You know that feeling when you’re reading a book and suddenly realize you’ve been skimming for the past three pages without absorbing a single word? That’s a pacing problem. As an editor, I see this feedback constantly: “It drags in the middle.” “I lost interest around chapter 8.” “Nothing happens for too long.” And the writer’s response is usually some version of panic followed by “But I need all of that! It’s important!” Here’s the thing: pacing problems are rarely about cutting everything that isn’t a car chase or a murder. They’re about understanding why your…
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Plot vs Character: Which Comes First?
Here’s a question that’s sparked more writing forum arguments than “how many spaces after a period”: Should you start with plot or character? I’ve seen writers tie themselves in knots over this…
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Mastering the Basics: Common Grammar Errors and How to Avoid Them
Grammar is the backbone of effective communication in writing. By understanding and applying basic grammar rules, you can significantly enhance the readability and professionalism of your manuscript, making the editing process much…
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Brainstorming Ideas
Before you can plot your novel, you need a solid idea. This phase is all about exploring different concepts and finding one that resonates with you. Today, we’re going to embrace 80s…
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Great Expectations: What to Expect From Your Editor
Just like any profession, editors come with varying levels of experience, expertise, and specialties. Some editors may excel in developmental editing, helping you shape your story, while others might be more adept…
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What Happens When I Request an Edit?
Step One – Your Initial Inquiry Fill out my quote form to initiate the process. This tells me more about your book and your expectations for your edit. You can include a…
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Active vs Passive Voice
Look, while we’d like to imagine that authors are masters of their craft, that’s just not always true, and thank God for that. There are a lot of wonderful stories to be…
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How to Get Constructive Writing Feedback
We’ve already addressed how to give constructive feedback with our discussion over TAG and Compliment Sandwiches. But I found this really helpful when I read it, so I want to share it…
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Rules for a Great Writing Group
Greetings! The following are an accumulation of rules and tips that I’ve encountered over the years. So use them with the knowledge that I don’t own them! Workgroup Rules: 1. Be kind.…
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What Kind of Edits Do I Need Right Now?
We need to spend some time talking about what kinds of edits there are before evaluating what you need. At a minimum, most manuscripts need to go through at least three rounds…
