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Joel Brigham runs Brigham Editorial (developmental edits, manuscript critiques, query help), teaches high school English in Illinois, and is an editor for RevPit — a community that gives away free developmental edits each spring.

REVPIT

• Free developmental editing contest — editors (not authors) mentor selected writers through full drafts

• Applications open April, winners announced early May; ~14–15 editors participate

• Year-round mini-event: 10 Queries — public feedback on first 5 pages + query letters

THE FIRST DRAFT

• One goal: words on the page. Momentum beats perfection — always

• Psychology backs this up: Goal Gradient Effect, Zeigarnik Effect, and Commitment Principle all support just keeping going

• Comparing your messy first draft to your last polished book is a trap — every published book started the same way

5 DRAFTING HINDRANCES

• Starting slow — avoid waking-up scenes, mirror descriptions, dream openers. Try dropping into the middle of something (in medias res)

• Perfectionism — editing as you go wastes time on scenes that may not survive. Grammar is the last step

• Weak character foundation — know their goal, fear, flaw, and wound as early as possible

• No tension — even “everyday life” chapters before the inciting incident need friction, stakes, or a ticking clock

• Info dumping — no backstory or flashbacks in chapters 1–2. Backstory is a breadcrumb, not a full loaf

FOR DISCOVERY / PANTSER WRITERS

• Check in every 15–20k words — assess without forcing rigid plot beats

• By 20k: your character should have a clear want and be on the book’s core journey

• Made a change mid-draft? Drop a note and keep writing forward as if it’s always been that way — don’t stop to rewrite

LINKS

Joel’s services: brighameditorial.com • RevPit: reviseresub.com • Show notes: writerswithwrinkles.net

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