Tuesday, October 1, 2013

A Ninja, A Ghost and A Freelance Editor



The writer sat at his computer eager to embark on his novel. A sudden wave of thirst swept over him, so he decided to go downstairs for a glass of water. He spotted a hummingbird at the kitchen window. He glanced up to see another hummingbird next to it. He wondered if there was a nest outside, and had to get a closer look. The writer quickly slipped on his shoes before stepping out on the patio. He reached in his pocket to snap a shot with his cell phone, when he realized it was still in the house. Then he saw that the wind had blown the backdoor shut, so he reached into another pocket for the key. How could his key and cell phone both be missing from his coat pockets? Then he saw his reflection in the patio door window. The writer was locked out of his house wearing only his bathrobe in the middle of the afternoon. Oh well, he would just have to hide in the bushes for a few hours until his wife came home from work. If only the skunk hadn't gotten there first....

This is where our friend Nick Wilford,  Freelance Editor comes in. He could turn any stinky story into a rose.



With the unstoppable rise of self-publishing, it’s easier than ever to put your words and stories out there in the world. This is a great thing, and I’m all for it. However, it’s not just about the story - although of course, that is the most important part - but the way it’s presented. After spending months or years on a novel, building an incredible world and honing your characters and storylines to perfection, the last thing you want is to be let down by a lack of editing. It’s just as important as an arresting cover image.

Nick Wilford, Freelance Editor is a one-stop shop for affordable editing, proofreading and formatting services. With professional training and ten years of experience as a journalist and editor, the time has come to transfer these skills in order to help out the fellow authors I have come to love.

But it doesn’t stop there. I’m ready to edit anything; from a crucial term paper, to memoirs and other non-fiction books, short stories, articles or job application letters. Let me put that finishing touch on your masterpiece.

Feel free to take a look at my  website  for further details of my services and prices.


   
Nick Wilford is a writer, freelance editor and stay-at-home dad. Fascinated by words from a young age, he trained as a journalist before embracing the calling of fiction. When not writing he can usually be found spending time with his family or cleaning something. He has four short stories published in Writer’s Muse magazine. Nick is also co-running a campaign to get a dedicated specialist college built in Scotland.  
                             
Links

Blog

Another friend and IWSG member Julie Flanders is about to come out with her second book in a year. Not only would Julie have motivated this character to focus on his writing, but after reading The Ghosts of Aquinnah, he would have been too terrified to venture outside his home.

                         


A brilliant flash of light transcends through time.

Another freezes a cloaked figure within a frame of salty mist as waves crash against a rocky shore. Her harrowing expression shadows the beacon to a pinprick.

By the next blaze, she is gone. Only the lighthouse remains.

Hannah’s eyes blink in step with each heartbeat. Images of her deceased parents and Martha’s Vineyard explode like firecrackers inside her mind.

She shakes her head.

For weeks this eerie woman dressed in nineteenth century garb has been haunting my webcam, but tonight she stared into my soul.

Why? ...

Who is she? ...

Casting aside months of research on historic lighthouses, Hannah drives to the coast and boards a ferry.

What is the strange connection she has to this mysterious woman suspended in time?

Hannah finds out.

But, it’s not at all what she expects ...

Hannah unravels a century old murder.

The Ghosts of Aquinnah
will be released by Ink Smith Publishing
on December 5, 2013


Julie Flanders is a novelist and freelance writer in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has a life-long love affair with the ocean and has spent more summer vacations than she can count on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. When not writing, Julie can be found reading, cheering on her favorite sports teams, and watching too much television. She is an animal lover and shares her home with her dog and cat.
                                                                      
                                                          Find Julie at:

Be sure to visit Julie and  Nick. Just think that  Alex J. Cavanaugh  brought us all together to read, write, and fight the war against poor punctuation.


32 comments:

  1. A great post to read, I once wrote a poem about ......a garden pea. I had writers block at the time.
    Yvonne.

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  2. The best of luck to the both of you! What an exciting time in your lives =)

    Elsie

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  3. There is a lot of information in this post. It gives me a little bit of a push to read about the items mentioned. I wrote an Ode to a Wing Nut once. It is now one of my favorites. Thank you Julie

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  4. Hi Julie - so pleased you're promoting Nick - I'm sure he'll be helping quite a few people fairly soon ...

    While Julie's book .. is doing great promotional guns around the blogosphere ..

    Cheers to you all - Hilary

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  5. Congrats to both Nick and Julie!
    Two exciting ventures!

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  6. Thanks so much for sharing my cover and blurb, Julie! And congratulations to Nick. It is amazing and wonderful how this group has brought so many of us together. :)

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  7. Congratulations Nick and Julie!
    The Ghost and the Ninja - sounds like that movie about the killer lions. This Ninja won't eat you though.

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  8. Good luck to Nick and Julie with their new ventures! Love the cover art.

    Your blog title sounds like the beginning of a joke. "A Ninja, A Ghost and A Freelance Editor walk into a bar ....."

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  9. Thanks for the great intro, Julie! I for one was gripped. :)

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  10. The more I read on writer sites the more convinced I become that paying for good editing is a sound investment. Good to have another name...

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  11. This is a wonderful post for all writers. Thank you.

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  12. I may just look into that self-publishing thing.
    IF I ever get my book finished.

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    Replies
    1. Al - You will definitely finish your latest book. It promises to be as funny and heartwarming as both of your other stories.

      Julie

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  13. Yvonne - You should post your poem again!

    Elsie - I agree that this is a very exciting time for Julie and Nick!

    Yvonne - I would also like to see Ode To A Wing Nut! I'm glad that you'll be visiting Julie and Nick!

    Hilary - I agree that Julie's book and Nick's freelance business will both help people forget their troubles.

    Michelle - Right you are! Congrats on the new IWSG website!

    Julie - Congrats on a captivating cover, as well as a suspenseful blurb! The IWSG does work wonders!

    Alex - Love the new IWSG website! Thanks for all you do, and we're grateful that you're not a ninja cannibal!

    Stephen - I wish that I could come up with a great punch line!

    Nick - Yes, I will probably need to keep you on retainer! This is such a great idea, and you have all of the skills and patience to help us reach our goals!

    Robin - I agree that good editing is a "sound investment!" Thanks Robin!

    Many thanks JJ!

    Julie

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  14. LOL - I didn't think your story was stinky. I laughed. Congrats to Nick and Julie. I finally joined the IWSG this week.

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  15. Good to see Julie all over the place today!

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  16. Rhonda - What makes you think that I wasn't talking about the skunk?! Thanks Rhonda, and welcome to the IWSG!

    Jamie - This has been a great week for Julie!

    Julie

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  17. Wonderful intro to Nick, Julie! Very entertaining and fun.

    And love the highlight with Julie Flanders. I love seeing people living their dream. It's such a beautiful thing to watch!

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  18. Congrats to both Nick and Julie! Loved the intro (sounds like one of my days)

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  19. Julie Flanders is on a roll. I'm excited for her. I've filed Nick's name in my brain for future consideration. I will need the help, hopefully fairly soon.

    Be well, Julie.
    xoRobyn

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  20. Giggle :)
    I loved your stinky story!

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  21. What a situation for that writer. I've never seen any skunks where I live but I've smelled them. I guess skunks even live in L.A.

    Lee
    A Faraway View

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  22. Morgan - I'm also thrilled for Julie and Nick! Thanks Morgan!

    Siv - Hopefully, those days are behind you! Thanks Siv!

    Robyn - It should give you peace of mind knowing that Nick's here to help. I can't wait for your book to come out Robyn!

    I really appreciate it Carol!

    Lee - Sometimes it may not be skunk you're smelling.especially in L.A.!

    Julie

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  23. Great support for both Nick and Julie. Having recently read a number of Kindle books that could have done with a good editor, I am very appreciative of skills like Nick's!

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    Replies
    1. Val - We are fortunate to know that Nick is only a click away! Thanks Val!

      Julie

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  24. Best intro goes to you. :))

    And congrats to Julie and Nick. Wishing them both much success with their projects.

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  25. Luanne - I'm sure that Nick could spend hours editing my long winded paragraph! Thanks for coming over when I know you have your hands full with your family. Hope everyone is doing okay.

    Julie

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  26. Wow, this post is a full as an over-stuffed pinata, and we don't even have to whack it with a stick to get at the goodies. Good stuff, all the way around. Thanks for doing so much to help promote other writers, Julie P.

    I can hardly wait to read Julie F's book. (Um, YOURS, too. Ms. P... just as soon as you write it!)

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  27. Forgive me! I'm running so far behind trying to keep up that I think the rest of the runners are probably at home sleeping.

    Your skunk's got funk. And so nice to see all the familiar faces featured on your superb site, Julie.

    Gary :)

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  28. Susan - Julie F will probably churn out three more books by the time Julie P publishes her first! Thanks Susan S!

    Gary - I'm always running behind too, so no need to apologize. It was great featuring Julie and Nick as they have so much to offer. Thanks Gary!

    Julie

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