The term “plot” tends to bring to mind one thing: the action of a story. It’s the doing of a character rather than the thinking of a character. Some of the earliest stories, fairy tales, are completely plot-driven; and there’s the problematic yet everlasting debate between the superiority between “literary” fiction and “genre” fiction that …
Blog
How Can a Reverse Outline Help You Revise Your Novel?
In 6 Outlining Methods to Suit Your Writing Process, I explained what an outline is and provided some examples of types of outlines that are popular among writers. In short: Outlines are done before drafting in order to create a roadmap for you while you write. Reverse outlines, however, are a different beast. We’ll cover— …
6 Outlining Methods to Suit Your Writing Process
It’s a common conversation among authors: Do you plot, or do you “pants”? Can an outline help a writer by providing a roadmap through their story, or might they prevent flexibility and keep a writer from “discovering” their story as they write? Here’s the thing: Outlines don’t have to be prescriptive, nor do they have …
What’s the Difference Between Copy Editing and Proofreading?
Copy editing and proofreading are both crucial parts of polishing your manuscript and ensuring a smooth reading experience for your audience. A common mistake when it comes to editing is the conflation between proofreading and copy editing, but it’s important to note that these are two very different processes—and understanding the difference is crucial when …
5 Strategies to Self-Edit Your Novel’s Big Picture
Developmental editing is arguably the most crucial step in the editing process—and the most frustrating. Yet while the developmental editing stage means measuring your novel’s parts and balancing the components with care—often cutting, adding, and doing a lot of rewriting—with the right organizational strategies, you can see the bigger picture and concentrate your focus effectively, saving your time and your sanity.
The Rhetorical Triangle, for Fiction Writers: An Introduction
The terms “rhetorical triangle” and “fiction writing” tend to not go hand-in-hand, but the rhetorical triangle is actually a great resource for writers. Use it to analyze your characters and understand their motivations.
What Type of Editing is Right for You?
You finally take the leap and decide to hire an editor . . . but let’s face it, there’s a lot of options. It’s totally okay to approach an editor and tell them you don’t know what kind of editing your project needs. Part of your editor’s job is actually to set you up with …
Understanding the Different Types of Novel Editing
There are many different editing services, designed to address every step of the writing and publishing journey. From developmental editing (also known as a content or substantial edit) down to the final proofread of a formatted manuscript, editing takes many forms—which can also be confusing if you’re a writer new to the stage. Understanding what …