This is K.M. Island.

and you're listening to the 160-7th episode of the wordplay podcast.

I think only a writer would find herself ridiculously and smugly happy to have caught

typos even the professional proof-reader missed.

But then, of course, only a writer would be looking for those typos.

This week, I started in on the first of the last two proofs of Dreamlander.

On the one hand, it's super exciting to be this close to finishing.

At this point I've read the manuscript over so many times that my eyes are practically

crossing at just the thought of it, but on the other hand it's also a bit sad. I've lived

with this book for something like 11 years and we've had quite the intensive relationship

for the last year in particular.

And now we're nearing the end.

Why the adverb isn't as dead as Mark Twain would like.

The latest post in the video series on my blog points out three reasons writers need to be even more dedicated in stamping out the dreaded adverb.

To watch it, visit my blog at Wordplay-K-M-yland that's W-E-I-L-A-N-D dot blog spot

dot com new videos are posted every Wednesday.

And now I hope you enjoyed this week's podcast.

Why Story Beginnings and Endings must be linked.

The ending of your story is a long way away from the beginning.

300 pages or 100,000 words is an extraordinary journey.

Contemplating the ending from the vantage point of the beginning is like looking up at the top of Mount Everest and imagining yourself in all your windblown frostbitten glory

standing up there with your hands on your hips and your foot propped on a rock.

...