Recommended reading for anyone trying to self edit!

If you want to edit yourself before sending your short story or novel off to friends, then a literary agent or publisher, I suggest you check this book out. It has been the biggest help to me in making my work actually worth reading!
It covers many topics such as
Show and Tell
Characterisation
POV
Proportion
Dialogue
And much more.

The information is delivered in a matter of fact way and is very easy to follow.
You are set tasks which really help you.
I'm now reading it for the fifth time and I'm still finding areas to improve my work.

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers

See the image below.

What NOT to Do When Beginning Your Novel: Advice from Literary Agents

Here's some information on writing I found interesting. Basically it's literary agents pet peeves on the manuscripts they receive from writers:

http://writerunboxed.com/2013/04/22/april/?et_mid=614266&rid=191146100


I also suggest you read Self-Editing for Fiction Writers which covers all this sort of thing in detail:

Are your eyes failing you?

Once upon a time I was told my eyesight excellent by an optometrist. Far and near objects. I tested this years ago by reading the text on a ten dollar Australian note next to Banjo's head and next to Mary's head. At first it looks like shading, but it is actually text.
Recently I picked up the note to read it and found it blurry. Damn, I says. The next few days every morning I tried to read it again and again, spending 5 mins on it each time. Three days later and I've retrained my eyes to see small print again.
Woohoo!
Can anyone else read it without glasses or other magnifying instrument?

Wheeler Centre for writers

Hi, I've started attending this with my writing group and thought I should let others know about it.
The centre is based in Melbourne, so if you live nearby or are visiting Melbourne you may wish to drop in.
It's free too!

Writer group details: http://www.meetup.com/The-Melbourne-Writers-Meetup-Group/

"Welcome to The Salon, a new monthly event for Melbourne writers. We invite you to come and celebrate your milestones, share details of your current project and delight in conversation with supportive fellow writers.The theme for May is Launches. Our new Director Kate Larsen will launch the Writers Victoria mid-year program. Be the first to see the brilliant short courses and workshops we have lined up."

FREE but bookings ESSENTIAL - You must book through Writers Victoria by clicking on the following website:

http://writersvictoria.org.au/what-s-on/event/the-salon2/

This will not be a Meetup run event. This event is being run by Writers Victoria.

However, we can meet before hand at around 6pm, 15 minutes before it starts. I'll have a sign out on one of the tables on the 3rd floor where the SALON is held.

Afterward, around 7.45-8pm, we head downstairs to The Moat cafe (keep going down the stairs past the Wheeler Centre entrance to find it). I'll book the big table near the door. I will have the meetup sign on the table.

Story First Genre second?

When I write I prefer to let the genre take a back seat to the story.

Why?

For a few different reasons. If you concentrate too much on genre you'll find yourself constrained. And because of that, your story could suffer. Why not let the sky be the limit. Why not write whatever flows from your mind. You can always rein it back it later. At least you've let your imaginative mind search the grey edges of your boundaries.

I know this style of writing does not suit everyone. Many like to plan and know what will happen in the middle of the story and ending. That's fine, but there's still room for you to let yourself go and just see how your characters handle it. Life isn't going to always follow the tracks. Sometimes it gets derailed, so your story should too.