Penny Carroll

Writer & Editor

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  • Author interviews

    “Don’t wait for the perfect conditions” – Clare Fletcher on building writing momentum

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    There’s an iconic scene in Clare Fletcher’s debut novel Five Bush Weddings involving a steamy kiss and a thud as a meat pie drops to the ground, all but forgotten in the heat of the moment.  This hot/sweet/funny scene characterises Clare’s book, a rural rom-com that shakes off stereotypes to reveal a glimpse of modern […]

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  • Editing, How-to, Writing

    No words ever wasted: Why writing to rewrite isn’t a waste of time

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    Worried that all that writing is going to eventually end up in the bin? Here’s why your words are never wasted, even if they don’t make the final cut.

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  • Author interviews, Editing, Writing

    “I like to make people laugh, but I also want to make them feel” – Karina May on writing rom-coms, travelling for inspiration and dirty first drafts

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    Debut author Karina May was born to write rom-coms. She’s the kind of funny that leaves you gasping for air, and her sharp observations have a way of injecting life into tired romance tropes. Karina’s first novel, Under the Influence, will be released on 1 September under the HarperCollins imprint Escape. It follows banker Louise Lane […]

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  • Editing, Proofreading, Writing

    Why every dream team needs an editor

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    Even if you aced English at high school or routinely correct your best friend’s bad spelling, enlisting the help of an editor is a smart idea. Here’s a few reasons I reckon it’s worth the investment…

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  • How-to, Writing

    How to boss the blank page

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    If you’ve ever stared at a fresh Word document, the cursor blinking expectantly while you searched desperately for an opening sentence that didn’t make you nauseous, you’ll understand the true terror of a blank page. Here’s the techniques I use to show writer’s block who’s boss…

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  • Editing, Proofreading

    10 rules for proofreading your own work

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    Ever wondered why it’s so hard to spot mistakes in your own work? No, you don’t need glasses – your brain is wired to skip over errors. If quality control is important to you but you don’t have the budget for professional help, deploy these strategies before you hit print. 1 Run a spellcheck… Forgive […]

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Hi there!
Hi there!

I'm Penny, a writer and editor. On this blog I share writing tips, editing advice and interviews with authors to get you inspired. Read more

 
Recent Posts
  • Breaking up is hard to do
  • Diane Hester is reshaping the past with fiction
  • How to make your dialogue shine
  • Trust issues: Why trusting your reader is vital for strong storytelling
  • Tips for using expletives in fiction
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  • Editing
  • How-to
  • Proofreading
  • Writing

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Free writing and editing resources? In this econom Free writing and editing resources? In this economy? You know it! Head to my website (link you know where) for three handy downloads you can access entirely free, plus a heap of how-to guides to bookmark 📚🤓 PS What resources should I add to my library next? Let me know in the comments👇 #editing #freebies
Just leaving this here: a quick guide to my curren Just leaving this here: a quick guide to my current services 📚 DM me or head to my website for more info, availability and pricing, or to book a free sample edit ✨#editing
New release alert! 🎉 My wonderful client @hester_d New release alert! 🎉 My wonderful client @hester_diane’s latest thriller The Fortress of Us is now available on Amazon and Kobo. To celebrate, I chatted with Diane about the incredible true story that inspired The Fortress of Us, the power of fiction to help us understand ourselves and others better, and how her background as a professional violinist informs her writing process. It’s a great read — grab a cuppa and follow the link in my bio, and while you’re at it, check out The Fortress of Us, a propulsive suspense story about four shattered souls who unite to save a child 🏡 #thriller #writingadvice
If you’re a writer you’re probably pretty okay wit If you’re a writer you’re probably pretty okay with listening to the voices in your head. But if you’re not sure how to deepen your story or figure out your character’s motivations I’m going to suggest taking it a step further and having a conversation with your cast. You’ll play both interviewer and interviewee, writing your character’s responses in their voice, and yes it’s a bit weird. But if you’re open to it, I think it’s a great way to unlock deeper themes and layers in your story and characters. Keen? Head to my website for a freebie designed to help you get a bit woo-woo with your work ✨ And if you’ve tried it, let me know below! Did it work for you?

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