Episode 04

Blake Atwood

Being Objective About Your Writing

Blake is a freelance editor, writer, and educator. He is the author of Don't Fear The Reaper: Why Every Author Needs an Editor. He is also the host of the All Apprentices Podcast.
Blake is a freelance editor, writer, and educator. He is the author of Don't Fear The Reaper: Why Every Author Needs an Editor. He is also the host of the All Apprentices Podcast.
00:00 47:32

Show Notes:04. Blake Atwood—Improve Your Self-Editing: Why Every Writer Needs An Editor

Blake Atwood joins me to talk self-editing and why every writer needs an editor. We spend time discussing the stages of the editing process and tips you can use to be more objective in editing your own writing. You’ll enjoy Blake’s honesty and willingness to serve writers with his own blog, podcast, conferences, and advice.

“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” ― Ernest Hemingway, The Wild Years

When I first started writing, I had no idea how important editing was to the process. Most people imagine that writers are so skilled with words and ideas that books flow naturally from their pens. The truth is, all writing is revising. And a good editor is a writer’s greatest gift.

Blake offers advice not just on the importance of an editor’s role but also ways you can improve self-editing. We also discuss ways to find editing support without breaking the bank. Blake’s advice is well practiced and immediately practical. All will benefit from his expertise.

“Even if I knew nothing would emerge from this book I would still write it.” — John Steinbeck on East of Eden

  • We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
  • Taco Tuesday. Yes, that is cheese sauce she is covered in. Who doesn’t like queso.
  • Well, it’s been a long season with lots of ups and downs, but I finally walked away the champion. Though my wife continues to remind me that it’s all pretend, this trophy is very real.
  • Need just a little more snow, or weight. #christmassledding
  • Our local county paper featured The 5 Masculine Instincts this week. I’m so grateful to Leah Greenwood for a wonderful article.
  • Cold nights mean blankets.
  • Link in bio. It's the season of giving and we all know how hard it can be to buy gifts for men. This season, give the men in your life a gift to help them grow into better men. The 5 Masculine Instincts is great for husbands, sons, and grandsons and best of all, it fits perfectly into those fireplace stockings.

Even better, today, Moody is offering the book at 50% off! You can buy the book anywhere you shop for books.
  • Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
  • This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
We saw a lot of ducks and only got the chance to shoot at a few, but another great day outdoors. Special thanks to @rwakie for a great day hunting.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Taco Tuesday. Yes, that is cheese sauce she is covered in. Who doesn’t like queso.
Taco Tuesday. Yes, that is cheese sauce she is covered in. Who doesn’t like queso.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Well, it’s been a long season with lots of ups and downs, but I finally walked away the champion. Though my wife continues to remind me that it’s all pretend, this trophy is very real.
Well, it’s been a long season with lots of ups and downs, but I finally walked away the champion. Though my wife continues to remind me that it’s all pretend, this trophy is very real.
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
Need just a little more snow, or weight. #christmassledding
Need just a little more snow, or weight. #christmassledding
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Our local county paper featured The 5 Masculine Instincts this week. I’m so grateful to Leah Greenwood for a wonderful article.
Our local county paper featured The 5 Masculine Instincts this week. I’m so grateful to Leah Greenwood for a wonderful article.
Our local county paper featured The 5 Masculine Instincts this week. I’m so grateful to Leah Greenwood for a wonderful article.
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Cold nights mean blankets.
Cold nights mean blankets.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Link in bio. It's the season of giving and we all know how hard it can be to buy gifts for men. This season, give the men in your life a gift to help them grow into better men. The 5 Masculine Instincts is great for husbands, sons, and grandsons and best of all, it fits perfectly into those fireplace stockings.

Even better, today, Moody is offering the book at 50% off! You can buy the book anywhere you shop for books.
Link in bio. It's the season of giving and we all know how hard it can be to buy gifts for men. This season, give the men in your life a gift to help them grow into better men. The 5 Masculine Instincts is great for husbands, sons, and grandsons and best of all, it fits perfectly into those fireplace stockings. Even better, today, Moody is offering the book at 50% off! You can buy the book anywhere you shop for books.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
Snow, ice, and minus zero wind chill but we got the job done and had some great dog work. South Dakota pheasant hunting is hard to beat.
4 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
This week, I had the chance to spend a few days at the C4 ranch just out side of Coronado. The ranch is owned by a veterans organization that provides retreats and workshops for Navy Seal operators and their families. The ranch is ran by the Keatings, a gold star family, whose Navy Seal son Charles Humphrey Keating IV was killed in Iraq. This Veterans Day I’m grateful again for those who have sacrificed, including so many families. Thank you.
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/9

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