Hello Reader!
I hope everyone in the U.S. impacted by last week's big snowstorm is doing ok. If your power was knocked out hopefully it has been brought back by now! Here we were lucky enough not to have power troubles—just about 18 inches of snow! And temperatures that make me glad I can work from home and not go out much. I don't knw about you, but I've been keeping busy and trying to ignore the cold as much as I can.
Saturday, January 17 I (virtually) attended the Independent Publishers of New England 2025 Book Awards. We weren't allowed to say anything before the awards were announced, but I can now say that I was one of the 2025 judges. It was a great experience, and I'm already looking into more to do with IPNE. If you're interested in finding out about independent publishing for your book, they are a great resource to consider!
Two new projects have landed on my desk, both very different from my usual types. I'm starting a dev. edit for a middle grade magical realism book whose plot really spoke to me. And for something totally different, I'm dipping back into the museum world to write archival procedures for an old boss of mine and his new museum. I used to do that all the time, so it will be interesting to see how fast it comes back to me!
I'm hoping to keep up the momentum in February and March. After all, February is a great time to celebrate the wonderful world of romance books—and I'll be celebrating with a sale for romance authors. Don't feel left out mystery writers! March is your month! After all, don't we still remember the Ides of March as one of the most famous murders of all times? Do you have favorite romance/mystery titles or authors? What do you recommend I read?
🎉Romantic February Sale🎉
Have your thoughts turned to romance & Valentine's Day chocolates yet? February is a month to celebrate romance writers! And what better way than with a sale? All February long, romance writers get 20% off my editing & coaching services. And my newsletter readers get an extra 5% off!
Contact me & let's ferret out your best ideas together!
Editing Insights Club
Welcome to the Editing Insights Club! Here I'll introduce you to editors and other professionals from all over the publishing world. You'll see we're all here as part of the community that supports writers in their journey to success.
Meet: Judy L. Mohr
Developmental Editor
judylmohr.com
Q: What type of content do you edit?
A: I'm a developmental editor. This means that I see manuscripts in the early stages of development, BEFORE a copyeditor gets their hands on the story. For some of my clients, I am working on something that is still in the conceptual stage, helping them to piece together what scenes need to be included. For some clients, I'm guiding them as they develop their writing voice and learn their craft.
But in all cases, I'm helping a writer gain confidence in their story, knowing that they are telling the story that they want to tell.
In terms of genre, I prefer working with thrillers, sci-fi, and fantasy. I'll consider a romance if it's a cross-genre romance, but I will always lean heavily into action-based stories. And the grittier the more excited I get. (I'm not sure what that says about me as a person.)
Q: What's your favorite thing about your work?
A: My favorite part of working with clients is seeing that "lightbulb" moment, as something clicks in their head. It might have been a plot point that has been driving them batty, and I'm able to shine the light on the path ahead. Or it might be a writing technique that has been confusing them, and I'm able to help them see how that technique or concept would work in their own writing—teaching them how to actually do it themselves.
And sometimes, it's just the simple fact that a client has found the confidence to claim the title of "writer". All of it brings a smile to my face.
Q: What is one tip you like to share with writers searching for (or working with) an editor?
A: When working with any editor, remember that it's your writing and that your name will be on the cover. Therefore, you have the right to stay true to your vision, regardless of what the editor says.
The editor may be highlighting an issue, but their diagnosis of the problem might be wrong. Only you, as the writer, can make that decision.
But don't just ignore what the editor has to say. They've highlighted an issue. It's your job as the writer to decide what to do about it.
Q: What are some of your favorite things outside of editing?
A: Favorite things outside of editing... and I'm assuming that you also mean outside of writing (beacause I'm a writer too). That's a hard one.
Well, I have taken up pole dancing and having a blast as I try to go upside down... and fail. But oh boy, I'm stronger now than I was 6 months ago. If the zombie apocalypse comes, I know that I'll be able to climb a random pole to get out of their reach. I might need to strip down to my underwear to do it, but at least I can do it. LOL.
But I'm also looking forward to going hiking again come summer (it was winter in New Zealand, which is where I live, when this was written). I couldn't do much walking last summer, because my knees didn't like me, but that is something that the pole dancing has really been helping with. I have knee strength again.
Q: What's a book you're reading for fun right now?
A: I've just finished reading "The Martian Contingency" by Mary Robinette Kowal. It's the fourth book in "The Lady Astronaut" series... and I adore the entire series for its alternate history look of the 1960s and 1970s. And it's awesome storytelling.
I have yet to decide on my next fiction read.
But I also do a lot of reading of nonfiction writing-related books. I'm currently reading "Intuitive Editing" by Tiffany Yates Martin. I've only just started it, so the jury is still out on that one.
What Does Successful Romance Writing Need?
Don't let anyone look down at you because you love to read and write romance. The genre remains incredible popular. Publisher's Marketplace estimates roughly 23-25% of book sales in the U.S. are currently romance. That's billions of dollars a year in the industry. But what does a successful romance book need?
Some people get confused when a book has more than one element. Is it a mystery or is it romance? Look at it this way: is the dominant story you're focusing on the mystery? In that case, you're writing a mystery with romantic elements (think J.D. Robb's In Death series). If the main storyline is the emotional situation between your main characters, then you're writing a romance with mystery elements (think Jayne Ann Kretnz's books). Is it romance or fiction? In that case you not only ask yourself about the main storyline, you also ask yourself: does my book have a happily ever after (HEA) or at least a happy for now (HFN). If the answer is no, you need to market you book as fiction. Romance readers have very specific expectations in that respect and you'll hear about it in the reviews if you don't meet reader expectations!
Your characters and their development are at the heart of your romance story, so make sure to build your plot around them. Let the challenges they face show off their growth and development throughout the book—both as individuals and as a unit. Readers want to see the emotional journey of your characters. They know the ending, they want to see how your characters come together. How do your characters engage with each other? When do challenges become "remember when" moments? When does sniping become banter? When does each character realize they love each other? How does that change their actions? Does it change their actions? And what can you throw in their way that will create challenges before they reach their happily ever after?
My Reading Shelf
If you're looking for a new craft book on writing, look no further than Judy L. Mohr's Antagonistic Beats of a Story. Whether you write romances or thrillers, gaining an understanding of the role of the antagonists and how they drive the action in your story will improve your writing flow. This book is destined to be a go-to for writing workshops, classes, and a classic recommended for writers for years to come! I highly recommend you check it out! (Out Feb 10).
Baird has been in love with Maia since they first met. But she was engaged to someone else. Now she's single, but needs a fiancé for work! Can a fake relationship become real and still survive the microscope of social media as well as their combined pasts? Samantha Young's Hart Street Lane is a friends-to-lovers, fake engagement romance that turns high on heat and swoon-worthy moments when the fake relationship becomes the real deal.
