If you’re here because you feel your story isn’t working, you’re not alone. Most writers feel that way about most of the stories they write. The good news is you can probably salvage your current story by troubleshooting a few key areas. One way to learn how to accomplish this is to learn what didn’t work […]
August 1, 2022 by 31 Comments Editing Your Novel13 Rules to Be a Better Beta Reader
Among the greatest gifts one writer can give another is that being a beta reader. A beta reader is a volunteer who reads over a rough manuscript and offers feedback on what’s working and what’s not. This feedback can span the gamut from simply a general reaction to a full-on critique. But not all beta […]
January 24, 2022 by 64 Comments Editing Your NovelThe Writer’s Inner Critic: 11 Ways to Tell if Yours Is Healthy
Ah, the writer’s inner critic. It’s that wily inner editor who has such a way of getting in the last word (and first and middle words) on any writing session or project. Most of the time when writers speak of the inner critic, there’s a fair amount of self-deprecating exaggeration of how ruthless that little […]
July 26, 2021 by 69 Comments Editing Your NovelShould You Edit As You Go?
Should you edit as you go? This is a question just about every writer asks at one point or another. Part of the reason for the prevalence of the question is that the question is in fact complex and contextual. In short, the answer to “should you edit as you go?” isn’t always a simple […]
May 25, 2020 by 44 Comments Editing Your NovelEditing Your Novel Q&A
Editing your novel can bring a host of its own challenges, concerns, and questions. Many of those questions are ultimately the same questions you ask when writing: How to properly structure a story? How to create a strong character arc? How to write a sentence that makes sense? But some of those questions are unique […]
May 4, 2020 by 106 Comments Editing Your NovelNeed a Good Book Editor? Top Up-to-Date Recommendations
Where do I find a good book editor? This is without doubt the question I receive most frequently from fellow writers. It’s a hard question to answer because, while finding an editor is easy, finding a good book editor is something else again. I originally published this post a few years ago after asking other […]
March 12, 2018 by 43 Comments Editing Your NovelHow to Spot and Avoid Self-Indulgent Writing
As writers, we have the opportunity to live lives of creativity, in which we get to craft whole worlds that conform to our every whim. Whether you’re writing your first book or your thirtieth, it’s always going to be a heady experience. But this comes with certain inherent pitfalls. Sometimes all this power can go […]
January 20, 2017 by 24 Comments Editing Your NovelThe Most Common Manuscript Malfunctions (and How to Avoid Them)
Editors see hundreds of manuscripts every year, from new and veteran writers alike. Almost all of them fall down on the same points. To help you avoid the common pitfalls of fiction writing, here are the manuscript malfunctions editors see most often, with tips on how you can avoid them! Manuscript Malfunction #1: Clichés Clichés are at top […]
December 16, 2016 by 30 Comments Editing Your Novel5 Steps to a Thorough Book Edit
Nothing can strike fear in the hearts of writers like editing. But if you’re going to improve your story, a thorough book edit is something that must happen. With the right tools, mindset, and preparation, it doesn’t have to be scary at all! The fun thing about the writing and editing process is that everyone approaches […]
October 14, 2016 by 26 Comments Editing Your Novel7 Things You Need to Know About Plotting and Editing
When starting a new novel, a writer needs to overcome several challenges. Planning your plot is definitely one of those. You must decide on the elements that will define your story and that will help you deliver it to your audience in the right way, by creating a clear structure that helps readers progress from […]
