Hello, writer friends!

If you’ve stumbled across this post, welcome. You’ve found my cosy corner of the internet where I share tips, advice, and insights for new and seasoned writers alike. Writing can feel like a lonely pursuit at times, but it doesn’t have to be. My aim is to help you grow in confidence, polish your skills, and have a few lightbulb moments along the way.

Let’s dive straight in with today’s topic: Watching Your P’s and Q’s.

Traditionally, this phrase means mind your manners, but for writers it can mean so much more. Here’s my spin on it:

1. P is for Professionalism

Whether you’re querying agents, self-publishing, or simply sharing your work online, professionalism matters.

• Meet deadlines even the ones you set for yourself.
• Respond politely because editors and beta readers are there to help, even if the feedback stings.
• Show respect to the craft, to other writers, and to yourself.

Being professional isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being consistent and showing you take your writing seriously.

2. P is for Precision

Your words are your tools, so keep them sharp. This means:

• Choosing the right word, not just the first one that comes to mind.
• Trimming the fluff from your sentences. (Yes, even that beautiful paragraph you secretly love but doesn’t move the story forward.)
• Understanding grammar and punctuation so you can bend the rules with purpose, not by accident.

3. Q is for Queries

If you are submitting to agents or publishers, your query letter is your first impression. Make it count.

• Keep it short, clear, and engaging.
• Show what makes your story unique, rather than just summarising the plot.
• Proofread it carefully. Nothing undermines a great pitch like sloppy typos.

4. Q is for Questions

Never stop asking them about your story, your characters, and your craft.

• What does my protagonist want right now?
• Does this scene earn its place in the book?
• Could I raise the stakes and make this moment more powerful?

Good writing begins with curiosity.

Your Turn

This week, try this little exercise:
Take a single paragraph from your work-in-progress and cut ten percent of the words without losing meaning. You might be surprised how much tighter and stronger it becomes.

Writing is a journey, and we’re all learning as we go, myself included. I’ll be sharing more posts like this regularly, along with behind-the-scenes updates on my own books, so stick around.

I’d love to know: What do you do to keep your writing polished and professional? Share your thoughts in the comments. You never know who might need to hear your advice today.

And if you haven’t already, do subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss future posts, tips, and news about my upcoming releases.

Until next time, keep writing and keep watching those P’s and Q’s.