of your writing will help you focus your thoughts, draft your main points, and create a clear and concise message. In addition, knowing who you are writing for will help you to tailor your writing to their needs and interests. Once you clearly understand the purpose of your writing and who you are writing for, it is time to start writing.

When writing, it is essential to use simple language. Avoid jargon or overly complex words, as this will help to ensure that your writing is clear and easy to understand. Also, be aware of the tone of your writing. Professional writing should be formal and polite while conveying your message clearly. Be mindful of any potential biases or assumptions that you may have when writing. Awareness of these potential biases will help ensure that your writing is fair and unbiased. These things will help ensure that your message is clear and concise.

It is vital to use active voice when writing. Active voice is when the subject of the sentence is performing the action. For example, “We are going to a concert tonight” is an example of active voice. Using active voice will help make your writing more direct and easier to understand.

It is also important to use short sentences and paragraphs. Long sentences and paragraphs can be challenging to read and can make your writing seem cluttered. Sometimes it is acceptable to use a longer sentence but read your writing out loud to measure its fluidity. Is your tongue tripping as you read it? Are you gasping for breath to get the words out? If so, consider that your sentence is too long. Shorter sentences can often be more impactful. So instead, use short sentences and paragraphs that are easy to read and understand. This will help ensure that your message is clear and concise.

Make sure your writing reflects your unique style by using your own words and phrasing and incorporating your personal experiences and opinions. Be diplomatic, and avoid profanity, but don’t be afraid to hold back. For example, add your emphasis in italics. And if your original voice rambles on with run-on sentences, reconsider!

You must use correct grammar and punctuation or have a copy editor edit your work if grammar and punctuation are not your strong suit. Grammar and punctuation mistakes can make your writing seem unprofessional and sloppy. Always proofread your work. Use an editing aid like Grammarly, ProWriting Aid or Ginger to help you. This will help ensure correct grammar and punctuation and that your writing is clear and professional, and it will save you money when it’s time to hire an editor.

Use visuals when relevant and possible. For example, visuals such as charts, graphs, diagrams, sketches and photographs can help make your writing more engaging and easier to understand. Using visuals can also help break up long blocks of text and make your writing more visually appealing.

Finally, it is crucial to be consistent with your writing style. Make sure you use the same tone and style throughout your writing, and consider using The Chicago Manual of Style as a style guide to keep you consistent. This will also help ensure that your writing is clear and professional.

Writing with clarity, professionalism, and a unique sense of style is crucial in any profession. Understand the purpose of your writing, consider your audience, use active voice, short sentences and simple language. Also, be aware of the tone of your writing and its phrasing, and use correct grammar, punctuation, visuals and a consistent tone and style that incorporates your unique voice. If you do this, you can ensure that your writing is clear, professional, and reflects your own sense of style.

If you need a copy editor or proofreader for your work, consider Bodacious Copy!

Ten Twitter Marketing Tips for Authors

Ten Twitter Marketing Tips for Authors

Twitter is a fantastic tool for authors to connect with their readers, promote their books, and build a loyal fan base. With 396.5 million monthly active users as of February 2023, Twitter is one of the world’s most popular social media platforms. So, if you’re an author and you’re not already using Twitter to market and sell your books, you’re missing out!

By following and interacting with people in the book industry (authors, book reviewers, publishers, cover designers, etc.), you can build relationships and gain insights into what readers want in a book. This can help you better target your marketing efforts and increase the chances of readers picking your book up. As a book editor, I have landed several clients because I connected with them on Twitter and discovered many books I enjoyed reading that I wouldn’t have if I wasn’t using Twitter.

Let’s review ten ways authors can use Twitter to market and sell their books.

  1. Build an author brand: Twitter is an excellent platform for building an author brand. By consistently tweeting about your book, your writing process, and other related topics, you can establish yourself as an expert in your genre and attract a following. Use a professional profile picture and header image, and ensure your bio accurately reflects your writing and interests and contains the link to your website or your books where they can be purchased.

  2. Connect with readers and other authors: Twitter is a great place to connect with readers and other authors. Follow other authors in your genre, and engage in conversations with them. Respond to tweets from readers talking about your book or other books in your genre. This can help you build relationships with them, which can lead to more book sales.

  3. Share book-related content: Twitter is a great place to share book-related content. For example, you can share quotes from your book or others, behind-the-scenes photos and videos of your writing process, upcoming signing events, and other interesting tidbits about your book (like where you might have travelled for research). You can also use Twitter to share reviews and testimonials from readers, which can help build excitement and credibility for your book and make readers more likely to buy it.

  4. Use hashtags: Twitter uses hashtags to make it easier for people to find tweets about a specific topic. For example, when you tweet about your book, use relevant hashtags, such as the title or genre it falls under. It will be easier for people to find your tweets and can help you reach a wider audience. You can also use the hashtags #WritingCommunity or #PoetryCommunity to attract members of those Twitter communities.

  5. Connect with literary agents and publishers: Another great thing about Twitter is that it’s a great way to connect with literary agents and publishers. By following agents and publishers in your genre, you can stay updated on what they’re looking for in a book and find out when they are looking for new submissions.

  6. Run giveaways and contests: Twitter is a great place to run giveaways and contests. You can give away copies of your book or offer other prizes, such as a signed bookplate or a Skype/Zoom call with you. This can help you build buzz for your book and attract new readers.

  7. Get more reviews with book swaps: Connect with authors and readers who enjoy the genre of your book(s) and suggest a book swap with them for an honest review on Amazon and Goodreads. It’s easy to send them a Kindle ePub file.

  8. Utilize Twitter Ads: Twitter offers a range of ad options that can be tailored to your specific audience and goals, such as promoted tweets and promoted accounts. These ads can help you reach a wider audience and drive more book sales.

  9. Be consistent: Twitter is a fast-paced platform, and getting lost in the noise is easy. To be effective, you need to be consistent in your tweeting. Tweet regularly, at least a few times a day (if you can), and make sure your tweets are interesting and engaging.

  10. Consider hiring Bodacious Copy: Christine Bode of Bodacious Copy can assist you with a customized, strategic Twitter marketing plan, writing content, and helping you to manage your account and grow your following.

In conclusion, Twitter is a powerful tool for authors to market and sell their books. By connecting with readers, building a community, promoting your book, connecting with the book industry, using hashtags, running giveaways and contests, being consistent, and hiring a professional like Bodacious Copy to help you, Twitter can help you to market your books to the best audience for them, and put you on the path to the next level of your writing career. So, start tweeting and talking to people, and watch your book sales increase!

Writers Save Money by Understanding the Different Types of Editing

Editing Tips

My dear fellow writers, before you hire a copyeditor, ensure that you understand the different types of editing, as knowing the difference will save you money! I can’t tell you how often a writer has submitted a manuscript to Publish and Promote, the company I work for or to me at Bodacious Copy, thinking all they needed was proofreading. They were given a quote based on proofreading, and then when I received the work, I realized it required line editing, which is far more involved, takes an editor longer, and costs more. No one likes to be surprised by a substantial increase in their invoice.

Editing is an essential step in the book publishing process. It ensures that the manuscript is clear, coherent, and error-free and meets the publishing industry’s standards. In other words, editing focuses on the meaning of your content, and copyediting focuses on the technical quality. However, a book may go through several different types of editing, each with its specific focus and purpose.

The first type of editing is developmental editing. This type of editing focuses on the overall structure and content of the manuscript. The developmental editor works with the author to identify and fix plot holes, inconsistencies, and other issues that may weaken the overall story. For example, suppose you’re writing a nonfiction book. In that case, a dev edit will help you to structure your outline and introduction, develop your chapter titles and subtitles, and ensure you stay on point as you explain and prove your key points before writing your summary. This type of editing is typically done before the manuscript is submitted for consideration by agents or publishers.

The second type of editing is copyediting. Copyediting focuses on the mechanics of the manuscript, such as grammar, punctuation, and style. In addition, the copyeditor checks for errors and inconsistencies and ensures that the manuscript conforms to the guidelines set by the publisher or industry standards. Copyediting is typically done after the manuscript is accepted by an agent or publisher or once a self-publishing author completes it to their satisfaction.

The third type of editing is line editing. This is what I do best. This type of editing is a combination of developmental and copyediting. The line editor focuses on the content and mechanics of the manuscript. They will work with the author to polish the manuscript and make it the best it can be. Line editing is typically done after the manuscript has been accepted by an agent or publisher or once a self-publishing author has completed writing their book before publishing it.

The fourth type of editing is proofreading. This type of editing is the final step in the editing process. The proofreader checks the manuscript for any remaining errors or inconsistencies. If applicable, they may also check that the manuscript is formatted correctly and meets the publisher’s guidelines.

In addition to these four main types of editing, several specialized types may be used for specific books. For example, technical editing is used for nonfiction books that contain specialized or technical information. This type of editing ensures that the information is accurate and easy to understand. Likewise, medical editing is used for medical books, such as textbooks or patient guides. This type of editing ensures that the information is accurate and up-to-date.

In conclusion, editing is an essential step in the book publishing process. It ensures that the manuscript is clear, coherent, and error-free and meets the standards of the publishing industry or simply becomes the best manuscript it can be before you self-publish. There are several different types of editing that a book may go through, each with its own specific focus and purpose. Developmental editing, copyediting, line editing, and proofreading are the four main types of editing, while specialized types of editing, such as technical editing and medical editing, may also be used for specific kinds of books. Knowing the difference in editing types before hiring a copy editor will save you money.