When writing from close points of view, particularly first-person narration, it’s important to distinguish (in the author’s head) the differences between conscious motions and unconscious or involuntary movements.

An individual’s perspective is the result of a combination of factors: personal experience, age, knowledge and education, cultural expectations, and mood. Consider the solar eclipse.

It was Groundhog Day last week. I don’t have any editing stories about groundhogs, but I do want to talk about an arguably verminous aspect of writing: weasel words and waffling. Haven’t heard of these terms? Read on to find out.

This is January in Ottawa. It’s snowy. It's cold. Yes, we make jokes about the weather hurting our faces, but it could definitely be worse. Look: it was sunny today!

Have you made any writing resolutions or goals this year? This is the perfect time to book your editing!

Get a jump on your holiday releases! Between now and September 9th, firm bookings will be discounted 15% off standard rates.

Did you hear? As of August 2023, Bright Owl Edits is offering manuscript evaluations. Not everyone knows what that is, so here’s a quick explanation.

May the white page never scare you.

may your pen or keyboard flow …

I don’t bake.

I should qualify this. It’s not so much that I can’t bake, as much as I choose not to. I don’t enjoy it, and will usually avoid the exercise. I enjoy cooking, and flatter myself that I’m pretty good at it. I excel at identifying ingredients and have good instincts for pairings and combinations. I am constantly adjusting dishes, tasting and smelling and figuring out ways to improve the results.

That’s not how baking works.

I hope that your book gets wrecked.

I hope that the wonderful, pristine object that you are so proud of, becomes tattered and stained.

I hope that the spine gets cracked from being opened over and over …

What do editors do in their spare time? Read, of course!

Yes, I read a lot for work, but I still love to wind down and relax with a book. Here’s what I’ve read (recreationally) in the last year or so.

My little boy is standing in his room in his shark pajamas, crying for me in the dark. His calls of “Mamaaaa!” woke me and brought me to his side. Kneeling down to wrap my arms around him, I can feel the wet tear tracks on his cheek.

For a lot of people, updating their resumé one of those chores that only gets done when it’s absolutely necessary; specifically, when they’re applying for a new job, or their current employer is re-working the company website and asks for their blurb. Procrastinators of the world, unite! Tomorrow.

BUT, did you know that the best time to update or re-work it is when you don’t have a pressing need? Here are the reasons why:

Should you lose your bearings in the woods, just bear east, past the burial ground, and you will soon arrive at the berry patch. This time of year, the shrubs bear delicious berries. But beware:

Welcome to the blog portion of Bright Owl Edits. This post serves as an introduction to the blog.