Category Archives: amediting

POV matters… it does

Posted on April 21, 2020 by Mark Hayes

One of the writing issues we encounter most in the manuscripts we receive here at Sixth Element is POV (point of view). Whether from new writers or some of the most experienced published authors, it doesn’t matter… POV is still … Continue reading →

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Why Your Day Job could be Good for Your Creativity

Posted on April 13, 2020 by Mark Hayes

We’re all familiar with the dilemma. “I’ve just had this great idea and I want to write it down immediately, but I’m stuck at work right now.” If you’re anything like me, when you think about your day job in … Continue reading →

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Harvey Live, podcasts, and the writers list

Posted on April 7, 2020 by Mark Hayes

I’ve been involved in a  couple of on line things to do with writing in the last few days. First there was the Harvey Duckman writers on-line get together  and broadcast as part of Scarborough scifi on-line (which replaced the … Continue reading →

Posted in amediting, amreading, amwriting, editing, fiction, goodreads, Hannibal Smyth, Harvey Duckman, indie, indie novels, indie writers, IndieApril, indiewriter, publication, reads, sci-fi, self-publishing, steampunk, Uncategorized, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Choosing Names for Your Characters

Posted on April 6, 2020 by Mark Hayes

One of the most important decisions you can make about a character is their name. Whether it’s their first, middle, or last name, it imbues your character with the very essence of who they are. There are so many names … Continue reading →

Posted in amediting, amreading, amwriting, books, Canadian steampunk, fantasy, fiction, goodreads, indie, indie novels, indie writers, IndieApril, novels, opinion, reads, steampunk, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Quotes for 2020 #41

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Mark Hayes

An on going series of a quote a day from those most worthy of individuals, writers…  Disclaimer: Not all quotes are meant to inspire… Not all comments I make upon them are entirely honest either, occasionally Hannibal writes them… Today … Continue reading →

Posted in 2020 quotes, amediting, amreading, books, mental-health, quotes, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Making it pretty, and other vanities…

Posted on February 18, 2020 by Mark Hayes

I really enjoy typesetting. There is something cathartic about it. For months I have been slaving away with first drafts, second drafts , third drafts , edits, redrafts, more edits, post editor editing, revisions… All fun stuff I assure you. … Continue reading →

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Quotes for 2020 #40

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Mark Hayes

An on going series of a quote a day from those most worthy of individuals, writers…  Disclaimer: Not all quotes are meant to inspire… Not all comments I make upon them are entirely honest either, occasionally Hannibal writes them… As … Continue reading →

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The great cover debate…

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Mark Hayes

One of the problems with self-publishing is that the writer exists in a microcosmic world. Unlike more traditional routes where many decisions are taken for you and to a degree a certain amount of the weight is taken form your … Continue reading →

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Occasional self promotion… Maybe…

Posted on January 3, 2020 by Mark Hayes

2020 is hopefully going to be a big year for me, I say more in hope than expectation but if you can’t back yourself who will? Among other things I turn fifty on the ides of march. So I will … Continue reading →

Posted in amediting, books, fantasy, fiction, goodnews, goodreads, Hannibal Smyth, indie, indie novels, indie writers, indiewriter, novels, Passing Place, pointless things of wonderfulness, sci-fi, steampunk, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NaNoWriMo: planning for the writing fest

Posted on October 17, 2019 by Mark Hayes

‘Its the most wonderful time of the year…’ No not the one in December… NaNoWriMo is almost upon us, and if you are planning to participate this year, you may be plotting already, even if your plotting to take the … Continue reading →

Posted in amediting, amwriting, indie, indie novels, indie writers, indieoctober, indiewriter, nanowrimo, novels, pointless things of wonderfulness, writes, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment