Author Archives: Arlene Prunkl

Arlene Prunkl is a professional freelance editor with over a decade of experience in working with self-publishing authors on both fiction and nonfiction. I will make your words sparkle!

Part II: Steps to becoming a freelance book editor

In March 2015, I wrote a blog post outlining steps to becoming a successful freelance editor. It has been by far my most visited blog page. This is a follow-up post.

Posted in About editing, Miscellaneous musings | 16 Comments

My tribute to self-publishing pioneer Dan Poynter

The world of self-publishing was touched and deeply saddened by news earlier this week of the passing legendary self-publishing pioneer Dan Poynter. Dan passed away on Monday, November 2, 2015, at the age of seventy-seven. Certainly he never seemed nearly his age to anyone who had the good fortune to meet him. Although I posted on Read the full article…

Posted in About editing, Book marketing, Miscellaneous musings | 17 Comments

When editors make (or miss) mistakes . . .

Editors make mistakes? What? How dare I go on record to state such a thing! Right off, let’s get one thing clear: editorial errors are inevitable. If that surprises you, it shouldn’t—we’re only human, after all (I know that’s hard to believe). While many editors are perfectionists, most of us also know perfection is impossible to Read the full article…

Posted in About editing, Grammar and the English language, Miscellaneous musings | 40 Comments

Part I: Steps to becoming a freelance book editor

Usually, my blog posts are directed at fiction writers and editors with tips on how to develop their craft. But in today’s post, I’ll be addressing those people interested in pursuing a freelance editing career. I’ll show you how freelance editing has ultimately provided me with the lifestyle I’d dreamed of for two decades. This Read the full article…

Posted in About editing, Fiction, Grammar and the English language, Miscellaneous musings, Self-publishing | 96 Comments

Characterization in fiction: a 10-point checklist for naming your characters

By Arlene Prunkl, freelance editor A first-time fiction author’s task of assigning names to the characters in his or her novel can be likened to the task of new parents in naming their first-born child. It’s exciting to name your characters—it gives them solid identities that take shape in your mind, hopefully growing and developing into fully rounded, unique Read the full article…

Posted in About editing, Fiction, Miscellaneous musings, Self-publishing | 15 Comments

Characterization in fiction: writing realistic character reactions

By Arlene Prunkl, freelance editor The importance of character in fiction Many of my blog posts on fiction so far have focused on big fiction issues such as plot, point of view, and dialogue. One of fiction’s larger aspects that I haven’t covered in any depth yet is character, and that’s partly because it’s an Read the full article…

Posted in About editing, Fiction, Self-publishing | 7 Comments