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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 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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Cost of Skipping Editing: Why Unedited Books Lose Sales & Readers
The only thing more expensive than editing . . . is not editing. I’m sharing real ways that the cost of skipping editing shows up for authors in time, readers, and confidence – plus how a small, focused edit can prevent big problems later. If you’re wondering how editing fits into the bigger publishing picture,…
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Fantasy Worldbuilding Without Overwhelming Readers
How to Build a Believable World Without Overwhelming the Reader As a reader, nothing pulls me out of a fantasy faster than pages of names, histories, and maps before I’ve met a single character I care about. As an editor, I see plenty of drafts that are only one small revision away from being deeply…
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Fantasy Worldbuilding Blueprint: Avoid These 5 Mistakes
Fantasy Worldbuilding Blueprint: Avoid These 5 Mistakes Writers: if your fantasy worldbuilding has turned into a lore avalanche, your readers might be quietly backing away. Worldbuilding is one of the joys of fantasy, but it’s also one of the easiest places to lose your reader’s attention. When a draft lands in the inbox packed with…
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Battling Author Procrastination? Let’s Nudge Those Words to the Page!
Tips for Author Procrastination: Nudge Your Next Words Forward Is your manuscript feeling a bit neglected lately? If so, you are absolutely not alone. All writers – even those with multiple bestsellers and a morning routine worthy of envy – encounter waves of delay. It’s not laziness, it’s simply part of the human creative cycle.…
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Reflections on Mastermind Groups
Why Every Editor and Author Deserves a Mastermind Group Have you ever wished for a team right in your corner – cheering you on, sharing practical advice, and offering camaraderie when the going gets tough? That’s the magic of a mastermind group. It’s not just professional development; it’s a blend of pep rally and think…
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The Memoirist’s Private Journal: 7 Prompts to Uncover Your Book’s Core Theme
Journaling is a secret engine behind powerful memoir writing. It gives authors a safe, private place to explore raw memories and feelings, ultimately distilling them into a meaningful story for readers. Editors and book coaches use guided prompts to help writers dig beneath surface anecdotes and reveal the deeper themes that will shape their memoirs,…
