THE EDITOR’S BLOG
Learn to edit your novel
with expert articles, audio guides, worksheets, and free resources.
One Critical Problem You’ll Find in Boring Scenes (And How to Fix It)
If your characters don’t do something in every scene, you’ll bore your readers. Here’s how to make sure your characters don’t just think, but take action in every scene.
What to Do When You Get Feedback From an Editor
Have you received developmental feedback on your novel? Here’s the process I recommend to turn the feedback you receive into actionable edits.
Your Story Has Deep Meaning. Do You Know What It Is?
Stories shape the ways we think, the things we do, and the way we understand the world. How will your story impact your readers?
How to Create an Editing Process That Works for You With Author JD Edwin
The best editing process is the one that works for you. Here’s how author JD Edwin designed her own process, and how you can do the same.
Extended Edition: How Spider-Man’s Leap of Faith Makes Us Feel Triumphant
How does Miles Morales’s leap off a skyscraper create a feeling of triumph so strong, it’s almost palpable? Editor Kim Kessler and I take a close look at why this scene is so effective.
The 3-Step Formula to Evoke Emotion and Make Your Readers Feel
When you know how to evoke emotion, even breaking a pencil can make your readers feel. Use this three-step process to create feeling in every scene.
How Spider-Man (And All Great Stories) Makes Us Laugh, Cry, and Feel the Feels
We love stories because they make us feel. Here’s the formula Spider-Man (and all great stories) uses to create transformative emotional experiences.
3 Ways to Create a Scene List That Makes Your Editing Process (Almost) Easy
Your scene list can be as simple or as complex as you’d like. Here are three ways to create a scene list for your novel, plus how and why to use each one.
2 Simple Strategies to Format Your Scene List
Your first choice when you create your scene list is the format you’ll use. Document or spreadsheet? Learn the pros and cons of both, plus download free scene list templates to get you started.