Reader,
When I sat down to write this newsletter, I planned to write a brief information piece about text breaks. I ended up writing 650 words! That’s too long for an email, so I put it in a blog instead. Here is an excerpt:
Text breaks are a simple yet often misused technique that can change the reader’s experience of your writing. Whether you compose fiction or narrative nonfiction, you will want to master this technique.
For example, when much time has passed, characters have changed location, or you want to show another character’s POV, you often need to convey that to the reader. You could fill the gap with words. Or you may opt to use a text break.
Adding a break effects the reader experience in three main ways:
- Emphasis. When you insert a break, you will notice that the resulting pause adds emphasis to the either last line before the break or the first line after the break, and sometimes both.
- Drama. This added emphasis increases the drama of the scene. The pause ratchets up the tension a notch as the reader anticipates what is to come.
- Pacing. Text breaks can also help you control the pacing. If you want readers to speed through an action scene, you don’t want to interrupt the action with text break. It’s unlikely you would have a change in POV or long time lapse here, so no text break is warranted. However, if you have concluded a chase scene and your characters are now hiding out behind the barn, you may wish to give your readers a chance to catch their breaths. A text break will do that for you.
New AI Policy Posted
If you’ve been following along with this newsletter for the past year, you’ll know I’ve been somewhat reluctantly involved in several panels discussing how editors can use AI responsibly.
One of the upshots of that work was the realization that I needed a formal AI policy, for myself and to share with clients. I now have one. You can read my Statement on AI Use on my website.
Those who use my editorial services will also discover a new section in my editing and coaching agreements. Grappling with AI is like grappling with an octopus. You have to be nimble. As with all things AI, this policy is subject to change.
If you would like to get clear about how you feel about AI and how you will or won’t use it, I recommend taking the Poynter Institute’s free AI training.
FoundersOutlook Interview
My interview with FoundersOutlook is now live and available on YouTube and Spotify. This 15-minute podcast is chock-full of insightful questions about running a business, writing a novel, and publishing my husband’s book.
Host Juliet Ochu did not share her questions in advance, and she gracefully edited out each time I marveled, “That’s a great question.”
Watch the podcast:
Upcoming Events
People’s Book Local Author Bazaar
Sunday, June 14, 2026, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Takoma Park, MD. Hop On Publishing will have a table at the People’s Book Local Author Bazaar! Chris Pickett, author of The People United, and I will be signing books. If you live in the DMV area, please come out to Takoma Park and enjoy a fun day of books and community.
Kensington Farmer’s Market
Saturday, June 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.Kensington, MD. With warm thanks to Kensington Row Book Shop, I will be joining another local author at a table at the Kensington Farmer’s Market. I will have copies of Debra Lee Won’t Break and Perfect Bound on-site. Please stop by if you’re in the neighborhood.
From the Blog: Writing in Challenging Times
This blog post continues to give me courage as we face an onslaught of bad news each day.
With changes coming fast and furious, my mind can barely process one new reality before it’s hit with the next one.
But there are actions we can take to reclaim our writing lives. Are you ready to overcome the paralysis?
Happy Writing!
Katherine
