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Developmental Edit Preparation: Tips for Debut Authors
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Revise Your First Draft Calmly: Big-Picture Strategy
If you’re tweaking sentences but still feel like somethings “off,” it might be time for big-picture revision, not more line-level tinkering. Learn how to revise your first draft calmly. Before You Finish the First Draft While drafting, it can help to keep a low-pressure journal about your progress – what feels exciting, what feels sticky,…
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Self-Editing Fantasy, Memoir & Thriller: Genre Specific Examples
Self-editing shifts by genre – a fantasy writer tracks worldbuilding for consistency, while a memoirist hones emotional clarity and boundaries, and a thriller author builds suspense without leaks. Here are examples for self-editing fantasy, memoir, & thriller to spot in your pages. Fantasy: Continuity & Info Dumps In a fantasy draft, a dragon’s scale color…
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Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: Basics from Browne & King
Before you hire an editor, a few simple self-editing passes can make your draft clearer, stronger, and easier to work with. One of my favorite resources for this stage is Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King, a book full of practical techniques that help writers tighten prose, clarify scenes, and strengthen…
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Story Consultations: A Supportive First Step for Authors
Story Consultations: A Supportive First Step for Authors If you’ve been following along, you may have noticed that one of my services has a new name. My former manuscript evaluations are now Story Consultations, and I made this change to better reflect the kind of support I want to offer authors, especially new and debut…
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Common Fiction Writing Mistakes: Part 2 (POV, Cause & Effect, and More)
Every writer has blind spots. Some over-describe, some jump POV mid-scene, some repeat favorite words without even noticing – and none of this means you’re a “bad” writer, it just means you’re human. These are all common fiction writing mistakes, some grammar related, that are easy to fix. Inconsistent POV (Head-Hopping) Head-hopping happens when a…
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Common Fiction Writing Mistakes: Part 1 (Passive Voice & More)
If you’re worried there are “secret rules” you’re breaking in your manuscript, you’re not alone – most writers feel this way at some point! Let’s break down some common fiction writing mistakes so you know what to work on. Passive Sentence Structure Passive voice sneaks in when the subject receives the action, like “The ball…
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5 Signs You Need a Book Coach: Beat the Messy Middle & Finish Your Draft
You don’t need to be more disciplined – you might just need a book coach. Learn 5 signs you need a book coach: from spinning your wheels in the messy middle, to feeling too close to your own words to see the big picture. Coaching isn’t about judgement; it’s about structured support, clear next steps,…
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Signs You’re Done (Really Done): When To Stop Revising Your Manuscript
Are you still revising, or just rearranging sentences because you’re afraid to let go? How do you know when to stop revising? This blog offers a checklist you can use to decide whether your manuscript needs another self-pass or a new set of eyes. If you’re seeing more tweaking synonyms than true changes, you may…
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Letting Go of Your Manuscript: The Emotional Journey of Handing Off Your Draft
Letting go of your manuscript can feel a little like sending a child to their first day of school – exciting, terrifying, and weirdly quiet afterward. In this blog I am talking honestly about the emotional side of releasing your work to beta readers, editors, or submissions. What part of that process feels hardest for…
