Should you keep working on this manuscript? New writers often arrive at my editorial doorstep with the same burning question: “Is my writing worth developing, or should I trash the […]
Writer’s Doubt: Should you keep working on this manuscript? Read More »
Your characters need progress reports Keeping your characters engaged with the story keeps readers engaged with it, too. Whenever something significant happens in the story, readers expect the characters to
Writing Strategy: The progress report Read More »
Scene structure: Common scene pitfalls The scene structure of goal-driven scenes is akin to the classic joke setup, “A _____ and a _____ walk into a bar …” A _____
Scene Structure: Common Goal-Driven Scene Pitfalls Read More »
Find the perfect editor for your work When you need your sword and shield just to confront the editing process, something’s amiss. A battle for the soul of your story
The Write Chemistry: Find your ideal editor Read More »
The editorial process of writing a novel Whether you’re self-publishing your novel or trying to vault to the head of the slush pile, it’s generally true that commercial-quality books are
What’s involved in editing your novel? Read More »
Scene openings that suck readers in Skillful scene openings involve more than a provocative opening hook. A smooth opening ushers readers into the scene without immersion-breaking confusion or disorientation. The
Skillful scene openings for fiction Read More »
How interiority creates believable characters We’ve all read stories where the characters didn’t seem to be doing what a reasonable person would do in that situation. Heck, they’re not even
Will readers swallow your plot? Read More »
Book coaching vs. editing: What’s the difference? If you’re all about the credo “move fast and break things,” you may feel confident diving from writing into self-revision and then editing.
Book coaching vs. editing: What’s the difference? Read More »
3 action-reaction misfires that ruin your writing Action and reaction—everything in a story depends on what the characters do about whatever the story pits against them. Stiff, disconnected, or missing
3 action-reaction misfires that flatten your writing Read More »
Critique or Editing? What kind of feedback to get and when Should you—could you—be getting feedback on your book from peers or readers, or is it time to get professional
Feedback or Editing: What sort of input to get when Read More »
