THE EDITOR’S BLOG
Learn to edit your novel
with expert articles, audio guides, worksheets, and free resources.
How Taylor Jenkins Reid Crafts an Exceptional Opening Scene
Want to master writing excellent scenes? Study excellent scenes to find out how they work. Here’s what makes the opening scene of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo stand out—and how you can draw inspiration from it to craft an exceptional scene of your own.
2 “Showing” and “Telling” Ways to Convey Time Passing in Your Novel
Your characters feel time passing in your story. But your readers won’t—unless you tell them how much time is passing and show them why that matters. Use these techniques that blend telling and showing to make time matter to your readers the way it does to your characters.
3 “Telling” Ways to Convey Time Passing in Your Novel
The passage of time seems intuitive. It just happens, right? But in reality, unless you tell your readers how time is passing in your novel, they won’t know. Use these techniques to keep your readers grounded in your story so they know exactly when everything happens.
Why You Must Show Time Passing in Your Novel
In your story, YOU are responsible for making time pass. Here’s why time matters—and what happens if you forget to include it in your novel.
When Should You Practice, and When Should You Publish?
Writing is a skill, and there’s always more to learn. Here’s how to decide whether to focus on practicing new writing skills or publishing using the skills you’ve already developed.
You Can’t Skip Learning How to Write a Novel. Here’s Why
We’d all like to write amazing novels right off the bat. But great storytelling is a skill. And in order to use a skill, first you have to learn a skill. Here’s what it looks like to learn to write great novels—and how to tell when you’ve mastered the skill.
4 Tips for Your First Time Working With an Editor
When you start working with an editor for the first time, it can feel a little scary. But when you know what to expect, it becomes less scary and more accessible—and maybe even exciting.
So let’s demystify what it’s like to work with an editor with four top tips to help you make the most of your work together.
4 Tips to Find the Right Editor for Your Novel
One of the most rewarding parts of the editing process can be working with a developmental editor. But if you’ve never worked with an editor before, it can also be the most scary and intimidating part of the process. Never fear—I have four tips to help you find and work with the right editor for your novel.
Why Writers Resist Measuring Their Craft (And Why You Shouldn’t)
Great storytelling isn’t magic. It’s not based on inherent creative genius. That means it can be learned, practiced, studied, and understood—and it’s no less beautiful for it.