Don’t worry if your first draft is messy! I, a writer and freelance fiction editor, just found out that I gave the same first name to two different side characters in my draft. And I didn’t spot it for weeks. First drafts are allowed to be messy. Their role is to exist, not to be perfect 😅

As a writer and editor, it’s my professional opinion that humanity would be in a much better position if more people had reading as a hobby. Seems like a healthier and more enjoyable option than bigotry.

My 9yo made this picture. He asked me to put it on social media ‘so all the grown-ups will see it and will stop climate change’. I’m so proud of how kind, smart and creative he is. I’m also heartbroken that he’s scared of where humanity is heading.

My 5yo has informed me that when he’s older he’s going to get a dog. And he’ll name it Cat.

I feel icky making these posts when the world is even more hellish than usual… But the world needs our stories - now more than ever! If you’re looking for a freelance fiction editor for your story then please check out my website 🙂

No, MS Word. I do not want to change the sentence to: ‘we don’t has any food’. Same for ‘I didn’t means it’. And ‘I don’t wants this’. I’m not writing Gollum fan fiction.

I’m a UK-based writer and editor with a tiny platform. I will continue to post about books, writing and editing because they’re my passion and my livelihood. However, I’m also left-wing and antifascist, and I will not stay quiet about that. And FYI: books are political.

If the phrase ‘money is the root of all evil’ could be summarised in one image… this would be it.

Every country which ends with the word ‘land’:

I’m tired, but the kids are at school and I have a small gap between clients’ edits, so I’m taking a couple of hours for my own writing 🙂

If you’re managing to write with all this *gestures at the world* then I see you, and I’m rooting for you! If you’re not able to write with all this *gestures at the world* then I still see you, and I’m still rooting for you! Your words matter. Even if you’re not able to put them on the page yet.

Hey #WritingCommunity - I know some of you are looking for an editor.

The world: colonialism; capitalism; climate change; wealth inequality; racism; misogyny; homophobia; transphobia; zionism; trumpism… Me: *Raging at humanity’s greed, cruelty and stupidity* Also me: So, erm, would anyone like me to edit their novel? 😅

The core message of dystopian fiction isn’t “oh, wouldn’t it be awful if society was like this?” The core message of dystopian fiction is “society is already like this, and if we don’t change then it will continue, and it will get worse.”

I sometimes wish my creative pursuit would look good on video. Alas, my talent is writing. My ‘watch me write’ videos would show me: - Inhaling coffee - Typing a few words - Swearing - Staring out of the window - Mumbling about magic Not necessarily evenly proportioned. Or in that order.

My kids when it’s bedtime: Why do dogs’ tongues look like ham? How are clouds made? Where was I before I was born? Where do the tooth fairies live? What would happen if Earth split in two? How does electricity work? What is Santa’s phone number? How do crabs pee? What is a soul?

Are you looking for a freelance fiction editor? 🙂 - Trained and CIEP-registered - ALLi partner member - Free sample edits - 10% discount for newsletter subscribers - 10% discount for members of marginalised communities Rates and other info can be found on my website 🙂

*Opening social media* Me: I’m a writer and editor. I should probably talk about books, reading, writing and editing at some point. 30 mins later… *Posts my latest political rant* Me: Well, books are inherently political 🤷‍♀️

Lots of people are quoting 1984, which is apt. However, the book I keep thinking about is Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower. Western society has always been cruel and corrupt. Octavia Butler showed us the true nature of current society, as well as its future. And we’d better fucking listen.

I wrote 3400 words yesterday! 🙂 That’s the highest word count I’ve achieved on my novel in months. Fitting in the writing wherever I can between parenting, my editing business, and running a household 😅

I was going to say Happy 2026, but it doesn’t feel right Instead, I’ll quote Tolkien “Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”

Me with new editing clients: Please note that there may be a delay in my communications during December. Me with long-term clients: As I type this, my sons are bouncing around the house and yelling something about Minecraft. During December I’ll be surviving on caffeine and whispered swear words.

Dr Seuss was wrong about the Grinch. The older I get, the more I realise that the Grinch is, in fact, a middle-aged woman. She was so exhausted from society’s demands and unrealistic expectations that she got a pet and went to live her best fat, hairy, and peaceful life on an isolated mountain.

I vote that empathy and critical thinking should be the trends for 2026.

Does anyone else start twitching every time you see the initials ‘AI’, regardless of the context?

Would you like to join my free newsletter? 🙂 You get: - 10% off my editorial services - My free ‘Common mistakes I see in manuscripts’ checklist - Regular updates on writing and editing life www.clairebentley.co.uk/newsletter

I know I’m biased, but it’s my professional opinion that if people read more books then humanity wouldn’t be in this mess.

If you’re a parent-writer (or a parent!) and you’re drowning in pre-Christmas BS then you might find this blog post useful (or at least cathartic): www.clairebentley.co.uk/post/24-chri...

Actual footage of me trying to finish work projects, personal projects, Xmas prep, life admin, deep-clean the house, attend all the Xmas school events…

My Christmas list is short: 1. Books 2. A world without fascism, bigotry, or inequality

Me: I’m a writer. I’m an editor. I can write words good. I can do this. *Opens ‘novel synopsis’ document* Two hours later…

Claire is wonderful people, if you got something ready for an editor, consider hiring her!

I have one editing slot left in Jan and one in Feb 🙂 - I’m trained, CIEP-registered, and a partner member of ALLi - Free sample edits - Additional discounts for newsletter subscribers and marginalised authors - Prices and other info are on my website Please get in touch if you’re interested! 🙂

Reminder: the world is on fire 🔥 So write the prologue. Write multiple POVs. Write in first person, or third person, or whichever POV you like. Write books that ‘don’t serve God’ (whatever tf that means). Throw in some f-bombs. YOU are your primary reader. Not random people on the internet.

One of my writing dreams just came true! 🥹 Someone emailed me to let me know that my Writers College essay was exactly what she needed and that my writing helped her ❤️ Who’s cutting onions? 😭

It has always felt weird (to me) to talk about books, and writing, and editing when the world is on fire. But then, I wonder if humanity would even be in this position if more people chose reading as their hobby 🥴

I keep accidentally typing ‘Dave the Cat! Writes a Novel’ when putting together recommended reading lists for authors’ editorial reports. I would actually read that.

Apparently, I’m the ‘best mummy in the world’ because I have a ‘squishy, huggable tummy’. On the other hand, my 5yo reminded me that I once forgot it was ‘dress as your favourite character’ day at nursery-school, and he was the only one not dressed up. That was 2 years ago. Parenting is wild.

And now we enter yet another season in which a white man takes credit for the hard work of millions of women.

Don’t be an arsehole. Because - apart from the many other excellent reasons to not be an arsehole - if you act like an arsehole in front of an author, you may end up being slowly and painfully murdered in one of their books 🙂

Are you looking for a freelance fiction editor? - I’m trained, CIEP-registered, and an ALLi partner member - Free sample edits - Discounts for newsletter subscribers & members of marginalised communities - I’m a writer myself! - I love working with authors & helping them make their stories shine ✨

Writer problems: choosing names for your characters that don’t match anyone you know - or used to know - in real life 😅

One kid is ill and off school. The other cried all morning because there’s no Christmas dinner today. (I’m actually with him on this.) So now my tired self is editing a client’s manuscript while looking after a sick child. The exhausting reality of juggling parenting, and editing, and writing 😅

Me: Do that thing I like Husband: *Turns the coffee machine on*

Would you like to sign up for my free newsletter? You get: - 10% off my editorial services - My free ‘common mistakes I see in manuscripts’ checklist - Monthly updates on writing and editing life www.clairebentley.co.uk/newsletter

My husband keeps me caffeinated while I ruin my workplace 🙂 He’s a good egg.

It’s Monday morning, and I’m dutifully ruining my workplace 🙂 I’m self-employed, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out.

Are you looking for a freelance fiction editor? 🙂 - Trained, CIEP-registered, and ALLi partner member - Free sample edits - Discounts for newsletter subscribers and members of marginalised communities Please get in touch if you’re interested 🙂

Racists in the US and UK bleating about Sharia Law. Meanwhile, the New York Times: