Category: Uncategorized

Uncategorized

Ask the Book Doctor – Writing Flashbacks

Q: My question has to do with formatting. Is there a

standard way to insert a flashback? For example, should I

have an extra line space before and after the flashback?

Should I indent the flashback five spaces on both sides?

 

A: Formatting is not the only way to indicate a flashback;

it must also be handled with a narrative transition from

the present to the flashback and from the flashback back to

the present at the end. You can, however, also add a line

space before and after the transition, but do not indent on

both sides, which is a formatting device reserved for long

quotations. Do indent the beginning of each paragraph,

through.

 

What’s your question for Book Doctor Bobbie Christmas? Send

it today to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com.

Uncategorized

Ask the Book Doctor – Dialogue

Q: When I write dialogue, must I make all my characters

speak in contractions? My critique circle members say all

dialogue should use contractions. Aren’t we supposed to

give each character a unique voice? If so, can’t one of my

characters be so prim and proper that she doesn’t speak in

contractions?

 

A: The members of your critique group have the right idea—

natural dialogue does usually rely on contractions, but

creative writing gives a writer a great deal of leeway. You

know your characters best, and if one doesn’t use

contractions, so be it. Don’t let anyone–not even members

of your critique circle–cram a singular opinion down your

throat. Listen to the suggestions of others, thank them,

and then do whatever you want. If, however, an acquisitions

editor asks you to change something to make your piece more

marketable, that’s the time to listen and follow.

 

What’s your question for Book Doctor Bobbie Christmas? Send

it today to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com

Uncategorized

Ask the Book Doctor – Show n Tell

Q: We hear all the time, “Show, don’t tell.” My feeling is

the point is overused. Better might be “Telling is okay,

but it must be interesting and justified, for example,

moving the story along.” What do you say?

A: Everything in creative writing is a matter of

moderation. Back story almost always includes a little

telling, but keep the “telling” to a minimum. Make sure it

involves as many action verbs as possible, and it probably

will be fine.

What’s your question for Book Doctor Bobbie Christmas? Send

it today to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com.

Uncategorized

Ask the Doctor: Copyright and Book Titles

Q: A title I’m considering for my novel is [title removed]. Amazon.com says that title is already in use. Are titles copyrighted?

A: As I understand the law, titles are not eligible for copyrights the way longer works are; however, titles can be trademarked if used to cover more than one item in a series, such as a cluster of seminars based on a book of the same name.

Although you could probably legally use a title that has been used by someone else, consider it an opportunity to change the title and make it different, so people who search your title will find only your book, and not others. It’s your chance to come up with a memorable, unique title with a play on words, alliteration, or rhyme.

Bobbie Christmas, book doctor, author of Write In Style (Union Square Publishing), and owner of Zebra Communications, will answer your questions, too. Send them to Bobbie@zebraeditor.com. Read more “Ask the Book Doctor” questions and answers at www.zebraeditor.com. 

Uncategorized

Self-publishing: Ask the Doctor…

Kelly and I are happy to introduce a new resource to this blog – Bobby Christmas, Book Doctor. Bobby is an editor, ghostwriter, publishing consultant, and owner of Zebra Communications.

Bobby brings extensive general publishing and editing experience to the industry and offers outstanding consulting services to publishing authors. You can check out her book, Writing in Style, on Amazon. Bobby has been running Zebra (based out of Atlanta, GA) as a resource for authors since 1992. 

Bobby will begin to help with weekly posts, beginning tomorrow, from her newsletter titled Ask the Doctor, which offers general author advice in question/answer format.

– Karl