Writing Tips
On my Writing Tips Blog I offer writing tips and encouragement as we journey together in our writing ministry. (I blogged previously at Next Step Coaching Services with Amy Carroll.)
I love to partner with writers of all abilities to help make their dreams come true! Find more about this and under the Writing Coaching section of my website.
When you sign up for my Writing Tips Blog, you’ll receive
FREE WITH YOUR NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS
- writing tips on punctuation and grammar
- teaching about organizing and developing your manuscript, no matter what size
- encouragement for the tough days, when you’re doubting your ability and calling
- guidelines for how to use Scripture in your writing
Latest Writing Tips
What’s Your Heart’s Desire?
Hi friends, So many of you are my followers through my Melanie S. Chitwood Writing Tips Blog. Some of you are followers of My Doing the Best I Can Blog. Thank you for following and welcome! Today’s message will be for both of groups. So it’s the new year, when we’re supposed to make new…
SALE on my writing coaching and editing services!
I’ve extended my sale TILL JANUARY 31, 2023! Do you want to gain momentum on your writing project and complete your manuscript? Now is the perfect time to commit to your writing goals, as my writing services are on sale! Sale on Writing Consultation Services For consulting, my sale price is $75/hour (instead of my…
Unexpected Places of Hard Things
Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for being a follower of my Writing Tips Blog and/or my Doing the Best We Can Blog. You haven’t heard from me in a bit. Because you are my friends and followers, I want to be transparent with you. I am in the unexpected hard place of going through a divorce,…
Great Opportunity for Christian Writers and Speakers!
There’s nothing like being with others who get you, who share the same passions, and who love God. That’s why I want you to know about the reNew Spiritual Retreat for Writers and Speakers. This event is happening April 28-20, 2023, at Camp of the Woods, NY. And I’ll be teaching! To check it out…
Should I Address My Reader by Using the Pronoun You or We?
When I’m writing, should I address my reader by using the pronoun “you” or “we?” The answer? Both. Let me explain with an example. Notice in this excerpt from a devotion I wrote that I’ve italicized you pronouns and emboldened we pronouns. ++++++++++++++++ Excerpt from “Do You Think I’m Beautiful?” by Melanie S. Chitwood taken…
Clearing Up Confusion About Quotation Marks and Punctuation
When I am editing, I often see confusion and errors when it comes to where to place punctuation with quotation marks. So let’s look at some rules. 1. Periods and commas always go inside (or before) quotation marks. Correct Example: I often say, “It is what it is.” Not this: I often say, “It is…
Tips for Using Commas Correctly for a Professional Manuscript
I’ve been writing a series of posts about some of the common punctuation mistakes I see in manuscripts when I’m editing. (see these previous posts on punctuation tips and eliminating unnecessary words) Let’s get started on some tips about commas. Introductory Prepositional Phrase An introductory prepositional phrase is a group of words at the beginning…
Four Ways to Eliminate Unnecessary Words When Self-Editing
Concise writing is writing that is to the point and will be easily digested by your reader. Take some time to step away from your draft, and then return to do some self-editing. Here are four ways you can eliminate unnecessary words and create concise writing. Eliminate that The word that is almost always not…