Your Next Draft: Recent Episodes
Alice Sudlow
You write your first draft of your novel. Then what? How do you go from a messy rough draft to an amazing published book? Learn how to edit your novel in Your Next Draft. Developmental editor and copyeditor Alice Sudlow will teach you how to turn your first draft into a final draft and get your book publication-ready. Tune in each week for tips, strategies, and step-by-step guides for the novel editing process. And soon, you’ll publish an amazing book!
This skater didn't win an Olympic medal, and I'm obsessed with him.
I watched Cha Jun-Hwan’s figure skating routine last week in the Olympic men’s short program competition. I never finished watching that competition—I was busy rewinding Jun-Hwan’s routine to watch him over and over again.
I filmed my TV screen on my phone and watched it again while I sat in the courthouse on jury duty. I gushed about it to friends and family. I’ve been listening to the song he skated to on loop for a week.
Jun-Hwan didn’t win a medal. He placed fourth, just off the podium. But his skate has stuck in my mind like no other skater’s has throughout this entire Olympics.
There is no Olympic gold medal for literature.
Still, most writers I work with are chasing their own version of Olympic gold. You’re reaching for lofty achievements: to sign an agent, to get a book deal, to land on the endcaps of Barnes and Noble, maybe even to rise up in the bestseller lists.
Which, on the one hand, is fantastic. As I’m sure every Olympic athlete knows, it’s so incredibly satisfying and rewarding to push the limits of your potential, to set a high bar and then become the person who can surpass it.
But on the other hand, it’s a hidden trap. Because the achievements we compete for are merely proxies for what we actually want. The agents, the deals, the bookstores, the lists are simply stand-ins for excellence and validation and engagement with readers who love what we write.
Which means that it’s possible to win the agents and the deals without reaching excellence and connecting with readers. And it’s possible to lose the agents and the accolades, and still attain the excellence and engagement we most want.
So in this episode, I’m raving about Cha Jun-Hwan.
Not because he medaled, or he was expected to medal but didn’t, or he was part of any figure skating drama. He was simply there, skating a great skate—one that lives on in my mind and on my phone and in my Youtube history.
And I’m unpacking why.
What magic did his skate hold that surpassed any other?
What am I measuring besides Olympic gold?
And how can writers weave that magic, too?
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Watch Cha Jun-Hwan’s short program
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When will you be truly satisfied with your novel? How will you know when you’ve succeeded?
How will you know when you’re done?
Will it be when you LOVE your book? When you stop cringing as you read it? When you can’t think of a single change left to make?
When beta readers rave about it? When they tell you the romantic scenes made them swoon and the funny scenes made them laugh, the scary scenes gave them nightmares and the sad scenes made them cry?
When a reader tells you your book impacted them profoundly? That it changed the way they think about something that matters?
Or will it be when an agent requests your full manuscript, then returns with an offer of representation? When an editor offers you a book deal? When your book is published and you see it on bookstore shelves?
One of the most difficult editing decisions you’ll face is determining when your book is done. When you have finished, when it’s ready to share with the world, when this project you’ve poured so much of your heart into is complete.
In this episode, I’ll help you uncover the factors that matter most to you.
You’ll learn:
- How most writers I talk to define “success”
- What agents are REALLY looking for
- Why you want and NEED external validation—and when external validation becomes harmful, not helpful
- What you TRULY want for your book
- And more!
Calling your book “done” will always be a challenging decision. After all, art is never finished, only abandoned.
But when you know what you value most, you can chase it with clarity and determination, and celebrate when you reach it.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Interested in working with me? Fill out the form at: alicesudlow.com/contact
- Share how you’ll know you’re done: alicesudlow.com/101
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"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
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What if editing isn’t drudgery, but the most delightful part of your writing process?
So you’re revising yet another draft. You’re hoping against hope that this draft will be your final draft. Which, coincidentally, is also what you hoped for the last draft, and the one before that.
Editing is a slog you’re trudging through. You dream of the day when you can escape this drudgery and return to the free-flowing fun of writing the first draft of your next book.
But what if editing isn’t an obstacle you have to grit your teeth and bear?
What if it’s where the magic happens?
It would release the pressure to make this draft your last draft. It would make the process itself more fun, a reward in and of itself. And paradoxically, when you’re working from pleasure rather than pressure, your editing work could become more efficient, because you give the process the space it needs.
So I asked six authors, editors, and book coaches the same question:
What do you love about editing?
The answers they shared vary widely. They’re a whole host of things: everything from puzzle-solving and understanding the mechanics that makes something work to personal development, community building, and meaning-making.
In this episode, I’m sharing all their answers with you, in hopes of sparking a little of your own editing joy.
Listen for what resonates with you. You might discover one new thing to love—or a whole new perspective on revision.
And if you already love editing, well, I think you’ll find this episode an absolute delight.
Plus, I want to know what you love about editing! Record a 1-minute voicemail sharing what you love about editing, and I might feature it in a future podcast episode.
Tell me what you love about editing here »
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Savannah Gilbo: 91. How to Use Genre as a Revision Tool
- A.S. King: 82. How Surrealist Pantser A.S. King Revises Award-Winning Novels
- Cathryn deVries: 76. Scene Workshop: Hook Your Readers in Chapter One
- Brannan Sirratt: 80. How to Use Revision Tools Like the Story Authority You Already Are
- Abigail K. Perry: 86. How Great First Chapters Make Readers Care
- Abigail K. Perry: 89. How Great First Lines Make Readers Pay Attention
- Kim Kessler & Cathryn deVries: 78. How Multiple Layers of Editing Combine to Perfect Your Story
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"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
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Is story excellence something you "know when you see it"—or can it actually be measured?
Is excellence defined by hitting bestseller lists? Filling seats at every book tour stop? Being selected for “Best Books of 2025” lists?
Is excellence defined by getting gatekeeper approval? Getting agent representation? Landing a book deal? Winning awards?
Is excellence defined by earning money? Getting a big advance? Earning out the advance and bringing in royalties?
Or is it something else?
How can we measure that a book is good? What is the pinnacle we’re trying to reach, and how will we tell when we achieve it?
This is a big, big question, and feels in some ways impossible to answer. But I’m going to try. Because if we want to craft excellent novels, we need to know what we’re aiming for so we can recognize when we reach it and spot when we’re going off course.
Come journey with me to discover what excellent stories truly do. We’re going to get lightly philosophical so you can shape your stories to excellence too.
You’ll hear:
- My current working definition of an excellent novel
- Why I am not actually the arbiter of excellence (even though I have really good taste)
- Why excellent books don’t always receive industry validation . . . and whether all books the industry promotes are excellent (spoiler: no)
- What readers WANT from stories
- Why stories have been essential to human survival since the beginning of storytelling
- 5 questions to ask yourself to define YOUR OWN standard of excellence
Once you’ve heard how I’m defining excellence, I’d love to hear your definition! Head to the comments on the blog post and let me know what makes a story excellent to you.
Share your standard of excellence in the comments »
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Ep. 65: Why Some Writers Resist Measuring Their Craft (And Why They Shouldn’t)
- Ep. 84: What If You Do Everything Right and the Book Launch Still Goes Wrong? with A.S. King
- Ep. 36: Your Story Has Deep Meaning. Do You Know What It Is?
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"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
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If you get feedback that grinds you to a halt, there's a problem. But YOU are not the problem—the feedback is.
Recently, a writer came to me with feedback she was struggling to implement. She’d written a draft of her story, but she knew it needed revision. So she’d gotten a manuscript evaluation from another editor. And the feedback she got in that evaluation really threw her off.
When this writer and I talked, she was so confused. She knew what her vision was for her story, and why she’d made the story structure choices she’d made.
But the feedback she’d gotten called some of those foundational structure choices into question. It would be a really big overhaul—a different core conflict and a different genre.
The writer was quick to assure me that she was willing to do that work. She was not afraid of a page one rewrite. She was not afraid of getting tough critique. She wanted honest feedback from experts, and she was determined to do whatever it took to revise her manuscript into a story that works.
And yet, she was stuck. She had started mapping what it would look like to implement the feedback she’d gotten. And she had this nagging feeling that it would mean walking away from something about her story that mattered to her.
So what was she to do?
What do you do when feedback gets you stuck? When it seems to make things worse, not better? When you can’t figure out how to implement it, no matter how hard you try?
In this episode, I’m sharing what to do with feedback when it doesn’t get you traction, but grinds you to a halt.
You’ll hear:
- What the problem ACTUALLY is (hint: YOU are not the problem!)
- Why feedback can be true and unhelpful
- What to do when the feedback just doesn’t work
- How to get feedback that gets you traction again
- And more!
If you have ever gotten feedback that you just can’t make work, this is what I want you to hear.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get feedback that gets you traction again: alicesudlow.com/nrs
Send me a Text Message!
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"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
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If the line writing is lovely, but the story still falls flat, check for these surprisingly hard-to-spot problems.
You’ve written a draft of your novel. It’s a pretty good draft, actually. Maybe you’ve revised it—once, or twice, or five times. The line-by-line writing is evocative, and a lot of the scenes are exciting and fun.
But.
Come on, you knew there was a “but” coming. You can feel it in your gut. Your story is just not doing everything you want it to do.
There’s something missing. Something not quite right. The ending isn’t paying off the way you want it to. Even though you structured your story with care, crafted the plot and cross-checked it with every story outline you know, something is still falling flat.
You’ve taken it as far as you know to go. So why isn’t it working? And what can it possibly still need, when you’ve done everything you know to do?
I have met so many writers at this exact moment. And I’ve noticed common patterns cropping up again and again—three incredibly common, surprisingly subtle pitfalls stories tend to fall into without their writers even realizing.
I can’t guarantee that your story has any of these problems. But what I can tell you is, if your story isn’t landing the way you want it to yet, these three pitfalls are the first things to check. And the best part is, when you solve even one of them, that solution will cascade down to make so many more things work even better in your story.
So if you’ve taken your story as far as you can, and you’re not sure what to do with it, here’s where to go next.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get my feedback and find your story’s Next Right Step: alicesudlow.com/nrs
Go deeper with these episodes:
- The Hidden Half of Your Protagonist's Goal (That Makes Story Structure Work)
- How to Figure Out What Your Character REALLY Wants
- The 12 Core Genres That Power Every Great Story
- How to Use Genre as a Revision Tool (with Savannah Gilbo)
- One Insidious Cause of Disappointing Endings (and How to Fix It)
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"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
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What do you do when your genre just refuses to work?
When you’ve tried every content genre you know—Action, Crime, Horror, Thriller, Performance, Love, Society, and more—and every single one just does not fit your story?
Sure, some parts of several of those genres fit your story. Those parts even seem essential.
Some parts feel like a stretch, but you can make them work if you squint.
And some parts don’t fit at all.
If you’re honest, it’s like your story is secretly three genres in a trenchcoat trying to sneak past some gatekeeper rubric.
In other words: your genre feels like an utter mess. A confusing mish-mash. Like somewhere, somehow, your story took a wrong turn, and now it’s doing a bunch of things poorly and nothing really well. It simply refuses to check all the right genre boxes at the same time.
And when you try to just pick the best-fitting genre and make it work, it feels like you’re ham-fistedly shoving your beautiful, unique, personal creation into a standardized mold it truly doesn’t fit.
When genre feels like all of that, what do you do?
That’s what I’m exploring in this episode. I’m taking genre deeper than conventions and obligatory moments to show you what it’s really measuring.
You’ll hear:
- A key reason why your story’s genre is so hard to spot (hint: you’re not the problem, and your story isn’t either)
- How the content genres map onto real life—and how I can take one bike ride with my brother and spin it into four different genres
- How knowing your story’s genre helps your readers follow the plot—and derive meaning from your story
- And more!
Plus, I’m taking you on vacation with me. I just got back from the beach, where my brother and I rode bikes along the marsh. And in this episode, I’m bringing you along for the ride.
What genre was our bike ride? You’ll have to listen to find out!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Your primer on content genres: The 12 Core Genres That Power Every Great Story
- Get the free Content Genre Overview with resources for every genre
- See photos from my bike ride with Thomas
- Listen to peaceful marsh sounds
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"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
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If you’re second-guessing your pacing, give your turning point this two-part check.
Where the heck is the turning point?
If you’ve ever tried to spot the turning point in a story you love, you’ve probably asked some version of this question.
I always feel like I’m playing that old children’s video game: Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?
(In my imagination, the turning point is captured in shadowy profile, wearing a red hat with a wide brim.) (this is also called, tell me you’re a 90s baby without telling me you’re a 90s baby.)
Anyway. When you’re analyzing someone else’s story, it feels like a hunt for something you just can’t spot.
When you’re analyzing your own story, it feels like second-guessing your pacing.
Did you put the turning point in the right spot? Is it happening too early? Too late? Will the reader get bored waiting for it to happen? Or have you rushed something critical?
If any of those questions sound familiar, you won’t want to miss this episode.
It’s all about where in the story the turning point is located—and yes, this question is complicated enough to require an entire episode to unpack.
You’ll hear:
- 2 guiding principles I use for the location of every turning point
- Where the turning point is located in a novel, novella, and scene—and why those can be different places
- What happens when you move the turning point earlier or later
- Whether the turning point and the midpoint are ever the same point
- And more!
You know what the turning point is—the moment that makes it clear the protagonist cannot achieve their goal in the way they wanted to.
You know what it does—it forces the protagonist into a crisis choice.
And now, you’ll know where to look for it—and where to put it in your own stories.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Ep. 94: Turning Point: How to Find and Write the Moment That Changes Everything
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FREE: Join Me at Escape the Plot Forest
If you're enjoying the episodes on the 6 Elements of Story, you won't want to miss the Escape the Plot Forest summit from October 18 to 22.
4 days + 40 story experts + $0
And on Saturday, October 18, I'll be digging deeper into the 6 Elements of Story, including some tips that haven't made it to the podcast yet.
Grab your free ticket at alicesudlow.com/plot.
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"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
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It's the hinge your entire story turns on—and one of the hardest story elements to identify and write.
Can I be honest? I struggled with turning points for years.
I knew they were essential. They’re the moment when everything changes. The moment that forces the character to face a crisis choice. The moment that reveals what the story is really, at its heart, about.
And yet . . . I couldn’t see them.
I found so many things that weren’t the turning point. I found inciting incidents, and midpoints, and climaxes.
The turning point, though? It eluded me.
Until I learned a simple framework that finally, finally unlocked them for me.
That framework:
- Reveals why the turning point matters so dang much within the story
- Ties the turning point perfectly to the inciting incident, climax, and every other element of story
- Is objective and straightforward, making it clear to measure (no more guessing at turning points based on gut feeling!)
- Is wonderfully simple (it’s kind of incredible how simple it is, considering how tough turning points are to spot)
That framework marked my turning point in the way I edit turning points.
If you have ever struggled to figure out what the heck the turning point is in a story, well, you’re not alone.
I hope this framework gives you a breakthrough. It certainly did for me!
Further listening:
- Inciting incident (qualities & traps)
- Progressive complications (qualities)
- Progressive complications (traps)
- Protagonist’s goal
- Content genres
Send me a Text Message!
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"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
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If your structure is perfect on paper, but your story still falls flat, this might be what you're missing.
Have you ever structured a story with all the right pieces, but something still feels flat?
You check all the boxes on paper:
✅ Inciting incident
✅ Progressive complications
✅ Turning point
✅ Crisis
✅ Climax
✅ Resolution
And yet it still falls flat. They mostly align, probably, you’re pretty sure. But somehow, they’re not working together the way they should.
The turning point doesn’t pack the right punch. The crisis doesn’t feel devastating enough, even though all is technically lost. The climax doesn’t feel like a cathartic payoff, but a gentle womp-womp.
All the pieces are there. So what went wrong?
Here’s the thing: in order for the six elements of story to work, you have to understand your character’s goal.
Most writers have a vague sense of what their protagonist generally wants. But that’s not enough.
You need to know specifically the thing that they want—and the thing they don’t want.
So in this episode, I’m putting the goal under the microscope. You’ll learn:
- Why it’s not enough to know what your character wants
- A super-simple framework for a character’s goal (seriously, it’s ridiculously easy)
- How that framework summarizes the meaning of the entire story
- And how the goal glues all six elements of story together, driving the entire story from inciting incident to resolution
Without a clearly defined goal, all the structure in the world won’t make your story come alive.
With it, everything else falls neatly into place.
Dig deeper with these related episodes:
- Inciting incident (qualities & traps)
- Progressive complications (qualities)
- Progressive complications (traps)
- Content genres
Send me a Text Message!
Support the show
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"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
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What if you've already done enough to work with an editor—right now?
You’ve been working on your novel for so long. Not just months—years, maybe even decades.
And yet you have a long way still to go. The day when you have a polished manuscript you’re proud to pitch or publish feels so far away, and you're starting to wonder if you're missing something crucial.
And in the back of your mind, you might be wondering:
When should you work with an editor?
How much more should you do before you start looking? How many drafts should you finish before you reach out? When is your story finally ready for an editor’s feedback?
That’s the question I’m answering in this episode—and the answer might surprise you.
You’ll learn:
- The one simple question that tells you it’s time for editorial help
- Why "finished" isn't a prerequisite for working with an editor
- The landscape of editorial support available at every stage (from idea to publication)
- How to find the right type of editor for where you are in your process
- The difference between "editor" and "book coach" and what each term suggests
Here's what I've discovered: most writers desperately want editorial support—they just don't know it exists at their stage of the process.
So in this episode, I’ll give you a simple metric to evaluate when you are ready for an editor, and show you what to look for when you are.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Work with me in Next Right Step: alicesudlow.com/nrs
Send me a Text Message!
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"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
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Here’s what to DO with your genre once you know which one you’re writing.
So you know your story’s genre.
It’s an Action story with a Worldview internal genre. Or it’s a Love story with a Status internal genre. You’re, like, 32% sure of it.
Which is great, because you’ve studied story enough to know genre is important. You’ve heard that it shapes the foundations of your story, that it has conventions and obligatory scenes, reader expectations that you’ll need to deliver on.
Somehow, though, just knowing some words—Action, Worldview, Love, Status—hasn’t magically solved anything. And it’s not a great feeling to have studied story theory so much, and still be stuck on the application.
So what now? Now that you have some language for your story’s genre, what do you do with it? How do you actually use it as a revision tool?
That’s what I’m exploring in this episode with my friend and fellow writing coach Savannah Gilbo. Savannah is my go-to genre expert, and she shares exactly how to make genre work for you in revision.
You’ll hear:
- Why naming your genre earlier than you think can save you from endless rewrites
- The 3 genre mistakes that secretly stall drafts (and how to avoid them)
- How to turn genre from a rigid list of “must-haves” into a flexible writing tool
- How to blend multiple genres like a pro (and without getting lost)
- And more!
Identifying your genre is a great first step. In this episode, Savannah will show you what to actually do with it once you know which one you’re writing.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get Savannah’s guidance on your story in Notes to Novel: alicesudlow.com/notestonovel
- Get the Content Genre Overview: alicesudlow.com/90
- Ep. 90: The 12 Core Genres That Power Every Great Story
The Notes to Novel link is an affiliate link. I wholeheartedly recommend Savannah’s coaching and am delighted to share her resources with you!
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"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
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Genre isn’t what you think it is. Here’s how to use it better.
Genre. Let me guess:
It’s the bane of your existence. A convoluted soup of arbitrary descriptors that almost but not quite mean the same thing. Sci fi or fantasy? Paranormal or supernatural? Upmarket or book club? Do words even have meaning?
Or, it’s a restrictive box with tropes and conventions you feel like you need to cross off a checklist, until your story is more “paint by numbers” formulaic than an original creation unique to your imagination.
Or, it’s a necessary evil in your query letter. Your task is to say the right genre words to the right agent to appeal to their interests and make them want to request your manuscript. Get it right, you get a book deal. Get it wrong, you fail.
Genre can be all those things, for sure.
But what if, first and foremost, it were a tool that works for you?
In this episode, I’m throwing out the way we usually talk about genre. And I’m replacing it with an approach to genre that’s actually useful for crafting great stories.
Not just useful, actually. Essential.
You’ll learn:
- What “genre” actually means
- Why the genre labels on the shelves at Barnes and Noble won’t help you craft a great story
- The 12 fundamental genres that apply to every great story
- 2 questions to begin identifying your story’s genre
This approach to genre won’t constrain your creativity within someone else’s box. Rather, it will reveal the story you truly want to tell.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the Content Genre Overview: alicesudlow.com/90
Send me a Text Message!
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"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
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It is a truth universally acknowledged that a fiction writer in possession of a brilliant story must craft a captivating opening line.
No pressure, right?
Your opening line is your story’s first impression. Agents, editors, and even readers decide fast whether they want to keep reading or drop the book altogether. And yes, they can make that judgment in as little as the very first sentence.
So your opening line is doing some heavy, heavy lifting.
But what, exactly, do great first lines do?
What sets an unputdownable first sentence apart from a forgettable dud? How do they capture readers—and agents—in a matter of seconds?
I turned to Abigail K. Perry, editor, book coach, and expert in opening chapters, to find out.
You’ll hear:
- What agents are looking for in the first line of a manuscript (and what makes them stop reading)
- What makes captivating first lines actually work
- How to find the hooks of your story—what only your story can deliver
- How to lighten the pressure to get the first line right
- And more!
If you’ve ever worried over the beginning of your book—if you’ve ever written and discarded a dozen different versions of your first sentence, and you’re still stressed that that first line won’t land—well, I think you’re going to love what Abigail has to share.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Want more first chapter wisdom? Check out the first part of my conversation with Abigail: How Great First Chapters Make Readers Care »
Check out a few of Abigail’s “First Chapter Deep Dive” episodes on Lit Match:
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
- Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Send me a Text Message!
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"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
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Are your readers bored? Disappointed? Confused? Here's what that tells you about your story's middle.
You’re stuck in the messy middle. Languishing in the doldrums of your story. The inciting incident is long past, the climax is so far ahead you can’t see it over the horizon, and you’re drifting, lost at sea.
What is actually supposed to happen here?
Where did your plot momentum go?
Why do your pages feel full of stuff, and yet nothing ever happens?
The answers to all those questions lie in your progressive complications. Specifically, something’s going wrong in your progressive complications.
In this episode, I’m digging even deeper into the progressive complications.
I’m sharing the seven most common traps I see, the impact they have on your story and your readers, and of course, how to fix them so you can make your story unputdownable from beginning to end.
You’ll learn:
- How to diagnose the problem in your story’s middle based on how your reader feels
- How to spot “fluff” that isn’t moving your story forward
- How coincidences work in stories—and what happens when they don’t work
- What happens when a story has no progressive complications at all
- And more!
And don’t miss the free cheat sheet that goes with this episode! Print it and keep it handy as you’re editing.
Here’s the thing: the middle of a story isn’t an inscrutable secret. This episode is your guide to spot the most common traps and free your story from them.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the Progressive Complication Revision Cheat Sheet: alicesudlow.com/88
- Work with me: alicesudlow.com/contact
- Ep. 87: Make Sense of Your Messy Middle With the Most Underrated Story Element
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You don’t need more filler. You need better progressive complications.
Your inciting incident hooks your readers and promises them a story they’ll love.
And then comes the middle.
The messy middle. The quiet doldrums of your story, where plot momentum goes to die.
Where your characters wander, your conflict blurs, and you start to wonder if any of it is working.
So what do you do? Add some “stuff that happens” and hope it holds your readers’ interest? Toss in a random subplot? Describe your character’s breakfast in extreme detail?
Nope. This is the space of the progressive complications.
And in this episode, I’m showing you exactly how to revise them.
Because the middle of your story isn’t filler or unnecessary fluff. It’s 60% of the story, and it has an essential job to do.
- What progressive complications really are (and what they’re not)
- How they build momentum and escalate conflict
- The 8 qualities I’m looking for when I edit progressive complications
- How to know if your scenes are working—or just taking up space
- And more!
And to make it even easier, I’ve created a cheat sheet to help you revise your progressive complications. Print it out, keep it handy, and use it every time you edit a scene.
If you’ve ever gotten stuck in the middle of your manuscript wondering how to move forward—this episode is for you.
Let’s take your messy middle and make it unputdownable.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the Inciting Incident Revision Cheat Sheet: alicesudlow.com/87
- Work with me: alicesudlow.com/contact
- Ep. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene
- A clip from S1E4 of Younger
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"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
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Your first chapter has a monumental task: to make potential readers care about your book right away and hook them to keep reading.
Every sentence is a chance to earn your reader’s attention—or lose their fragile, baby-fresh interest before your story even begins.
And that’s assuming that your book makes it to the bookstore shelves. If you’re traditionally publishing, the first chapter’s burdened with even more responsibility. It’s your first impression with agents and editors, who will judge whether to consider the full manuscript based on the first five or ten pages alone.
The stakes are high.
So high, in fact, that it’s easy to get stuck—revising and refining your first chapter over and over while the rest of the manuscript gathers dust.
So I asked Abigail K. Perry, a fellow editor and book coach, to come help us break out of that trap.
“If we don't care about a character, we don't care about what happens to them. . . . Pull us into character and let us understand and get to know them so that when threats are posed against them, we care about what happens.”
—Abigail K. Perry
You’ll hear:
- What great first chapters must accomplish
- Why mystery is a good thing in first chapters (and info dumps are not)
- How to make your readers care about your characters in a matter of pages, paragraphs, or even sentences
- And more
If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a first chapter revision loop, this one’s for you.
Check out Abigail’s “First Chapter Deep Dive” episodes on the books we discussed:
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
- Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
- Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling
- (Coming soon: Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card)
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Your inciting incident sets the stage for everything that follows. Here's what to revise so it can carry the story.
A great inciting incident does a lot of heavy lifting.
→ It hooks your readers, pulling them into the story.
→ And it sets up everything to come, laying the foundation for a brilliant climax your readers will love.
The beginning matters. Which means there’s a lot of pressure to get it right.
But what does right actually mean? How do you start a story well?
That’s what I’m tackling in this episode. I’m going beyond the definition of the inciting incident to share what I as an editor am looking for when I edit inciting incidents.
In other words, if you’ve written an inciting incident and aren’t sure how to tell if it works, this episode is your guide to edit it.
You’ll hear:
- How I define the inciting incident
- Where in the story the inciting incident appears (and how to tell if it’s too early or too late)
- The 7 qualities I’m watching for when I edit an inciting incident
- The 4 common inciting incident traps I see writers fall into (including one that’s really hard to spot, and yet it can tank the whole story)
- And more
Plus, I’ve gathered it all into a one-page cheat sheet you can reference every time you edit an inciting incident. Print it out and keep it in your writing space for easy access.
If you’ve ever found the advice to “make sure your story has an inciting incident” unsatisfactory, this episode is for you.
Don’t just make sure your story has an inciting incident. Use this episode to revise it until it’s good. Great. Unputdownable, even.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the Inciting Incident Revision Cheat Sheet: alicesudlow.com/85
- Work with me: alicesudlow.com/contact
- Ep. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every Story
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“It really broke my heart, actually. . . . For the rest of my life, it will break my heart.” A.S. King gets honest about what happened when the publishing industry failed her book.
What happens after you edit your book?
What happens after you’ve bared the story of your heart, crafted it into an excellent novel, and presented it to the world?
What happens when you get traditionally published, when you receive awards and accolades, and when it looks like you’ve won the author career lottery?
Last month, I brought author A.S. King on the podcast to share how she revises award-winning novels—complex, intense, surrealist, mind-bending stories meant to challenge her readers to think.
But that wasn’t the end of the conversation. In fact, it wasn’t even the start.
The conversation began months earlier, when I heard the story of her book launch for her latest novel.
I won’t spoil the ending here, but I will say: it did not go how she expected.
So today, I’m bringing Amy back on the podcast to tell us her publishing story and give us a glimpse of what comes after all the writing and all the revising.
You’ll hear:
- What really happened during A.S. King’s latest book launch
- How a publisher’s big promises fell through—and what that meant for the book
- Why even revising an excellent novel doesn’t guarantee industry support
- What it feels like when the book of your heart gets treated like just another product
- How gender, genre, and power shape what gets promoted (and what doesn’t)
- What it takes to keep going when publishing knocks you off course
- And more
It’s a peek into traditional publishing—and a reality check on what the industry feels like from the inside, even for an award-winning author in her prime.
And above all, it’s a reminder of what really matters when it comes to measuring your book’s success.
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
- Share your thoughts about this conversation in the comments here
- Order a signed copy of Pick the Lock from Aaron’s Books
- Hear more about A.S. King’s book launch in this conversation on the #AmWriting podcast
- Hear how A.S. King revised Pick the Lock in this conversation on Your Next Draft
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Do you need to hire a line editor? Or should you line edit your manuscript yourself?
After all, you want to write an excellent novel. You know that great writing takes shape in revision, and you don’t want to skimp on any layers of editing.
Nor do you want to overestimate your writing skills and leave your book littered with clunky sentences that a wordsmithing line editor could polish into shining brilliance.
On the other hand, you also don’t want to mess up your editing process or your manuscript by getting the editing phases wrong.
You don’t want to hire the wrong people at the wrong time and reduce the efficiency of your edits by getting them out of order.
You don’t want to waste money you don’t need to spend on professional editing you don’t actually need.
And you definitely don’t want to make your manuscript worse by getting feedback that doesn’t match your vision.
So: do you need to hire a line editor?
Well, maybe. Or maybe not.
In this episode, I’m breaking down what line editing is, what line editors do, and what your book and your editing process truly need.
You’ll hear:
- What great line editors can do
- The risk of working with a line editor
- The key that makes great line editing possible
- How to find your best line editor
- And more
Whether you hire a line editor or line edit your novel yourself, the principles I share in today’s episode will help you ensure every word you choose is the right one for your story and your voice.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- See my sample developmental and line editing feedback: alicesudlow.com/83
- Discover Story Clarity and Story Refinery
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"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
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“Revising is about making sure that you're saying what you want to say in the way you want to say it. . . . To me, revision is the sport. It's the impact. It's the reason we're writers.”
Have you ever read a book and thought, Holy cow, this is amazing. How did this author DO this?
Or, maybe you’ve read a book and thought, Wow, I wish I could write (or in my case, edit) a book like this, but this is incredible and it might be beyond me?
Well, that’s how I feel when I read an A.S. King novel.
She’s an impressively decorated author of novels for middle grade, teens, and adults. She’s the only author to win the Printz award for young adult literature twice—and that’s just two of many, many accolades.
She writes brilliant stories that are surrealist and puzzling and weird, and at the same time beautiful and heartfelt and honest and real.
And when I heard that she loves revision, I knew I had to bring her to Your Next Draft and ask her: how does she do it?
How does she manage to craft such intricately plotted, complex stories?
How does she innovate so much on a technical level, and keep me hooked on a brilliant story all the way through?
How does she turn her completely pantsed first drafts into award-winning novels—and then hit it out of the park again, and again, and again?
So I was thrilled when A.S. King agreed to join me on the podcast and spill all the details of her revision process.
In our conversation, she shares:
- Her five-draft revision process
- How she cuts 20% from her first draft (she uses the word “chainsaw” 😳)
- What it’s like to get feedback from her editor at her publishing house
- What she does with feedback she disagrees with
- The time when adding 14 sentences was the key that made a novel work
- The difference between taking your readers on a picnic and telling them a story
- And so much more
Plus, I’ve created a revision reading list to pair with this conversation so you can see A.S. King’s specific editorial choices at work in her novels.
A.S. King is an absolute gem of a human as well as a brilliant writer. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.
P.S. My very favorite part of our conversation begins at 1 hr 21 min. Here’s a sneak peek:
“In the end, it is all about your voice and your experiences and your feelings. That's it. It's all writing is.”
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get your A.S. King Revision Reading List: alicesudlow.com/82
- Find Amy on her website, Instagram, and Bluesky
- Order signed copies of Pick the Lock and all her books from Aaron’s Books
- Check ou
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Ever wondered what an editor actually does all day?
What it looks like to spend all day supporting writers in their stories?
Or what your editor’s doing in all that time when they’re not sharing their feedback with you?
If those questions pique your curiosity, you’re in luck. I’m pulling back the curtain to share a week in my life as a developmental editor and book coach.
You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what I do with writers and what I’m working on when I’m not on calls giving feedback.
Plus, I’ll share all the best editing strategies, tips, and tricks that emerge as I dig into stories with writers this week. You’ll hear:
- How I use what we know about a story to solve for what we don’t know
- Whether it’s okay to “tell,” not just “show,” a character’s emotions
- How your character’s emotional intelligence impacts how your reader feels
- A simple way to track the emotional tension in your story
- How I draw out every last drop of meaning and emotion to make scenes unputdownable
- What it means to be “done” editing your book
I love my job and can’t imagine spending my days any other way. I hope you enjoy this peek at what it really looks like to be an editor and book coach!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Want to work with me in Story Clarity and Story Refinery? Tell me about your story »
- Get a boost of editing joy in your inbox every Tuesday. Join the newsletter »
Further Listening:
- Ep. 32: How Spider-Man (And All Great Stories) Makes Us Laugh, Cry, and Feel the Feels
- Ep. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene
- A week in the life of another editor and book coach: A Week in the Life: 5 Days Behind the Scenes with Savannah
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When to use frameworks to solve your story problems—and when to trust yourself and lean on your own story authority.
You’ve heard of Save the Cat! Story Grid. Blueprint for a Book.
These are all frameworks designed to help you edit a novel. If you don’t know these names, I bet you know others—Hero’s Journey, Freytag’s Pyramid, 7 Point Story Structure, Dan Harmon’s Story Circle, there are dozens more.
Each one promises that if you use it, you’ll be able to craft better stories. And because we want to write good books, the writers I know are constantly learning new frameworks and analyzing their stories through them.
I use frameworks like these in the editing process, after the first draft is already written. But I’ve seen many writers use them earlier, even before they begin writing.
It’s a tempting thought, right? What if you could use these frameworks to solve your story problems and make writing your first draft so much easier? What if you could build a story from the ground up that already fulfills everything those frameworks require from the very first draft?
Would that shortcut the creative process? Would it help you create a better story faster?
Or would it get in the way of your storytelling? Are there moments in the creative process when frameworks like these might just do more harm than good?
I’m a big fan of storytelling frameworks. But today, we’re taking a hard look at them to see what they offer, what they can’t do for us, and how to tap into your true authority as the writer of your own story.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Find B is for Book Coach on Substack »
Further listening:
- Ep. 79: Ask This Question When You’re Overwhelmed by Your Story
- B is for Book Coach: How to Take the Drama Out of Cutting and Rewriting Content
- B is for Book Coach: Comparison Isn't a Thief
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Escape analysis paralysis with one powerful question. It’s deceptively simple—and yet it unlocks everything.
If you’re like most of the writers I work with, you’re pretty savvy about story structure. You know your Story Grid, your Save the Cat!, your Hero’s Journey. You’ve probably analyzed your story six ways to Sunday, and you’ve got the spreadsheets and outlines and diagrams and graphs to prove it.
And all that analysis has leveled up your story significantly. You’ve solved major structural problems by applying your extensive knowledge of story theory.
But I also bet there are still some issues nagging at you. Issues that you still can’t crack, no matter how many times you map every act and arc in your story on a spreadsheet.
In fact, if you’re still spreadsheeting your story by this point, you’re probably starting to spin out a little. You’ve analyzed and analyzed and analyzed again, and now all that story structure that was supposed to make revising your story clear and straightforward has turned against you, leaving you overwhelmed and lost.
What if you could break through all that overwhelm and find your footing in your story again?
What if you could snap out of analysis paralysis and reconnect with your characters and the inspiration that compelled you to write in the first place?
And what if you could do all of that by asking just one deceptively simple question?
You can, I promise. And in this episode, I’ll show you how.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the question that unlocks everything in a printable format: alicesudlow.com/79
- Go deeper in character development: How to Flesh Out Flat Characters With Just 4 Questions
- Go deeper in my favorite story structure: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene
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The best novels combine rock-solid story structure with scenes that are unputdownable on every page. Here’s how one writer and two editors polished a story at every level.
If you want to move your reader in every moment, keep them hooked on every page, you need to refine your scenes until each one is unputdownable.
And that refinement? It’s SUCH a joy. It’s my favorite thing to do and it will transform your entire story.
But in order to make every scene matter, you first need to make sure you have all the right scenes in all the right places.
The big-picture story structure can’t be kinda-sorta-maybe working. It needs to be locked in, watertight.
Otherwise, all those beautiful scenes won’t build to anything. They might be pretty on their own. But they won’t create compelling narrative drive, an irresistible build to the cathartic payoff your readers can’t get enough of.
So how do you do it? How do you get your macro storytelling crystal clear and refine every scene into its most powerful form?
In this episode, I want to share with you the story of how one writer did just that. You’ll hear how Cathryn leveraged multiple revision passes to transform her manuscript from a massive pile of words that made her cringe to a story she’s immeasurably proud of.
It’s also a tale of two editors—because Cathryn worked with both me and my colleague Kim to make her story shine on every level.
Most of all, it’s a story of mastering two storytelling skills—the micro and the macro—and all the story magic you can unlock when you do.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Read Cathryn’s stories »
- Join Kim’s Novel Hotline Live »
- Work with Kim and me together »
Further listening:
- Ep. 76: Scene Workshop: Hook Your Readers in Chapter One with Cathryn deVries
- Ep. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene
- Ep. 60: The Most Joyful Editing Feedback I Ever Give
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It’s the most common developmental editing service you’ll see. Know what to look for and when (or if) you need one.
If you google “developmental editor” and start looking through editors’ websites, you’ll see a common service appear again and again:
A manuscript evaluation.
(Or assessment, or diagnostic, or critique. A rose by any other name, etc.)
Typically, in a manuscript evaluation, an editor will offer to read your manuscript and tell you what’s working and what to focus on next to make it even better.
It sounds like the dream, right? Someone who will read the book you’ve spent months and months writing, tell you what they think of it, and give you a to-do list.
And manuscript evaluations sell like hotcakes because what they’re offering is exactly what writers want.
Or at least—
what writers think they want.
But when you don’t know what you really need, you risk wasting hundreds or thousands of dollars on a service that leaves you disappointed, stuck in the same spot, or even feeling false confidence that your story’s problems have all been solved when they’re not.
What if you don’t need someone else’s to-do list for your story? What if you have access to all the evaluation you need right now, without paying a single cent?
And if you don’t need someone else’s to-do list, what do you need instead?
In this episode, I’m giving you a crash course on manuscript evaluations. You’ll hear:
- What they are,
- When they work,
- Why they go wrong,
- And the rare occasion when I will agree to do one.
Here’s the thing: there are no regulations in the author services industry.
That means it’s up to YOU to vet every professional you work with.
I’m equipping you with everything you need to know to make the most of manuscript evaluations—or find the service you need instead.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- See what I do inside Story Clarity (instead of doing manuscript evaluations)
- Hear author John Green read from editor Julie Strauss-Gabel’s editorial letter for The Fault in Our Stars
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You get one shot to grab their attention. Don’t waste it with characters staring off into space.
You've put all this work into uncovering your character's internal arc. You know them SO WELL.
When you step into a scene, you're giving your absolute all to uncovering the deep meaning and purpose behind it, the profound arc of character transformation that's happening in even the smallest moments.
Yet in doing all that . . . you've lost the plot. You've crafted complex inner worlds for your characters, but all they're literally doing is staring off into space.
And you're worried that in the times when you most want to hook your readers—like your absolutely critical opening pages—you're boring them instead.
Bored readers put books down.
So what do you do? Throw in some discord and explosions to create external chaos? Cut the scene and start the story at a different point entirely?
Or is there a way to use what you know of your character's internal arc to find the perfect external action that will hook your readers and keep them turning pages?
This is exactly the challenge Cathryn deVries encountered in the first chapter of her novel. So we workshopped it together—and in this episode, you'll hear how we solved it, and how you can hook your readers, too.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Notes to Novel with Savannah Gilbo
- Read Cathryn’s scene: alicesudlow.com/76
- Read When a Slave Falls, Cathryn’s award-winning short story
- Read Lightning Hunter, a story set in the same world as the scene we workshopped
- Find Cathryn on her website, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
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It’s unpopular, but essential if you’re aiming to craft your best work.
Picture this: one year from now, you’re holding your book in your hands. You see the gorgeous cover art, feel the slight resistance when you open the cover for the first time, run your hands over the soft, smooth paper, flip the pages and smell that delicious new book smell.
Does that sound amazing? Holding your book in your hands just one year from now?
Being done soon is so tempting. But just being done soon won’t lead to a book you’re proud of, a book you love, a book that accomplishes everything you know it can be.
Does it sound amazing to imagine holding your book in your hands six months from now . . . and still not feel creatively fulfilled?
To flip the pages and know that there’s more you could still fix?
To skim the lines and cringe just a little?
To picture the glorious story vivid in your imagination and wonder what your readers will miss because you couldn’t quite capture it on the page?
No, that doesn’t sound delightful? I didn’t think so.
The book world is filled with services promising to help you finish your book fast. If your dream is to hold your book in your hands this year, there are tons of people out there who can help you make that happen.
But after years of helping writers who seek to craft their very best books, the ones they’re truly proud of, I’ve found that speed is not what you need to get there.
In this episode, I’ll show you:
- What the true work of revising a novel really is,
- Why trying to speed through it will actually hold you back,
- And what to do instead—so that when you finish, the book you share with the world is one you’re immeasurably proud of.
It’s not the popular path. But it’s the only path I know to craft the books you’re truly capable of writing.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Edit your novel with me: alicesudlow.com/contact
- See if I’m the right editor for your book: alicesudlow.com/waitlist
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"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
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Your book is important. But sometimes, worthy interruptions will delay it for a while.
For the last few months, this podcast feed has been quiet. It went dark with no notice in mid-June.
I didn’t mean to disappear on you. In fact, I didn’t plan to pause the podcast at all.
But a family emergency struck, and all my best-laid plans for summer 2024 changed in a matter of hours.
This summer, I learned what it takes to edit when your world is in crisis.
Happily, for me and my family, the crisis is over. But emergencies are bound to happen to everyone at some point.
And so in today’s episode, I’m sharing my best advice for you and your editing should a crisis come to you.
In it, you’ll hear:
- What in the world happened to the podcast (and me) this summer,
- 5 tips for editing when you’re in crisis mode,
- And what you’ll hear on Your Next Draft this fall.
I hope you don’t need these tips for a long time. But if you do find your world falling apart around you, I hope these tips help you find a way forward for your story and yourself.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- When the crisis hit, I couldn’t keep up with the podcast, but I did share updates with my email newsletter subscribers. Want to get all the episodes of Your Next Draft, plus editing tips that you won’t hear on the podcast? Subscribe to my newsletter: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheet
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Make every page of your novel un-put-down-able with the Scene Revision Worksheet.
12 simple, but powerful questions will show you exactly where your scenes are working—and where they’re going off the rails.
Plus, a bonus 3-day email mini-course will show you how to use the worksheet to edit your scenes.
Get the worksheet + mini-course »
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Your reader experiences your story one scene at a time. Make every scene un-put-down-able.
Great stories are made of great scenes.
Sure, your novel has a clever plot with twists and turns from the first page to the last. But the way your readers will experience that plot is . . .
. . . one scene at a time.
Which means if you want your readers to fall in love with your novel, you need to captivate them with scenes they can’t put down.
How do you do it?
I’ll show you in this episode. I’m analyzing a scene from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo to show you how and why it works—
—and how you can create the same magic with your own scenes.
You’ll learn:
- The timeless structure behind this modern scene
- How every single detail in the scene enhances that structure
- What Taylor Jenkins Reid shares through exposition—and what she leaves out
- How to draw inspiration from this scene to craft an exceptional scene of your own
- And more!
This episode is a sneak peek inside my upcoming Scene Mastery Workshop. In fact, this is the first scene we’ll study in the workshop. Then, we’ll dig into seven more scenes from other great novels.
So if you enjoy this episode, you’ll love the workshop.
Want to master editing scenes this summer? Click here to get all the details and apply »
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Apply to join the Scene Mastery Workshop: alicesudlow.com/workshop
- Ep. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every Story
- Ep. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene
Send me a Text Message!
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And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Show and tell your readers why time matters to your characters.
Time matters.
When you look up and it’s dark outside, time matters to you.
When your characters look around and summer is turning into fall, time matters to them.
When your readers are reading a novel and they can’t figure out how time is passing? Well, time matters to them, too—mostly because they’re confused.
In this episode, I’m sharing two ways to make time matter to your readers the way it matters to your characters.
That is, how to make time matter because it impacts your characters’ lives. (And not because your readers can’t get a grip on what’s happening in your story.)
You’ll learn:
- How to blend showing and telling (it’s a spectrum, not a binary)
- 2 techniques to convey time passing using showing and telling
- How to choose which calendars to use in your story
- And more!
Your readers want to understand why time matters to your characters. Show and tell them, and they’ll feel it passing just as your characters do.
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Ep. 70: Why You Must Show Time Passing in Your Novel
- Ep. 71: 3 “Telling” Ways to Convey Time Passing in Your Novel
Send me a Text Message!
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Don’t lose your readers. Just tell them what time it is.
The passage of time seems intuitive. It just happens, right? (Like, whether you want it to or not. Time and tide wait for no man, etc.)
Here’s the thing, though. If you don’t tell your readers that time is passing in your novel . . .
. . . they won’t know.It seems wild, I know. It feels like time passing should be obvious. But I promise you, it’s not.
Luckily, conveying the passage of time to your readers is simple (and it doesn’t take a lot of words to do it!). And in this episode, I’ll tell you exactly how it’s done.
You’ll learn:
- Why you need to both show and tell time passing in your story
- 2 ways your readers understand that time is passing
- 3 techniques to “tell” your readers time is passing
- And more!
This is one of those elements of storytelling that feels tiny, inconsequential, like your readers will catch on without you needing to think too hard about it.
But trust me, it makes a big difference. I’ve read so many manuscripts that are missing any indicators of time passing. And they make me as a reader feel completely lost.
Don’t lose your readers. Just tell them what time it is.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Ep. 70: Why You Must Show Time Passing in Your Novel
Send me a Text Message!
Support the Show.
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This is often overlooked, but it’s essential for great stories.
How do you make time pass?
Well, when you’re living your regular life in the real world, you don’t have to do anything.
Time is constantly passing, no matter what you do. And when a timer goes off, or you look outside and see the sun’s gone down, or you feel your stomach growl with hunger, you notice time has passed.
You hardly have to think about it. It’s just happening, all around you, all the time.
In your novel, though—well, there, you are responsible for charting the passage of time. You are the filter who determines how time passes.
More than that, you are responsible for telling your readers how much time is going by.
It’s an essential part of storytelling, and yet it’s often overlooked. So in this episode, we’re talking about time.
You’ll learn:
- Why writers often forget to mention time passing
- 3 ways you can use time passing to enhance your story
- What happens when you don’t show how time is passing in your story
- 2 kinds of tension you can create using time
- And more!
I’ve read so many manuscripts where I lose track of time and have to ask the writer, “Wait, when does this happen?” Check out this episode and save yourself from this common oversight.
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Write your best stories—and know when to let go and publish them.
In order to write great books, you first have to learn how to write great books.
But when it comes to writing, there’s always something more to learn.
So how do you know when to practice your writing skills—and more importantly, when to publish the stories you’re creating?
That’s what I’m talking about in this episode.
In it, you’ll learn:
- 2 benefits and 1 danger of spending focused time learning new writing skills
- The joy—and risk!—of publishing using the skills you already have
- How to leverage the benefits of both learning and publishing in your writing
- A self-assessment quiz to see what you should focus on next
- And more!
So are you practicing or publishing? There’s no right or wrong answer. It’s just a question of which approach is best for you, right now.
Check out the episode and find out!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Ep. 68: You Can't Skip Learning How to Write a Novel. Here's Why
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And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Before you can master writing great stories, you have to learn to craft great stories.
When I was fifteen, I got my learner’s permit and began learning how to drive a car.
This made me very unhappy.
See, I wanted to know how to drive a car. I didn’t want to learn to drive a car.
Knowing how to drive a car was fun, freeing, and exciting. Learning to drive a car was dangerous, tedious, dangerous, difficult, and also dangerous.
Writers, I find, feel the same way about writing great books.
Writers want to write great books. They don’t want to learn how to write great books.
The stakes aren’t life or death. But the sentiment is the same.
And just like fifteen-year-old me, writers face an uncomfortable truth:
You can’t skip the learning stage of skill development. If you want to write great books, you have to spend time learning to write great books.
In this episode, I’m digging into what it really takes to learn the skill of writing great books—and how to know when you’ve mastered it.
You’ll learn:
- The 2 stages of skill development I see in writers
- Why you just can’t skip the learning stage (no matter how much we all want to!)
- 3 features of the learning stage (yes, features, not bugs!)
- And more!
The amazing book you want to craft is on the other side of the learning stage.
Check out the episode and build the skills that empower you to write it.
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Because working with an editor should be delightful, not scary.
Let's be honest. When you start working with an editor for the first time, it can feel a little scary.
You’re sharing your manuscript, the project you’ve worked so hard on, with a stranger on the internet. You’re inviting another person into a process that up until now has been entirely solo.
And you’re entering an industry of professionals that’s probably entirely new to you. What should you expect? And what’s expected of you?
In this episode, I’m demystifying what it’s like to work with an editor. I’m sharing four tips to help you make the most of your time with your editor—even (or especially!) if you’ve never worked with an editor before.
You’ll learn:
- What NOT to do while you wait for your editor’s feedback
- 10+ things you CAN (and maybe should!) do while you wait
- What to do AFTER you get your feedback to move forward with clarity and confidence
- And more!
Your work with your developmental editor can be one of the most rewarding creative partnerships you’ll ever experience. That may sound hyperbolic, but it’s 100% true.
The first step is simply knowing what to expect. And that’s what you’ll learn in this episode.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Check out my manuscript wishlist: alicesudlow.com/wishlist
- Want me to edit your book? Tell me about your book here: alicesudlow.com/contact
- Ep. 66: 4 Tips to Find the Right Editor for Your Novel
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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What you need to know BEFORE you start working with an editor—and how to tell if they’re the right fit for your novel.
Working with a developmental editor can be the most rewarding part of your editing process.
But if you’ve never worked with an editor before, it can also be . . . intimidating. Confusing. Scary.
After all, you’ve got to hand your manuscript that you’ve worked so hard on to a stranger on the internet and hope their feedback will be helpful and not soul-crushing.
If you’ve ever wondered how to find the right editor for your book—
—or maybe you’ve worked with an editor before, and it wasn’t a great experience—
—then this episode is for you. In it, I’m sharing my top tips to find the right editor for your novel.
You’ll learn:
- What you should know BEFORE you start looking for an editor
- 6 criteria to vet editors to see whether they’re the right fit for you
- 5 questions to ask to make sure you and your editor are on the same page
- And more!
When you find the right editor for your book, the developmental editing process can be so incredibly rewarding. My coaching clients often tell me that the hour we spend together on calls is their favorite hour of the week.
But if you don’t know how any of this works, you might feel a little lost. So let’s make it a little clearer and easier, shall we?
And if you’d like to see if I’m the right editor for your novel, let’s talk!
Go here to check out my manuscript wishlist and see whether I’m a good fit for your
story.
And go here to reach out and tell me about your book!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Check out my manuscript wishlist: alicesudlow.com/wishlist
- Work with me: alicesudlow.com/contact
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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What we get wrong about creativity—and the truth that will make your writing and editing so much more effective.
Do you know how great stories work?
Scratch that. Let’s start with an easier question. Do you know how your stories work?
Not all writers do. Even published authors often struggle to articulate how they created the books their readers love. They rely on intuition, following gut feelings to shape their stories.
But while your intuition can guide you to create a commercially successful novel . . .
. . . I believe there’s a better way. An easier way. A less confusing and chaotic, more reliable and repeatable way.
And that’s what this episode is all about.
In it, you’ll learn:
- What we get wrong about our own creativity
- The truth about writing and art that exceptionally successful writers (probably) don’t want you to know
- What I find most amazing about traditional publishing (seriously, I think this is bonkers)
- And more!
Your intuition is a powerful storytelling tool. But it’s not your only tool.
And in this episode, I’ll show you why that’s such wonderful news.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Ep. 36: Your Story Has Deep Meaning. Do You Know What It Is?
- Ep. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene
P.S. What do you get when an editor and a nuclear physicist walk into a swing dance? Powerful truths about jazz music and storytelling, it turns out. Check out the episode to see what I mean.
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And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Why group coaching might be the perfect way to get feedback on your writing.
When I was first getting started, I pictured editing like this:
A writer writes a manuscript and sends it to their editor. The editor writes feedback and sends it back. The writer takes that feedback and uses it to edit their manuscript.
That’s the classic form of editing. But it’s far from the only form of editing.
Editing doesn’t even have to be one-on-one. In fact, sometimes group coaching can be exactly what you need!
In this episode, I’m breaking down the pros and cons of group coaching for writers.
You’ll learn:
- How group coaching combines the best features of critique groups + one-on-one editing
- What you CAN’T learn one-on-one (but you can learn in a group!)
- One group coaching caveat to watch out for
- And more!
Group coaching isn’t better than one-on-one editing, or vice versa. It’s just different—a different experience that can meet different needs in your writing in a different way.
In fact, you might decide to try both group and one-on-one editing at different points in your writing career. So it’s great to know what your options are!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Join the Scene Mastery Workshop waitlist: alicesudlow.com/workshop
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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The simple editing process to turn your messy first draft into a second draft you love.
“I’ve written first drafts before, but I’ve never edited a second draft. How do you actually do it?”
A writer asked me this a few days ago. And they’re not alone—it’s a question I hear a lot.
How do you actually edit a novel? Is there a process? A system? A strategy? Something, anything, to guide you after you finish the first draft?
Yes. Yes, there’s a process to edit a novel.
Better yet, it’s a simple process. (That doesn’t mean it’s easy—don’t get those confused. But it’s not complicated.)
And in this episode, I’ll walk you through this process step by step.
You’ll learn:
- The 5-step editing process I use with all my one-on-one clients
- How to customize this process to make it work for YOU
- The trap you risk falling into if you don’t use this process
- Where the REAL work of developmental editing happens (hint: it’s not about changing the words in your manuscript!)
- Why this process will make your editing clearer, more effective, and more efficient
- And more!
If you’ve ever felt lost, confused, daunted, or completely overwhelmed by the very idea of editing your novel—
—or if you’ve been editing, but you can’t tell whether you’re making progress or just spinning your wheels—
—then this episode is for you.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Work with me: alicesudlow.com/contact
- Ep. 31: 3 Ways to Create a Scene List That Makes Your Editing Process (Almost) Easy
- Story Structure: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene
- Character Arcs: Three-Act or Four-Act Structure: Which Is Best for Your Novel?
- Theme: Your Story Has Deep Meaning. Do You Know What It Is?
- Point of View: The Most Important Principle When Choosing Your Point of View
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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It sounds scary, but it’s actually MAJOR editing progress.
What if the best way to make progress on your novel . . .
. . . is to go back to the beginning?
Sometimes, the most effective editing strategy is a page one rewrite.
Yes, that means exactly what it sounds like. You open a blank document and begin writing an entirely fresh manuscript.
It might feel like you’re moving backwards. But you’re not. And in this episode, I’m going to prove it to you.
You’ll learn:
- Why I CELEBRATE when a writer starts a page one rewrite (and why you should too!)
- Why going back to the beginning is an unavoidable part of the editing process
- 2 tips to help you make the most of a page one rewrite
- Why your previous draft isn’t wasted (even if you’re starting fresh with a blank page!)
- And more!
If a page one rewrite is your best next step, consider this episode your pep talk.
You’ve got this. And it’s going to be so, so worth it.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Ep. 61: What It REALLY Means to Make Progress Editing Your Novel
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Editing progress doesn’t always look like you’d expect. Here’s how to recognize it.
If your editing is going great, you’ll enjoy this episode. Honestly, though, if editing feels like the worst thing in the world right now, you’ll love this episode even more.
Here’s what’s in store: How do you know whether you’re really making progress editing your novel?
In the episode, you’ll learn:
- Why editing progress does NOT look like what you might expect
- What counts as editing progress
- The two things that DON’T count as progress
- And more!
If you’re feeling stuck, stagnant, or overwhelmed, don’t miss this episode.
I hope it gives you just the boost you need to start this year of writing and editing strong.
One more thing: This year, I’m moving Your Next Draft to a biweekly podcasting schedule. Rather than sharing a new episode every week, I’ll have a new episode every other week.
I’m making this shift to allow me to spend more time with my editing clients. You’ll still get to hear from me on the podcast! I’ll still be sharing the same actionable editing content designed to help you navigate your own novel editing process.
It’ll just be every other week rather than every week.
To hear more about this shift, check out the episode.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Join my email list for weekly editing tips: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheet
- Join my waitlist and be the first to know about my openings for new editing clients: alicesudlow.com/waitlist
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Here’s what happens when you absolutely NAIL IT in your story.
Sometimes, you just nail it.
The ideas click. The words flow. The revision works.
Those days are my favorite days to give my clients feedback. When the pieces finally fall into place and the story is transformed for the better.
On those days, I get to share my most joyful editing feedback.
And in this episode, I’m sharing that feedback with you.
You’ll learn:
- Why objective and subjective feedback are essential for great stories
- The difference between your assessment of your story, your beta readers’ assessment, and your editor’s assessment
- What happens when you and I both know your revision works
- And more!
Most of all, though, in this episode, I’m celebrating you. I’m celebrating all the hard work and incredible progress you’ve made in your editing this year.
It’s a short one, but a good one, and a great way to wrap up your year of writing.
Happy editing, and I’ll see you in 2024!
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Your editing process has more in common with building a business than you might think.
Editing a novel and building a business . . . well, they’re actually not all that different.
That’s something I’ve been thinking about all year. As I’ve coached writers through the editing process, I’ve been struck again and again by how similar novel editing and business building really are.
After all, they’re both large creative projects. The kind that demand a lot: grit, perseverance, continual learning. And the kind that lead to incredible rewards for those with the courage to pursue them.
Which means the lessons I’ve learned in this year of building my business also apply to you in your writing. (And I’ve learned a lot of things!)
In this episode, I’m sharing five of my business-building lessons that will apply to your novel, too.
You’ll learn:
- Why you might be closer to building your own business than you think
- My #1 marketing tip for a business or a book
- The mistake I made at the beginning of my business and how I’m fixing it now (hint: frozen burritos may be delicious, but they are not entirely nutritious)
- And more!
Your Next Draft is all about inviting you in to the editing tools and strategies I’m using in my own editing practice. And in this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and getting a little more vulnerable than usual.
I hope this inspires you to reflect on your year of writing and editing, too. What have you learned this year? What new editing wisdom are you taking into 2024?
Links mentioned in the episode:
- For a podcast all about building an editing business, check out The Editing Podcast with Louise Harnby and Denise Cowle.
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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The year’s most popular editing tip, plus four more strategies I don’t want you to miss.
What’s the best editing tip you’ve learned this year?
If you’ve been listening to Your Next Draft all year, there are quite a few to pick from—fifty, in fact.
So in this episode, I’m taking a look back at this year on Your Next Draft. I’ve selected the top five editing tips from 2023, tips you can put to use in your writing right away.
In it, you’ll hear:
- The most popular editing tip from 2023
- The editing principle I use with every manuscript and every client
- The editing strategy a client pitched me (that has since become one of my favorite tools!)
- And more!
It’s been a great year on the podcast. I can’t wait to share more editing strategies with you in 2024!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get my Scene Analysis Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheet
- Find J.D. Edwin’s books: jdedwin.com
- Ep. 8: What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing Scenes
- Ep. 23: 3 Simple Steps to Edit Absolutely Anything in Your Novel
- Ep. 20: Listen in on a Real-Life Scene Edit with Author and Editor Kim Kessler
- Ep. 33: The 3-Step Formula to Evoke Emotion and Make Your Readers Feel
- Ep. 35: How to Create an Editing Process That Works for You With Author JD Edwin
- Ep. 50: Use This One Editing Tip for Everything You Write
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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What dozens of manuscripts and dozens of writers all have in common.
This weekend, I celebrated the one year anniversary of launching my editing business.
And since the one year mark is a pretty major milestone, and we’re nearing the end of 2023, I’ve been looking back.
I’ve edited dozens of novels and coached dozens of writers this year. And while the stories vary widely, there’s one theme I’ve encountered in them all—and it applies to your story, too.
In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from a year of coaching writers and editing novels.
You’ll hear:
- What new and experienced writers both have in common
- Why it’s helpful to you and me when I share everything I know about editing here on the podcast
- Why all the writing craft resources in the world can’t put editors out of business
- And more!
It’s been a wonderful year of editing, full of amazing stories and equally amazing writers. And I can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Want me to edit your novel? Reach out and tell me about your story: alicesudlow.com/contact
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Four questions to make every scene of your novel un-put-down-able.
Some of your scenes are really exciting. They’re the big ones, the reasons why your readers picked up your book: the first kiss, the epic battle, the discovery of the body.
And some of your scenes . . . well, they’re the stuff that happens in between the exciting scenes.
In those scenes, the story slows down. Sometimes it slows down a lot. To glacial pace. To “eh, maybe I’ll finish reading this later” pace.
How do you keep your readers hooked? How do you keep them turning pages even during the scenes that are action-light and exposition-heavy?
In this episode, I’ll walk you through four questions to make sure even your “slow” scenes are un-put-down-able.
You’ll learn:
- How to evaluate whether a “slow” scene is even necessary—or if you can cut it entirely
- The 4-step process to edit your “slow” scenes to keep your readers hooked
- 2 things every “slow” scene needs
- And more!
Your story is worth reading from cover to cover. Here’s how to make sure you don’t lose your readers during a dull moment midway through.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the Scene Analysis Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheet
- See whether I’m the right editor for you: alicesudlow.com/contact
- Ep. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every Story
- Ep. 11: How to Edit a Scene of a Novel, Part 1
- Ep. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Make your readers care about your story by getting specific about what your protagonist wants—and why.
What does your protagonist want?
I bet you have an answer for that question. I also bet that your answer is a little . . . generic.
See, the thing your protagonist wants is good. They might want to save a victim from a villain, or fall in love, or get a promotion, or solve a mystery. We all agree those are good things to want.
But that doesn’t move us, doesn’t make us care about your protagonist and their goal, unless we know why they want it.
So in this episode, we’re digging in deep to find out not only what your character wants, but why they want it.
You’ll learn:
- The one question I love to ask to figure out what your character really wants
- Why generic wants won’t move your readers
- How to make your story stand out from the crowd by getting specific
- And more!
You might just discover new layers to your character you didn’t even know were there.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the Character Arc Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/characterworksheet
- Ep. 21: How to Identify Your Protagonist's Want and Need (And Why Those Matter to Your Plot)
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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The 7 layers of analysis I use to edit a fourth draft of a novel.
I don’t know about you, but right now, my schedule is full. My days are packed with editing. I have several manuscripts I’m absolutely loving on my desk right now, so many pages to read, and so many notes to share with writers.
With all this editing, I didn’t have time to put together a typical episode of Your Next Draft for you. So . . . I’m doing something a little different today.
I’ve decided to pull back the curtain on the editing I’m doing right now, this week, on the manuscript I’m currently reading.
In this episode, you’ll get a glimpse of how I think about a manuscript as I edit it. You’ll see:
- The 7 (yes, 7!) levels of analysis I’m applying as I read
- The stage of the editing process this manuscript is in
- How I know what levels of editing are right for this manuscript at this stage
- The things I’m not editing in this manuscript right now
- That I really, really, really love editing (so much that I peaked on the mic a few times as I recorded. Sorry!)
- And more!
If you’ve ever wondered what a developmental editor is thinking when they’re editing a novel . . .
. . . well, this is it. These are my thoughts, almost in-the-moment, as I edit a manuscript I’m loving.
Huge shoutout to author J. D. Edwin, whose manuscript this episode is about, and who gave me the all clear to share a glimpse at our process together. She’ll be delighted if you check out her books at jdedwin.com.
They’re really good books. (Yes, I’m a bit biased, because I edited them. But still. They’re really good.)
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Check out J. D. Edwin’s books: jdedwin.com
- Listen to J. D. talk about her editing process: How to Create an Editing Process That Works for You With Author JD Edwin
- See whether I’m the right editor for your novel: alicesudlow.com/wishlist
- Reach out and let’s talk editing your novel: alicesudlow.com/contact
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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The minimum viable character questionnaire to develop all your side characters.
How do you flesh out a flat character? Create a cast your readers will fall in love with? Make each character realistic, well-developed, and believable?
There are tons of character development questionnaires and personality tests and character sketch templates out there.
They’ll ask you everything from “What’s your character’s deepest fear?” to “What’s their hair color?” to “What toppings do they most hate on pizza?”
But you don’t need all those questions in order to create a richly-developed character. Truly, you don’t.
In this episode, I’m sharing the shortest possible character development exercise.
I call it the Minimum Viable Character Development Questionnaire. (There are more words in that title than questions in the questionnaire.)
You’ll learn:
- The 4 essential questions you need to answer to flesh out any character
- The most important element of characterization
- How to give a flat, unremarkable cast of side characters unique and memorable personalities
- And more!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the Character Arc Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/characterworksheet
- Ep. 18: 2 Essential Questions to Craft a Compelling Character Arc
- Ep. 21: How to Identify Your Protagonist's Want and Need (And Why Those Matter to Your Plot)
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Use the limitations of your POV to enhance your story.
Your story’s point of view impacts everything. It shapes how your readers get access to information about your story. And it shapes what information they have access to.
And since at its core, storytelling is just telling your reader information about a story, this is huge.
In this episode, I’m tackling a common POV problem I’ve seen in many, many manuscripts.
You’ll learn:
- 3 reasons why POV is so tricky to master
- The “easy out” POV writers choose when other points of view feel challenging to use
- Why limits are actually good for your writing
- And more!
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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How to make the most of your editor’s feedback—even if you disagree with it.
If you want to make the most of your editor’s feedback, there’s one phrase not to say.
It’s natural. It’s normal. It’s something I’ve definitely said in other areas of my life.
But when you’re collaborating with an editor to make your novel the best it can be, this phrase won’t help you.
And in this episode, I’m sharing what this pesky phrase is and why it’s so dangerous.
You’ll learn:
- One thing not to say to your editor—and what to say instead
- 3 reasons why we want to say the wrong thing
- The qualities my best editing clients all share (hint: it’s not about their story or their skill!)
- And more!
If you’ve ever wondered how to make the most of working with an editor, this episode is for you. I hope it makes it a little easier—and more exciting!—to get an editor’s feedback.
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Find out more about my editing: alicesudlow.com
- See my editing services: alicesudlow.com/services
- See whether I’m a good fit for your novel: alicesudlow.com/wishlist
- Reach out and let’s chat about whether your novel is a good fit for me: alicesudlow.com/contact
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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How to developmentally edit absolutely ANY piece of writing.
There’s an editing tip that applies to literally every kind of writing.
Bold statement, I know. But I stand by it.
Actually, “tip” is understating the matter. This “tip” is actually a mission-critical principle. It’s essential to every writing project.
Also, it’s my current favorite writing and editing tool. Lately, I’ve been using this every single time I sit down to write something new, and every time I open up a draft to edit.
What is this writing tip, you ask? Well, that's the topic of this episode.
In the episode, you’ll learn:
- 4 problems you’ll face when you don’t use this tip
- 3 ways this tip will make your writing better (and easier!)
- Why this tip might be so darn hard to actually apply (hint: it’s fear)
- How I used this exact tip to write this podcast episode
- And more! (Like, you know, what the tip is!)
This episode is extra-special—and not just because I love this editing tip.
Today, Your Next Draft hits a major milestone: fifty episodes!
Would you celebrate with me by leaving a rating and review?
Here’s how:
- If you’re using an Apple device, tap right here to open the podcast.
- Scroll down nearly to the bottom.
- Tap the number of stars you’d like to give.
- Write a quick review. Even one sentence means a lot!
If you’re not using an Apple device, feel free to send me an email at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me what you love about the podcast. We’ll have a party in my email inbox!
Here’s to fifty more! 🎉
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Join my email list and get my free guide to edit your novel: alicesudlow.com/10steps
- Ep. 36: Your Story Has Deep Meaning. Do You Know What It Is?
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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A simple decision-making framework to help you find YOUR best writing path.
Yesterday, I shared a framework to help you make any decision about your writing career.
Well—yesterday, I shared part one of that framework.
And today, I’m back on the podcast with part two!
In yesterday’s episode, I coached you through how to identify your values in your writing. What’s truly important to you?
And in today’s episode, I’ll coach you through identifying your needs. What do you need most in your writing, editing, and publishing process right now?
When you know what you value and what you need, making decisions about your writing journey becomes almost easy.
You’ll know what courses you need. What book professionals you want to hire. What specific areas of learning and development you want to focus on.
Ready for complete clarity about your writing journey? Check out the episode.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Join Notes to Novel: alicesudlow.com/notestonovel
- Ep. 48: How to Choose the Right Writing Resources for YOU Right Now, Part 1
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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How to answer the question, “When should I work with an editor?”
Hire an editor. Join a writing course. Work with a book coach. Gather beta readers. Join a writing group.
There are so many resources to help you write and edit an amazing novel.
This is great news when you know exactly what resource you need. If you need a very specific type of support, I can almost guarantee that it exists.
But it’s terrible news when you don’t know what you need. When you don’t know what to look for, all the options are just overwhelming.
So what’s the solution? How do you cut through the overwhelm and find the perfect writing resource for you, right now, at this very moment in your writing career?
Well, that’s what I’m covering in this episode.
I’m going to walk you through my favorite decision-making framework. It’s the answer I give anytime someone asks, “How do I know when to hire an editor?”
And it will help you make any decision in your entire writing career (and maybe in life, too!).
Plus, I’ll show you exactly how to use this framework in a real-life example, a decision you get to make right now:
Should you join Notes to Novel before the doors close this Thursday?I won’t tell you whether you should join or not. That’s up to you.
What I will do is help you discover what’s most important to you. Then, I’ll show you whether Notes to Novel is a good fit for that.
Think of this episode as a one-on-one coaching session with me where I’ll help you figure out whether the Notes to Novel course is right for you.
There’s no one right answer here. Just a process of discernment you can use for this decision—and every decision you make about your writing journey.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Join Notes to Novel: alicesudlow.com/notestonovel
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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See the masterful story structure that undergirds the opening scene of How to Train Your Dragon.
Great stories are built on great story structure. And my favorite story structure framework is one that you can apply on every level of story.
It’s called the six elements of story, and it’s an editing tool you can use on every layer of your story.
To prove it, I’m doing a deep dive into the structure of How to Train Your Dragon. First, I broke down the six elements of the movie as a whole. Then, I took a closer look at the first act of the movie.
And in this episode, I’m breaking down the opening scene.
You’ll learn:
- The essential value shifts that change from the start of the scene to the end
- The critical, life-or-death choice Hiccup must make in the very first scene of the movie
- How that choice sets up everything to come
- And more!
Want more? You can see my full analysis of How to Train Your Dragon all on one spreadsheet. Go to alicesudlow.com/dragon to get the spreadsheet.
Then, go find the six elements of story in your scenes!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Watch the opening scene of How to Train Your Dragon
- Watch the resolution of the opening scene
- Get the full How to Train Your Dragon analysis: alicesudlow.com/dragon
- Ep. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every Story
- Ep. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene
- Ep. 43: Why the 6 Elements of Story Are the Key to All Great Stories
- Ep. 45: How the 6 Elements of Story Work in How to Train Your Dragon
- Ep. 46: How the 6 Elements of Story Work in Act 1 of How to Train Your Dragon
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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The story structure that makes the first act of How to Train Your Dragon work.
One of my favorite things about the six elements of story structure is the fact that they work everywhere.
You can use them to structure your entire novel. You can use them to structure each act. And you can use them to structure each scene.
And to prove it, I’m breaking down the first act of How to Train Your Dragon to show you the six elements at work.
You’ll learn:
- What values shift in the first act (and why those changes are good and bad)
- The crisis choice Hiccup must make, and the many risks at stake
- How the inciting incident and resolution make the value shifts crystal clear
- And more!
Plus, you can get my full spreadsheet analyzing How to Train Your Dragon at alicesudlow.com/dragon.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the full How to Train Your Dragon analysis: alicesudlow.com/dragon
- Watch the opening scene of How to Train Your Dragon
- Ep. 45: How the 6 Elements of Story Work in How to Train Your Dragon
- Ep. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every Story
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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See the story structure that makes this brilliant movie work.
The six elements of story are the essentials of great story structure. And in the last few episodes of Your Next Draft, I’ve shared a lot of theory about them: what they are, how they work, and where to use them.
But theory only gets you so far. Story structure makes a lot more sense when you can see it at work.
So in this episode, I’m breaking down the movie How to Train Your Dragon so you can see the six elements in practice.
You’ll learn:
- How the inciting incident sets up the conflict of the entire story
- The difficult question Hiccup faces in the crisis—and why both his options have consequences
- Why the climax delivers so well that it gives me chills every time I see it
- And more!
See story structure at work in this masterful example. Then, put it to work in your own stories and craft your own masterpieces!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the Scene Analysis Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheet
- Ep. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every Story
- Ep. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene
- Ep. 43: Why the 6 Elements of Story Are the Key to All Great Stories
- Ep. 44: 3 Ways to Apply the 6 Elements of Story Structure to Your Novel
Support the show
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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How to use one story structure tool to edit every part of your story.
The best story structure is the one you can apply to your story.
For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been discussing a lot of story theory on the podcast. Today, I’m getting back to application.
In this episode, I’ll show you three ways to apply the six elements of story to your novel.
You’ll learn:
- How to apply one story structure to your story in three ways
- How I edit even the smallest moments of a story to make them punchy and exciting
- Two bonus ways to use this story structure
- And more!
One of my favorite things about this story structure framework? It works at every level of story.
That means that once you learn it, you’re prepared to edit your entire manuscript, your scenes, and more.
In today’s episode, I’ll show you how.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the Scene Analysis Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheet
- Ep. 8: What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing Scenes
- Ep. 25: 4-Act Structure: The Simple Structure to Edit Your Novel (And Why 3 Acts Aren’t Enough)
- Ep. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene
- Ep. 43: Why the 6 Elements of Story Are the Key to All Great Stories
Get Your Personalized Podcast PlaylistFiction Writing Made Easy is one of my favorite writing podcasts, and I think you’ll love it too. It’s hosted by my friend Savannah Gilbo, a fellow editor and book coach.
And right now, you can get a custom podcast playlist designed for your current writing progress and goals. Best of all, it’s free!
Take the quiz at alicesudlow.com/quiz.
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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The story structure framework I use in every story I edit.
What do fractals and nesting dolls have to do with story structure? More than you might think.
Last week on the podcast, I shared my favorite story structure framework. It’s the same structure I use with all my one-on-one clients and in every novel I edit.
But I didn’t tell you why.
Why is it so powerful? Why do I use it in every story? Why do I love it so much that I’m still talking about it on the podcast?
In this episode, you’ll find out.
You’ll learn:
- Why mastering this one story structure will level up your editing on every level of story
- How this structure works for stories from romance to horror and everything in between
- What this structure has in common with fractals—and why that’s fantastic news for your editing
- And more!
If your story’s structure is feeling a little shaky, give these six elements a try. I think they’ll reveal powerful insights about your story.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the Scene Analysis Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheet
- Ep. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every Story
- Ep. 34: Extended Edition: How Spider-Man’s Leap of Faith Makes Us Feel Triumphant
- Ep. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »
A simple, flexible story structure framework that works for every kind of story.
Great stories are built on great story structure.
And while there are a lot of story structure systems out there . . .
. . . I do have a favorite. It’s one that I use every single day in my editing. I apply it to every story I edit. And it works every time.
In this episode, I’m breaking it all down for you.
You’ll learn:
- The 6 moments every great story includes
- How to apply my most popular worksheet to more than just scenes
- Why a piece of story we talk about the least is actually one of my favorites
- The story structure tools that will empower you to tell absolutely any story you want
- And more!
When I learned this framework, it transformed my entire approach to editing. That’s not a hyperbole—learning this made all the difference for me.
I practice it every time I pick up a story. And I’m always discovering new insights it offers into what makes story work.
And who knows? Maybe this will become your favorite approach to story structure, too!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the Scene Analysis Worksheet (and use it for more than just scenes!): alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheet
- Ep. 15: How Long Should it Take for Your Character to Make a Decision?
- Ep. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every Story
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Story theory doesn’t sap creativity—it helps us reflect truths about the human experience in our art.
When you edit a novel, much of your job is to use story theory to evaluate what’s working and what’s not.
But often, I find that this makes writers uncomfortable. They’re afraid that applying story theory will suck the life, creativity, and originality out of storytelling.
Have you ever felt that way? Ever wondered whether the storytelling principles you use (even the ones I share here on this podcast!) might make your story too predictable, formulaic, and—gasp—boring?
If so, then you’ll love today’s episode of Your Next Draft.
In it, you’ll learn:
- Where story theory actually comes from
- Why story theory works so darn well
- How to test story theory and see how it works—in the real world
- Why using story theory doesn’t have to make your story boring
- And more!
Full confession: this episode was inspired by a moment when I was confronted with story theory in my own life. In fact, my therapist told me something I’ve said to you many times here on this podcast!
So this episode is a little more personal than I typically get here on the podcast. But that moment was such a perfect illustration of why story theory works that I just have to share it with you.
Enjoy this glimpse into how my editor brain works. And see if you can spot story theory around you in your own life!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Ep. 8: What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing Scenes
- Ep. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every Story
- Ep. 32: How Spider-Man (And All Great Stories) Makes Us Laugh, Cry, and Feel the Feels
- Ep. 33: The 3-Step Formula to Evoke Emotion and Make Your Readers Feel
- Ep. 34: Extended Edition: How Spider-Man’s Leap of Faith Makes Us Feel Triumphant
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Build a reading habit that helps you edit amazing novels.
“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
This quote from Stephen King gets shared a lot in writer circles.
But I have a confession: when I became an editor, I fell into a reading slump. Worse, I stayed in the slump for several years. (After all, Stephen King was talking about writers, not editors, right?)
Last year, I read 58 books, nearly three times the books I read the year before. And this year, I’m on track to surpass that again.
So in this episode, I’m sharing all about how to read in a way that benefits your writing and editing.
How did I get out of the reading slump? And how has reading more impacted my editing? It’s all in the episode.
You’ll learn:
- 5 strategies to use your reading to improve your editing
- The mindset shift that transformed how I read
- The 4 types of books I recommend you read
- How to gamify your reading (and why I’m so fun to watch movies with)
- How complicated it used to be to listen to audiobooks (I felt ancient describing this, but it was not that long ago)
Plus, a few years ago, I created a robust reading tracker spreadsheet so I can quickly reference books when I’m editing. Want to steal my reading tracker? Download my "Read Like an Editor" Reading Tracker here.
Let’s be honest: you and I are in the book industry because we love stories.
I hope this episode gives you strategies to leverage your reading in your editing process.
But more than that, I hope it inspires you and helps you reinvigorate your own reading habit.
Happy reading!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Download my “Read Like an Editor” Reading Tracker: alicesudlow.com/reading-tracker
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Does your story’s climax solve a problem that’s different from the one you have?
The last thing you want is for the ending of your novel to disappoint your readers.
Yet as an editor, I’ve seen my fair share of disappointing endings.
And in this episode, I’m sharing one of the most common problems I see with endings that just don’t work.
You’ll learn:
- What happens when your story pays off something you didn’t set up
- 4 questions to ask to spot this problem in your story
- How to choose what your story is really about
- How getting clear on your story’s subplot will help you fix a disappointing ending
- And more!
When I’m working with writers, I often say something like this:
“It feels like this story is solving a problem that’s different from the one we have.”
In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what that means—and how you can spot this issue and fix it in your story.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Ep. 8: What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing Scenes
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Your characters MUST take action in every scene. Look out for scenes where they don’t.
I’ve edited hundreds of scenes. (In fact, editing scenes is one of my favorite things to do!)
In all that editing, I’ve picked up on some patterns. Things that work really well in scene after scene—and common pitfalls that many scenes fall into.
And in this episode, I’m sharing one common scene mistake I often see.
If your scenes get this wrong, they’ll be . . . boring. And no one wants to read a boring scene!
But not to worry—in today’s episode, I’ll show you how to spot this common error and fix it.
You’ll learn:
- The very first question I ask when I’m editing a scene
- Why your characters must DO something in every scene
- One critical mistake I see in scenes (is this happening in your scenes?)
- 5 prompts you can use to fix that problem anywhere you find it
- And more!
Plus, in the episode, I’ll tell you how you can download my most popular editing resource, the Scene Analysis Worksheet.
It includes all the questions I ask when I’m editing a scene so you can polish your scenes like a pro.
Listen to the episode, grab the worksheet, and go master editing scenes!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get my feedback on your scene: alicesudlow.com/scene-critique
- Get the Scene Analysis Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheet
- Ep. 23: 3 Simple Steps to Edit Absolutely Anything in Your Novel
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Gotten feedback from an editor? Use this process to turn developmental feedback into actionable edits.
One of the most exciting moments in your book writing journey is the day that you get feedback from an editor.
But just getting feedback isn’t enough. Once you get it, you have to apply it.
And the challenge of applying your editor’s feedback can feel . . . intimidating. Scary. Overwhelming.
How do you do it? How do you cut through the overwhelm and apply your feedback with confidence?
That’s what this episode is all about.
In it, I’m sharing the three-step process I recommend to my one-on-one clients. You’ll learn:
- What NOT to do right after you get feedback
- Where the REAL work of editing happens
- When to use my favorite editing tool, the trusty scene list
- The bonus fourth step you can add to this process
- And more!
If you’ve ever received developmental feedback on your novel, this is how I recommend you put it to use.
I hope that this takes a little bit of the overwhelm out of the process and helps you create an editing plan that works for you.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the FREE 10-step guide to edit a novel: alicesudlow.com/10steps
- How to Create an Editing Process That Works for You With Author JD Edwin
- 3 Simple Steps to Edit Absolutely Anything in Your Novel
The scene list series:
- 4 Ways to Use a Scene List, Your Indispensable Editing Tool
- 2 Simple Strategies to Format Your Scene List
- 3 Ways to Create a Scene List That Makes Your Editing Process (Almost) Easy
The scene editing series:
- What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing Scenes
- 5 Essential Questions to Fix Boring Scenes
- How to Edit a Scene of a Novel, Part 1
- How to Edit a Scene of a Novel, Part 2
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Your story has the power to shape the way your readers think.
So what is it communicating?
That’s the topic of this episode. In it, I’m sharing why storytelling is absolutely essential for humanity, plus the responsibility—and honor—that gives you as an author.
You’ll learn:
- Why your writing is a gift to the world
- 6 stories I love and how they’ve shaped me
- Why it’s YOUR responsibility to weave a point into your story—and where that responsibility ends
- How author and reader collaborate to create meaning
- And more!
Your writing is powerful. It carries great meaning. And it will have an impact on your readers.
It’s up to you to shape what that meaning will be.
What are your thoughts on artificial intelligence, and especially ChatGPT?
What are you excited about? What are you afraid of?
Have you experimented with using ChatGPT to help you in your writing and editing process?
Send me an email at alice@alicesudlow.com with the subject line "AI" and tell me your thoughts on AI!
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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A prolific author shares her editing process and strategies for designing the process that works for you.
There are as many ways to edit novels as there are writers.
Which editing process is best? The one that works for you. The process you customize, refine, and repeat, novel after novel after novel.
And in this episode, we’re talking about how to create your very own editing process.
I’ve invited my client JD Edwin, author of the Headspace trilogy, to share the process she’s developed and her best tips for finding what works for you.
You’ll hear:
- The step-by-step editing process JD Edwin has developed over the course of writing, editing, and publishing three novels
- How to develop an editing system that works for YOU (and let go of what doesn’t work!)
- When JD Edwin shares her book with alpha readers, plus the kind of feedback she wants on early drafts
- How JD Edwin decided it was time to send her novel to a developmental editor, plus the mindset that helped this step feel less scary
- Why JD Edwin has come to enjoy editing—and the mindset that keeps her going when editing gets tough
- And more!
JD is honestly one of the most productive authors I know—so productive that it’s almost a little intimidating.
Take a listen to our conversation and get tips and inspiration to try in your own editing process!
Links mentioned in the episode:Find full show notes, including timestamps of key topics, here
Read JD Edwin’s books and find her online:
- Purchase Orb Hunters and the full Headspace series
- Find JD Edwin on her website and subscribe to her newsletter: jdedwin.com
- Join JD Edwin’s Facebook group
- Email JD Edwin at author@jdedwin.com
Read the Write Great Fiction series and learn how to develop your own editing process:
- Plot & Structure
- Dialogue
- Description & Setting
- Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint
What are your thoughts on artificial intelligence, and especially ChatGPT?
What are you excited about? What are you afraid of?
Have you experimented with using ChatGPT to help you in your writing and editing process?
Send me an email at alice@alicesudlow.com with the subject line "AI" and tell me your thoughts on AI!
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »
Two editors break down how Spider-Man creates a transcendent moment of triumph that feels like story magic.
Last month, I asked a big question:
How do you make your readers feel?See, the writers I work with are telling fantastic stories. But often, those stories are missing some essential piece, some spark of magic that captures my emotions and makes me laugh, cry, swoon, grieve, worry, or—well—feel anything at all.
So I turned to a scene that does make me feel. It’s a brilliant moment from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
First, I broke down exactly how that scene creates a sense of triumph so strong, it’s almost palpable.
Then, I laid out the three-step formula I’m using with my clients right now to help them do the same thing in their stories.
And when I finished recording those episodes . . . well, I still had more to say.
So I turned to my editor colleague Kim Kessler, who loves this movie as much as I do. And I invited her to grab a mic and join me for an intensely detailed breakdown of how exactly this scene creates story magic.
Kim and I cover:
- How this scene fits in the story as a whole—and why it’s so important
- Where the scene actually begins and ends (we had different takes on this!)
- What values shift in this scene (this was weirdly difficult for me to pinpoint!)
- The way that every single element, from the shots in the scene to the lines of dialogue to the colors and even the frame rate, contributes to the emotional experience we feel as viewers (and how writers can do this as well!)
- And more!
Consider this the uncut (or at least, much, much less cut) behind-the-scenes version of those previous two episodes.
In it, you’ll hear tons of editing concepts I’ve talked about on the podcast, all put into action and applied to a brilliant scene.
Kim and I had a blast breaking down every nuance of this scene, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. More importantly, I hope it helps you craft stories your readers love just as much.
Links mentioned in the episode:
Go deeper in this episode:
- Watch the scene we’re studying
- Get a breakdown of the important takeaways, including time stamps
Catch up on the previous episodes in this Spider-Man series:
- Ep. 32: How Spider-Man (And All Great Stories) Makes Us Laugh, Cry, and Feel the Feels
- Ep. 33: The 3-Step Formula to Evoke Emotion and Make Your Readers Feel
Follow editor Kim Kessler (and join her free monthly story workshop!):
- kimberkessler.com
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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The best stories capture our emotions and make us feel so deeply, it seems like magic.
The good news is, it’s not magic.
Want to make your readers feel? There’s a simple three-step process to do just that. And in this, I’m sharing that process with you.
You’ll learn:
- Why explosive action is NOT enough to make your readers feel
- How to figure out what emotion you want to create for your readers
- How to make your readers care about something as large as a life-altering leap or as small as a broken pencil
- And more!
Want to make your readers laugh? Cry? Swoon? Shake with fear? The whole range of human emotion is at your fingertips. Find out how to create any emotion you like in the episode.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the Scene Analysis Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheet
- Ep. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every Story
- Ep. 32: How Spider-Man (And All Great Stories) Makes Us Laugh, Cry, and Feel the Feels
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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The magic of storytelling is in making your readers feel. Here’s how great stories capture emotion.
One of my favorite questions to ask writers is, “What does success mean to you?”
And usually, I hear some version of the following:
You want to make readers feel. You want them to fall in love with your book. You want to make them laugh, to make them cry, to make them feel fear and excitement and relief and catharsis.
Sound like you? You’ll love this episode.
In it, I’m taking a close look at one of my favorite movie moments. It’s a scene that captures emotion so powerfully that even a tiny clip out of context can give you chills.
You’ll learn:
- How Spider-Man packs so much emotion into 2 short minutes
- Why explosive action alone isn’t enough to make your readers feel
- The simple formula to create transcendent emotional experiences for your readers
- And more!
Don’t worry—this episode contains no spoilers for the newest Spider-Man movie. Listen to it completely spoiler-free.
(Then, go watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse for another masterclass in creating emotion!)
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Watch the clip here
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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A flexible method to create a scene list with exactly the information you need—no more, no less.
For the last few weeks, I’ve been touting the magic of scene lists.
Because I do think they’re magic, or pretty darn close to it. The simple scene list is one of my absolute favorite editing tools. I wouldn’t know how to edit a book without one!
So far, I’ve covered why it’s worth making one, plus two ways to format it.
And it’s all been leading up to this: how to actually make your scene list.
That’s what I’m sharing in this episode.
You’ll learn:
- 3 different ways to make a scene list (I use ALL of these at various times!)
- When—and why!—to use each one
- The pros and cons of each type
- When in your editing process you should make a scene list
- And more!
This is a meaty episode, which isn’t really a surprise—I have a lot to say about scene lists!
And by the end of the episode, you’ll be ready to sit down, pull up your manuscript and your favorite scene list template (yes, I’ll give you two templates in the episode), and make a scene list of your very own.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Download the Scene List Templates: alicesudlow.com/list
- Ep. 29: 4 Ways to Use a Scene List, Your Indispensable Editing Tool
- Ep. 30: 2 Simple Strategies to Format Your Scene List
- Ep. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every Story
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Plus, two scene list templates for you to download and customize.
Your scene list is infinitely customizable. It can be as simple or as complex as you like. And you have a lot of choices when it comes to how you’ll create it and what information you’ll include.
Your first choice? What format you’ll use.
My first-ever scene lists were created with paper and pen. But I recommend you use something a little more robust.
In this episode, I’ll share my two favorite scene list formats: the document and the spreadsheet.
You’ll learn:
- The pros and cons of document and spreadsheet scene lists
- Why I use BOTH kinds of scene lists when I edit novels
- How to keep your scene list super simple
- What to track when you want to make your scene list more complex
- And more!
Plus, I’ve created not one, but two scene list templates: a document template and a spreadsheet template.
Get the templates and start creating your own scene list here: alicesudlow.com/list
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the Scene List Template Bundle: alicesudlow.com/list
- Ep. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every Story
- Ep. 29: 4 Reasons Why a Scene List is Your Most Powerful Editing Tool
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Your scene list is your map to all your revisions. Here’s how to make the most of it.
If you’re doing a developmental edit on your manuscript, you need a scene list. Seriously—I can’t think of a single book I’ve edited without one.
Why? What makes a scene list so essential?
That’s what I’m covering in this episode of Your Next Draft.
You’ll learn:
- 4 ways that a scene list will make your editing process clearer, easier, and less overwhelming
- How to use a scene list to plan your edits BEFORE you change a single word in your novel
- The magic of condensing an 80,000-word manuscript into just a few pages
- And more!
Plus, I’m sharing the story of my first-ever professional editing gig—and what happened when I didn’t make a scene list. (This lesson has stuck with me ever since!)
I know it’s tricky to condense an entire novel into just a few words. But a scene list is worth the effort it takes to create. Take a listen, and I’ll show you why.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Ep. 8: What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing Scenes
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Is your novel ready to publish? Here’s how to tell when you’re finally done editing.
One of the hardest parts of writing a book is knowing when to let go.
After all, you don’t want to write just any book. You want to write something amazing!
But at the same time, you could tinker with your manuscript forever, always finding something new to change. And if you’re always editing . . . well, you’ll never publish.
So how do you know when you’re done?
This question is really personal, and it differs from writer to writer and editor to editor. Your answer might be different from mine, and that’s okay!
In this episode, I’m going to share the strategies I use to help my clients know when their books are done.
You’ll learn:
- 9 questions to see whether your book is ready to publish (yes, I made a checklist!)
- The one MOST important factor that can help you decide
- Who has the final say over when your book is done (hint: it’s you!)
- What to do if you’re a perfectionist who struggles to let creative projects go (like me 🙋🏻♀️)
- And more!
Be sure to grab the checklist I created to help you determine when your book is ready to publish. Get the checklist here »
I also mention several other episodes of Your Next Draft that will help you further explore the nine questions I ask in this episode. Listen to those episodes at the links below.
Also, I'd love to know how YOU know when you're done! Head over to this post on Instagram or this post on Facebook and leave a comment to share.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the Finished Book Checklist: alicesudlow.com/done-checklist
- Ep. 24: 5 Ways to Get Feedback on Your Writing for Free
- Ep. 21: How to Identify Your Protagonist's Want and Need (And Why Those Matter to Your Plot)
- Ep. 25: 4-Act Structure: The Simple Structure to Edit Your Novel (And Why 3 Acts Aren’t Enough)
- Ep. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every Story
- Ep. 8: What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing Scenes
- “Art is never finished, only abandoned” and Paul Valéry
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Stories are about change. Here’s how to craft compelling change in every scene, act, and novel.
In fact, change is one of the fundamental things—maybe the fundamental thing—that makes stories useful, interesting, and fun.
How do you make sure something changes in your story? And not just any change, but the right change?
Let me introduce you to one of my favorite editing concepts: the value shift.
Master value shifts, and you’ll find that crafting the perfect change in every story you write becomes . . . well, almost easy.
And in this episode, I’ll show you how. You’ll learn:
- Why we NEED change in EVERY story
- 4 best practices to identify the perfect value shift
- 2 types of change you’ll find in every scene, act, and novel
- 3 exercises you can use right away to apply value shifts to your writing (and life!)
- And more!
Plus, I’ve created a free resource to make finding changes in your story even easier. It’s called the Value Shift Word Bank.
In it, you’ll find all the value shifts that happen in the novels I’ve been editing lately. Use it to help you spot your own value shifts—or find the perfect value shift to add to your story!
Get the Value Shift Word Bank here »
This episode is one of my favorites. Value shifts are the foundation of everything I do as an editor. I’m always, always asking: what changes in this story?
I can’t wait to share this essential approach to crafting change in stories with you!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Watch the opening scene of How to Train Your Dragon
- Get the Value Shift Word Bank: alicesudlow.com/value
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Overwhelmed by your novel? Try these five strategies to edit with confidence.
Sometimes, editing your novel feels really scary.
Yep, I said it. Sometimes, you get overwhelmed. You feel stuck. You wonder, do you even have what it takes to edit a book?
I’m a professional editor, and even I feel that way sometimes. Right now, I’m working on a new novel from a fantastic author. And halfway through, I started wondering . . . is this book too good for me to edit it? Is it beyond me?
In fact, I got so nervous about it that I actually paused in the middle of the book to write this episode!
If you’ve ever doubted yourself while editing your novel, this episode is for you.
In it, you’ll learn:
- 2 major ways the prospect of editing a novel can be overwhelming
- 5 strategies to bust through the overwhelm and edit like a pro
- Your greatest strength when it comes to editing your novel
- When to stop editing alone and call in help
- Why you DO have what it takes (even if you’ve NEVER edited a book before!)
- The most important thing to STOP doing (even though it’s really hard to let it go!)
- And more!
You have what it takes to edit your book. You have the perseverance, the love of great stories, and the passion it will take.
Don’t believe me? Listen to the episode and find out how to defeat the overwhelm.
Oh, and that book I’m editing?
After I created this episode, I went back to the book. I applied all five strategies you’ll hear in the episode.
And they worked!
I shared tons of feedback with the writer, and she loved it. It just took me a quick break and a few intentional strategies to break through the overwhelm and find the best feedback for her.
Because I have what it takes to edit a novel . . .
. . . and so do you.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Download the 10-step guide to edit your novel: alicesudlow.com/10steps
- For reasons to love editing, check out ep. 23: 3 Simple Steps to Edit Absolutely Anything in Your Novel
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
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Three acts aren’t enough. If you’re stuck in the middle of your story, try this four-act structure instead.
Recently, a writer told me she was stuck in the middle of her story.
She’d written the complete first draft. She’d gotten an editor’s feedback. She was editing her second draft, and she’d made it just past the fifty percent mark.
And then . . . she got stuck.
After all that, she had no idea what should come next. No idea how to make everything from the midpoint to the climax interesting.
So I gave her a solution: Split your story into four acts.
Three-act structure is our default approach to storytelling. But it’s not enough.
So I use four-act structure instead. And in this episode, I’ll tell you why.
You’ll learn:
- The critical flaw with three-act story structure
- Why four-act structure makes writing the middle of your story almost easy
- What each of the four acts must include (act three is my favorite!)
- And more!
If you’re feeling lost in the middle of your story, I invite you to listen in and discover a simple path to “The End.”
And even if you’re not feeling lost right now, give it a listen and get fresh inspiration for every part of your story.
By the way, that writer who was feeling stuck? She loved this four-act approach to stories . . . and so did everyone else in her writing group. Every single person told me some version of, “Oh! This makes so much sense. And I’m feeling so inspired now!”
What will you discover about your story with this four-act story structure?
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »
You can get fantastic feedback on your writing for free. But first, you need to know whom to seek out, when to ask for feedback, and what kind of feedback to ask for.
Ask the wrong people, and you’ll get uncritical praise, unhelpful critique, or even rejection.
But ask the right people . . .
Ask the right people, and you’ll get feedback that:
- Helps you finish your first draft
- Prepares you to work with an editor
- Helps you integrate a professional editor’s notes
You can even get the kind of feedback that professional editors can’t give you!
In this episode, I’ll show you where to find the right people to ask for free feedback. You’ll learn:
- 5 types of people who will give you feedback for free
- The pros and cons of each type of feedback
- When in the editing process you should seek out each type
- The people you should NOT ask for feedback
- How to combine free feedback and paid feedback for the greatest benefits
- And more!
Even if you plan to hire an editor, you can apply free feedback in strategic ways to craft your best book. Listen to the episode and I’ll show you how.
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »
Most writers miss this simple editing principle. But when you understand it, when you truly master it, you have the power to craft your best story.
Here it is:
When you’re doing a developmental edit on a story, you can change absolutely anything.
It sounds obvious, yet it’s so hard to do. In this episode, I’ll show you why—and share a simple three-step process that will give you editing superpowers.
You’ll learn:
- How to go beyond line edits and start editing story events
- 3 steps to make developmental editing almost easy
- How to figure out what your story is really about
- What to do when something’s not working in your story
- How to uncover infinite possibilities for your story
- How to choose the BEST plot points for every moment of your story
- Why this kind of editing is so FUN
- And more!
Plus, I’ll show you exactly how this editing process works with a real example.
I’ve chosen the best highlights from my editing session with Kim Kessler. Listen to us apply this process step-by-step to edit Kim’s scene.
Want to hear the full editing session? Listen to Kim’s edit here!
By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear process to use to edit your own scenes—or even your entire novel. This is one you’ll want to save to revisit again and again!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Read the transcript of this episode
- Read the scene Kim and I edited
- Listen to Kim’s full editing session
- Meet Kim Kessler
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »
Answer these questions now to clarify your goals for your novel. Plus, they’ll prepare you to work with an editor when you’re ready for expert advice.
When you reach out to an editor (like me!), they’ll have a lot of questions about your novel.
After all, your editor is stepping into the middle of a writing, editing, and publication process that started long before they get to read your manuscript.
The more information you can give your editor about your story, your process, and what success means to you, the better.
In this episode, you’ll learn eight questions I ask writers when they reach out to me.
You can even download them in a worksheet to fill out your answers as you listen. Grab the worksheet here.
Treat that worksheet as a living document. It’s your guide to your novel and your goals.
And when you’re ready to work with an editor, it will help you answer any questions they ask so you can find the editor who’s the best fit for you and your novel.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the worksheet: alicesudlow.com/editorquestions
- Tell me about your book: alicesudlow.com/contact
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »
Two simple questions to ensure your character development drives your plot.
Every time I edit a novel, I ask two questions about the protagonist. They’re deceptively simple questions, but they reveal so much about the character.
More than that, they reveal how the story should end.
In other words, these two questions are the keys to:
. . . your character development,
. . . your climax,
. . . and your resolution.
In this episode, I’ll walk you through these essential questions:
What does your character want?
And what does your character need?
You’ll learn:
- Where to find your character’s want and need in your story (hint: one is clear at the beginning, and one is clear at the end)
- How to combine the want and need for an amazing climax
- 5 tips to find YOUR protagonist’s want and need
- Why these questions are perfect for the editing process AND when you’re writing your first draft
- And more!
Plus, I’ll show you an example of character wants and needs at play in a fantastic novel: The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik. It’s a perfect illustration of how these questions impact character development and plot.
How about your story? What does your protagonist want? And what do they need
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Get the Character Arc Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/characterworksheet
- Ep. 18: 2 Essential Questions to Craft a Compelling Character Arc
- THE LAST GRADUATE by Naomi Novik
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »
Ever wondered what it looks like to get feedback from an editor?
Recently, my friend Kim Kessler, herself a developmental editor and author, sent me a scene of the novel she’s working on. I read it and prepared some notes for her.
Then, we hopped on a call to talk through my feedback.
And we recorded the whole conversation!
In this episode, you’ll hear exactly how developmental editing works. I walk Kim through the same process I use for all my editing clients.
You’ll hear the questions I ask her, the specific recommendations I give, and my favorite part: the moment of epiphany, when we “solve” what she needs to do next with her scene.
And if you ever feel nervous about working with an editor . . . well, we get it. Kim and I share why we felt nervous about this episode, too—and why this editing session was worth all the nerves and risk!
Fair warning: this episode is long.
It’s worth listening to the whole thing, especially if you want to hear exactly what a real developmental editing session looks like.
But if you’d like to jump straight to some key moments, check out these time stamps:
[5:42] Why Kim and I don’t offer sample edits of developmental editing
[10:06] Kim introduces her novel and shares the context of her scene
[18:35] The most important editing question: WHY Kim is writing this novel and what she wants it to achieve
[25:40] What I love about Kim’s scene and what she’s doing well
[29:47] The start of our scene analysis—if you’ve listened to the episode “5 Essential Questions to Fix Boring Scenes,” these questions will be familiar to you
[36:22] What changes in this scene? What’s the value shift?
[54:31] What is this scene really about?
[1:02:45] The specific recommendation I have for Kim’s scene
[1:04:57] Kim and I brainstorm ways to apply that feedback
And if you’d like this kind of feedback on your scenes . . .
. . . keep your eye out for a way to sign up for a scene critique of your own, coming soon!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Find Kim at kimberkessler.com
- Read Kim’s scene: alicesudlow.com/kimscene
- Ep. 8: What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing Scenes
- Ep. 9: 5 Essential Questions to Fix Boring Scenes
- Ep. 11: How to Edit a Scene of a Novel, Part 1
- Ep. 12: How to Edit a Scene of a Novel, Part 2
- Ep. 15: How Long Should it Take for Your Character to Make a Decision?
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
Have you ever wanted to quit your book?
Here’s the good news, and the bad news: that’s a normal part of the book writing process.
Every writer I know has struggled to make it through the middle of their novel. They’ve all been tempted to quit the book they’re currently working on and start over with a better story idea.
So if you’re feeling ready to ditch this book idea and start writing something better . . .
. . . you’re not alone.
Before you quit, though, I want to share a few truths with you.
- Your book idea isn’t the problem.
- Quitting this book won’t make the next book easier.
- You have what it takes to finish—and it’s worth seeing this book through to the end.
Don’t believe me? Hit play and find out what I told a writer recently who emailed me to ask whether she should quit her book.
Then, get back to writing!
You’ve got this. And I’m cheering you on the whole way through!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Ep. 4: 10 Productivity Tips to Finish Writing Your First Draft Faster
- Ep. 5: 11 Creativity Tips to Finish Writing Your First Draft Faster
- Ep. 6: 3 Speedy Strategies to Edit Your Novel Faster
- Ep. 7: 7 More Speedy Strategies to Edit Your Novel Faster
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Support the showWant more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
If you want readers to fall in love with your protagonist . . .
. . . to remember them long after they finish your book . . .
. . . then you need to craft a compelling character arc.
To do that, you need to know: who is your protagonist?What makes them unique? How do they grow and change? Why is their story worth telling?
And you can figure all that out by answering just two essential questions.
These questions are deceptively simple. But when you dig in and explore them, you’ll learn so much about what challenges your character faces and all the ways they’ll grow.
I ask these questions every time I work with a writer. And over and over, they lead us to breakthroughs about the writer’s protagonist—and the arc of their entire story.
Ready for the questions? Listen in! You’ll learn:
- The two essential questions for brilliant character arcs
- More than a dozen insights you’ll gain just by asking them
- How to identify your character’s most important change
- How to use that change to shape your story’s plot
- And more!
Plus, I’ll show you how I would answer these two questions for the character arc in a novel I love: LITTLE THIEVES by Margaret Owen.
And I’ve created a worksheet to help you answer these questions for your character, too. Get the worksheet at alicesudlow.com/characterworksheet.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Get the Character Arc Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/characterworksheet
- LITTLE THIEVES by Margaret Owen
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
You can tell your story from any point of view you want. In fact, you can tell it from multiple points of view.
So how many points of view should you use? What will most effectively communicate your story to your readers? And how many points of view is too many?
That’s what this episode is all about. I’m breaking down the strengths and pitfalls of using multiple points of view.
You’ll learn:
- How using multiple points of view can enhance the story
- 2 pitfalls of having too many point of view characters
- A simple principle to help you find the perfect number of points of view for your novel
- 4 qualities of great point of view characters
- And more!
Plus, I’ll share examples of some multiple point of view novels I love—and what makes them work so well.
Are you working on a multiple point of view novel? Use the questions in this episode to make sure every single point of view is serving your story well.
And be sure to download the worksheet to get all those questions in one place. Grab the worksheet at alicesudlow.com/multipov.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- THE GUEST LIST by Lucy Foley
- WONDER by R. J. Palacio
- Ep. 16: The Critical Point of View Mistake to Fix in Your Second Draft
- Download the Multi POV Quiz: alicesudlow.com/multipov
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
The point of view you choose for your novel shapes the information that you give your readers. And it shapes how your readers receive and interpret that information.
Which means your point of view actually shapes the story itself. And that’s a really big deal!
The challenge is, point of view can be tricky to master. There are nearly unlimited ways you can craft your point of view. And there are just as many point of view mistakes you can make.
In this episode, I’m sharing the most important mistake I see writers make in their point of view. Here it is:
Being inconsistent.
Ever find yourself accidentally switching between first person and third person point of view? Or between past and present? Or between multiple characters’ perspectives?
Those are inconsistencies. And they’ll distract, confuse, and frustrate your readers.
Not to worry, though! In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why point of view inconsistencies matter
- How to spot inconsistencies in your own writing
- When in the editing process you should correct point of view inconsistencies
- What to do if you’re not sure you’ve caught them all (hint: don’t panic!)
- And more!
Plus, I’ve put together a worksheet for you to reference and practice. In it, I’ll show you what a consistent point of view looks like, and how to spot an inconsistent point of view shift.
Then, challenge yourself to spot all the point of view inconsistencies I’ve hidden in the practice exercise.
Get the worksheet at alicesudlow.com/povworksheet and practice your point of view skills.
Then, pull out a scene of your novel and clean up any point of view inconsistencies you find!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Point of View Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/povworksheet
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
The most important moment in your story is the moment when your protagonist is faced with a decision.
Do this or do that? Stay or go? Speak or remain silent? Flee or fight?
In fact, your protagonist will face dozens of decisions throughout your novel. They’ll face at least one in every scene: moments where they experience a crisis, when whatever happens next hinges on the decision they make.
But how long should this moment take? Does your protagonist need to waffle between two options for several pages in every scene? Do they even need to know the full weight of what they’re deciding?
In this episode, I’m sharing the art and science of the perfect crisis. You’ll learn:
- When to write a very long crisis and make your character’s decision-making process very clear
- How to write a short and snappy crisis your reader might not even notice (but YOU know it’s there!)
- Why there MUST be consequences for your character’s choice
- How to include a crisis in every scene WITHOUT making your character annoyingly indecisive
- How to create far-reaching consequences of the crisis choice—even if your character can’t predict them in the moment
- And more!
Plus, I’ll break down the opening scenes of two novels with very different crises.
You’ll see how Natalie C. Parker writes a five-page-long crisis in Seafire—and why it works.
And you’ll see how Naomi Novik writes a crisis so short you could blink and you’d miss it in Spinning Silver. Yet the choice the protagonist makes sparks the conflict of the whole book.
A well-written crisis can be the absolute best moment in a scene. Find out how to master the crisis in this episode!
This episode was inspired by a listener question from David. Thanks, David!
Have an editing question you’d like answered? Send me an email at alice@alicesudlow.com with the subject line “Podcast Question,” and I’ll keep it in mind for future podcast episodes!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- SEAFIRE by Natalie C. Parker
- SPINNING SILVER by Naomi Novik
- Ep. 8: What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing Scenes
- Ep. 11: How to Edit a Scene of a Novel, Part 1
- Download the Scene Analysis Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheet
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
Scenes and chapters are not the same.
Scenes are the units of story writers use to craft amazing stories. They include one story event that moves the plot forward.
Chapters are the units of story that readers see. Writers divide their books into chapters in a variety of ways in order to shape the way their readers experience the book.
How do these work together? How can you craft chapters that are the best fit for your book?
In this episode, I’ll show you three ways that authors divide their books into chapters. Plus, I’ll show you examples from novels ranging from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to Hank Green’s An Absolutely Remarkable Thing.
You’ll learn:
- Why there’s no “right” number of scenes that must go in every chapter
- 2 essential principles to help you organize the chapters in your book
- How the number of scenes in a chapter impacts the reader’s experience
- 3 common ways authors organize scenes into chapters
- And more!
This isn’t a comprehensive list of every possible way to organize your chapters. Study your favorite novels, and you’ll find so many creative ways that authors arrange the chapters in their books.
But the principles I’m sharing in this episode will be helpful to you no matter how you decide to organize your chapters.
This episode was inspired by a listener question from Kathi. Thanks, Kathi!
Have an editing question you’d like answered? Send me an email at alice@alicesudlow.com with the subject line “Podcast Question,” and I’ll keep it in mind for future podcast episodes!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Ep. 8: What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing Scenes
- PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen
- SEAFIRE by Natalie C. Parker
- RADIO SILENCE by Alice Oseman
- AN ABSOLUTELY REMARKABLE THING by Hank Green
- RED, WHITE AND ROYAL BLUE by Casey McQuiston
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
Scene structure is a powerful tool for editing your scenes. But what about the writing process? How can you use structure to plan your scenes before you write—and make it that much easier to edit those scenes later?
In the last few episodes, we’ve talked a lot about scenes: what they are, how they work, and how to edit them. And I’ve received tons of insightful questions about all this scene theory.
So in this episode, I’m answering your questions about scenes.
From Evan and Samrobb: What can you plan before you write in order to make writing (and editing!) easier?
From Bill: Can you have a value shift that applies to the whole story, not just a single scene?
Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll hear in the episode:
- Two ways you can use scene theory to plan before you write
- The danger of using editing tools during your writing process
- Three levels of value shifts that go beyond scenes
- Why writing amazing scenes is an essential—and transferable!—skill
- And more!
Have more scene writing questions? Send me an email at alice@alicesudlow.com with the subject line “Podcast Question,” and I’ll save your question for a future podcast episode!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
In order to edit a scene effectively, you need to know what to change. The best edits are strategic, intentional, and target the most important problems with effective solutions.
How do you figure out what those edits are?
Ask the right questions.
In this episode, you’ll discover six questions that will help you identify what’s working and what’s not in the beginnings and endings of your scenes. Then, they’ll show you exactly how to fix the weak spots.
You’ll learn:
- How to start your scenes at exactly the right moment
- How to raise the stakes in the first half of the scene
- The biggest problem writers make in the resolution—and how to fix it
- What readers want to know in the resolution of a scene
- How to make it clear that something changes in every scene
- And more!
This is the second part of a two-part series. Don’t miss How to Edit a Scene of a Novel, Part 1 for twelve more scene editing questions.
Want a quick reference guide to all eighteen questions from this episode and the last one? Download the Scene Edit Questionnaire at alicesudlow.com/sceneedit.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Download the Scene Edit Questionnaire: alicesudlow.com/sceneedit
- Ep. 8: What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing Scenes
- Ep. 9: 5 Essential Questions to Find the Most Important Event in a Scene
- Ep. 10: How This Scene Works: Looking for Alaska by John Green
- Ep. 11: How to Edit a Scene of a Novel, Part 1
- The first scene of UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR by T. J. Klune
- The first scene of LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green
- The first scene of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
How do you edit a scene of a novel?
In order to edit a scene effectively, you need to know a few things:
- What’s working in the scene,
- What’s not working in the scene, and
- What specific changes you’ll make to the words on the page that will fix the things that aren’t working.
That last one is the most important, and often the hardest to figure out.
How do you identify the specific changes that will improve your scene?
Ask the right questions.
In this episode, you’ll learn 12 questions that will show you exactly what to change in your scenes. These questions will show you:
- How to turn your scene analysis into practical edits you can apply right away
- Whether your scene is working—and if it’s not, the precise moments where it needs to change
- How to make sure your scene has earned its place in your novel
- How to raise the stakes by giving your protagonist a difficult choice
- What makes amazing climaxes work
- How to troubleshoot a boring climax
- And more!
This episode is packed with practical strategies to edit every scene in your novel. You might want to take notes, or even save this to listen again.
Want a quick reference guide to all 12 questions? Download the Scene Edit Questionnaire at alicesudlow.com/sceneedit.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Download the Scene Edit Questionnaire: alicesudlow.com/sceneedit
- Ep. 8: What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing Scenes
- Ep. 9: 5 Essential Questions to Find the Most Important Event in a Scene
- Ep. 10: How This Scene Works: Looking for Alaska by John Green
- The first scene of UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR by T. J. Klune
- The first scene of LOOKING FOR ALASKA by John Green
- The first scene of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
One of the best ways to learn how to edit your book is to study other excellent books.
The best-sellers. The award winners. The ones your readers are reading and loving.
So in this episode, that’s what we’re going to do.
I’m breaking down the first scene of Looking for Alaska by John Green to show you how it works.
Looking for Alaska was best-selling author John Green’s debut novel. It won the 2006 Printz award, the highest award in young adult literature. And in 2019, it was adapted into an eight-episode show on Hulu.
All that to say: this book works really, really well.
And in this episode, I’ll show you how John Green opens the story with an excellent opening scene.You’ll learn:
- How John Green turns an ordinary, everyday moment into an interesting scene
- What changes in this scene—and why that matters
- Why the first and last lines of this scene are so powerful
- How to answer all the scene analysis questions from episodes 8 and 9 for this scene (and use them to think like an editor)
- And more!
If you’re writing a YA novel or a novel set in the regular world, this scene is a perfect example of how to do that well.
And no matter what genre you’re writing, you’ll learn how to think like an editor so you can make your scenes even better.
Before you listen, be sure to read the opening scene of Looking for Alaska so you can follow along. (Don’t worry—it’s short!) Read the scene for free here.
And be sure to download the free guide to this analysis. Get the guide at alicesudlow.com/lfa.
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Analysis of Looking for Alaska: alicesudlow.com/lfa
- Read the first scene: Looking for Alaska by John Green
- Ep. 8: What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing Scenes
- Ep. 9: 5 Essential Questions to Fix Boring Scenes
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
What happens in your scenes? Do they even matter to your book? Do they move the story forward and keep your readers engaged? Or are they . . . boring?
In order for a scene to earn its place in your story, something needs to happen. It needs a story event, a single event that contributes to the larger plot.
The thing is, it’s really easy to write scenes—thousands of words!—where nothing ever happens.
A group of friends go to a restaurant and have a pleasant conversation. A woman sits in her favorite chair, sipping tea and thinking.
These are normal things we do in everyday life. (And when we do them, we really enjoy them! They’re quite lovely, aren’t they?)
But in stories, “scenes” like these will bore your readers to tears . . . unless something interesting happens. Conflict arises. Something changes.
So I’ll ask you again: What happens in your scenes?
Not sure? Not to worry. In this episode, I’m sharing five essential questions to help you figure out what happens in a scene—and why it matters to your story.
These questions are deceptively simple. They won’t take long to answer. But they’ll give you so much invaluable insight into how and why your story is working—or where it’s not working, and how you can fix it.
Plus, I’ll show you how to answer them using an example scene: the first scene of UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR by T. J. Klune. Read the first scene for free here. (And if you love it, read the whole book—it's a good one!)
Ready to answer all these questions for your scenes and make every page of your book un-put-down-able? Download the Scene Analysis Worksheet at alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheet.
And if you'd like expert feedback on your scenes, plus personalized strategies for how to make them even better, I'd love to help. Send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Ep. 8: What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing Scenes
- The opening scene of UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR by T. J. Klune
- The Scene Analysis Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheet
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it h
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
Great books are made of great scenes. Which means the skill of writing and editing amazing scenes is one of the most important skills you can learn if you want to create a novel readers will love.
The thing is, though, readers don't think in terms of scenes. Chapters are clearly marked for readers, but scenes often aren't. Which means that when people make the jump from "reader" to "writer," they often don't know what scenes actually are.
What is a scene? What elements must it include? What makes the difference between a scene readers want to skip and a scene that earns its place in your book? And how can you fix a boring scene?
In this episode, I'll cover all that and more. You'll learn:
- The definition of a scene.
- Three simple ways to identify where your scenes begin and end.
- Why something MUST change in every single scene, plus how you can tell whether your scenes include a change.
- The six moments every scene MUST include in order to keep your readers engaged.
- How long (or short!) scenes can be, and how to find the right scene length for your novel.
- Why scenes are different from chapters, and how many scenes your book should include.
- What to do if you're not sure where the scenes in your current draft start and end.
And I'll break all these elements down using an example scene: the first scene of UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR by T. J. Klune. Read the first scene for free here. (And if you love it, read the whole book—it's a good one!)
Ready to apply all these concepts to your book and make your scenes un-put-down-able? Download the Scene Analysis Worksheet at alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheet.
And if you'd like expert feedback on your scenes, plus personalized strategies for how to make them even better, I'd love to help. Send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- The opening scene of UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR by T. J. Klune
- The Scene Analysis Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheet
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
Writing your book doesn't have to take forever. Editing your book doesn't have to take forever.
And in this episode, the fourth and final installment of our speedy writing and editing series, you'll learn seven strategies to make your editing process more efficient so you can finish your next draft—and then your next book—faster.
We'll cover:
- How to make sure the changes you're making to your novel will work—before you edit a single word.
- Why taking extra time to practice the skill of editing one scene will have an outsized impact on your whole editing process.
- Why making reading a regular part of your life will help you edit faster and more effectively.
Want more speedy tips? Check out episode 6 of the podcast for three more strategies to edit your novel faster. And check out episode 4 and episode 5 for tips on how to finish your first draft faster. Hint: these tips will be helpful in your editing process, too!
Plus, get a quick-reference list of all ten speedy editing strategies by going to alicesudlow.com/editfast.
And if you’d like expert editing support that will help you finish your next draft so much faster, I’d love to help. Send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Find me on Instagram and Facebook
- Hire me to edit your book: alicesudlow.com/contact or alice@alicesudlow.com
- Get your guide to all ten editing strategies: alicesudlow.com/editfast
- Episode 2: How Many Drafts Does it Take to Edit a Book?
- Episode 3: How to Figure Out Which Draft You're Writing: First Draft, Second Draft, and More
- Episode 4: 10 Productivity Tips to Finish Writing Your First Draft Faster
- Episode 5: 11 Creativity Tips to Finish Writing Your First Draft Faster
- Episode 6: 3 Speedy Strategies to Edit Your Novel Faster
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
You can finish editing your next draft in just a few weeks.
That’s right. You can finish it in three months—or less!
The trick, of course, is to find the editing process that works for you. The process that keeps you focused, motivated, and inspired so you can make the right changes to your book every day.
And in this episode, I’ll share three strategies I recommend to help you do just that.
You’ll learn:
- How to set a deadline that keeps you on track—and ensures you actually finish!
- When to hire an editor—and why hiring an editor after your first draft can shave years off your editing process.
- Why shaking things up and editing in a different location than your writing space can give you an editing boost.
Plus, get a free worksheet to guide you through setting your deadline for your next draft. Go to alicesudlow.com/deadline to get your worksheet.
Want more speedy tips? There are more fast editing tips coming for you in the next episode, so be sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss them.
And be sure to check out episode 4 and episode 5 of the podcast for tips on how to finish your first draft faster. Hint: these tips will be helpful in your editing process, too!
And if you’d like expert editing support that will help you finish your next draft so much faster, I’d love to help. Send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Episode 4: 10 Productivity Tips to Finish Writing Your First Draft Faster
- Episode 5: 11 Creativity Tips to Finish Writing Your First Draft Faster
- Hire me to edit your book: alicesudlow.com/contact or alice@alicesudlow.com
- Get your free deadline worksheet: alicesudlow.com/deadline
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
Have you ever gotten stuck in your first draft? Hit writer's block? Lost all your inspiration and wondered what in the world would happen next?
If so, you're not alone. That's a totally normal part of the writing process.
The tough news is, part of your job as a writer is . . . to write anyway. Your challenge is to push through it and write when you're inspired and when you're not.
But the good news is, you don't have to stay stuck in the struggle. You can use a variety of strategies to boost your creativity and get back in the flow of writing.
And the better news is, once you're writing again, it's way easier to keep writing. You won't stay stuck forever!
How do you boost your creativity and beat the block? That's the topic of this episode. I'll give you eleven inspiring strategies to get your ideas flowing again: everything from writing the worst sentence in the world to optimizing your writing space to leaving your writing space behind and going on a walk.
And if creativity is only part of the challenge, check out this episode on writing productivity, too. There, you'll find ten strategies to boost your productivity and surround yourself with a team to support you as you write.
Together, these twenty-one ideas are sure to get you writing again—and boost your writing speed so you can finish your first draft and get published sooner!
Don't forget to download this free guide to all twenty-one ideas. Print it out, post it in your writing space, and refer to it whenever you get stuck so you can get un-stuck at a moment's notice.
Liked what you heard?If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review. Also, be sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss future episodes.
And if you’d like personalized feedback on your book, reach out to me at alicesudlow.com. I’d love to support you in your editing process!
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
Every great book begins with a first draft.
And sometimes, it can feel like that first draft goes on forever. Have you ever spent months writing the first draft of a book? Years?
If so, you’re not alone. It’s easy to get stuck in the middle of a draft. Or spend years trying to write the perfect first draft . . . and never finish. Or stop writing before you even start!
But you can’t edit—or publish—a book you haven’t written.
Which means your first task is to finish your first draft.
How do you do it? How do you finally finish your first draft in a matter of weeks?
In this episode, I’ll give you ten strategies to speed up your writing process so you can make it to “The End.”
Six of these ideas will boost your productivity. Four more will help you surround yourself with a team to hold you accountable and help you finish.
You don’t have to apply all of them at once. Choose two or three to use in your writing every day, then try one or two more when you get stuck.
And to make it easier, download and print this quick-reference guide to all ten ideas, plus eleven more ideas coming in the next episode.
Liked what you heard?If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review. Also, be sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss future episodes.
And if you’d like personalized feedback on your book, reach out to me at alicesudlow.com. I’d love to support you in your editing process!
Want an editor's feedback on your book?
I'm currently accepting new editing clients. If you'd like to find out how I can help you craft your best book, send me a note at alice@alicesudlow.com and tell me about your book!
Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more listeners find the podcast. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
Finishing your first draft is a huge accomplishment. Congratulations! But wait, now what?
If you feel like you've fallen off the map of the writing and editing process, don't worry. In this episode, I'll share the five things you should do right after you finish your draft.
Editing your book? Take a moment to see whether you've done these five things.
Download a guide to the five steps in the episode plus five more at alicesudlow.com/10steps.
And if you liked what you heard, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss the next episode!
Which draft are you working on right now? If that question is easy to answer, fantastic! But if it's not, don't worry.
You're not alone, and in this episode, I'll show you how to find out which draft you're writing—and what to do next.
Download a quiz to find out which draft you're currently working on at alicesudlow.com/draftquiz.
And if you liked what you heard, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss the next episode!
How many drafts does it take to write and edit an amazing book? Should you publish your book right after you finish your first draft? (No.) And how long will the editing process take?
In this episode, I'll show you an overview of the full writing and editing process, plus an estimate of how many drafts it will take for you to finally finish your book.
Download a guide to the four kinds of drafts at alicesudlow.com/4drafts.
And if you liked what you heard, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe so you don't miss the next episode!
What do you do once you finish your first draft? What does “edit your book” actually mean? And how do you know when you’re ready to get published?
Welcome to Your Next Draft.
If you’re writing a novel and you’ve ever found yourself asking questions like these, you’re in the right place.
I’m Alice Sudlow, a developmental editor, avid reader, and story nerd. Since 2016, I’ve helped dozens of writers write and edit books they’re truly proud of—and then publish stories readers love.
In this podcast, I’ll show you how to finish your first draft, edit your next draft, and craft a publication-ready novel.
Every week, I’ll share quick, actionable tips you can use right away to finish your next draft. In each episode, I’ll give you a bite-sized strategy for the writing and editing process to help you craft your best book.
This podcast is perfect for you if you’re working on a novel. Are you on your first draft? Your second draft? Your tenth? Let’s finish your next draft and get you ready to publish.
Stick with me, and with your editing process, and soon you’ll publish an amazing book!
To find out more about this podcast and how I help writers publish their BEST books, go to https://alicesudlow.com/.
And please rate, review, and subscribe so you don’t miss a thing!