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Creating unique and interesting characters is one Creating unique and interesting characters is one of the most exciting parts about writing. Who doesn’t love to explore these fictional people on deeply personal levels and throw them into tough situations? Sometimes creating an entire person is intimidating, though. So where do you begin when it comes to creating a new character? 1️ What role does this character fill? Are they a primary character, secondary, or tertiary? How large is their role in the story? Are they there for most of the book or just a few lines of dialogue? This will determine how much you even need to know about them. 2️ Start with the basics. Figure out the character’s basic demographics: name, age, general backstory, appearance, sexual & romantic orientations, gender identity, disability and/or chronic pain/illness, etc. This serves at the foundation for the rest of your character’s traits. 3️ Go deeper. Now you can start exploring the character’s backstory, world views, flaws, strengths, traumas, and more. What makes sense given the world they live in, how they grew up, their various privileges (or lack thereof), etc.? 4️ Think about the things that haunt them. We all have complicated pasts, personal histories, and traumas. What false beliefs does your character hold about themselves, others, or the world? What keeps them up at night? 5️ Define their motives & goals. Your character must make a decision at some point to participate in the plot, whether it’s entering a contest or joining a rebellion against an evil empire. What thing spurs them to action? All of these elements influence each other. You’ll be exploring all of these things over the course of your story, whether it’s 50k words or 150k. You have time. Want 50+ questions to help you create your character? Visit the link in my bio and go to the Between the Lines Editorial blog to find the post “52 Questions to Help You Develop Stronger Characters.” 𝗤𝗢𝗧𝗗: What’s your favorite thing about character creation? #fantasywriter #amwritingfantasy #romanceauthor #romancewriter #womenwritingfiction #newadultfantasy #writerstips #finishyourbook #writinganovel #bookeditor #writingcoach #indieauthorsofIG
Editing can be a bit of a mystical process. How do Editing can be a bit of a mystical process. How does your editor decide to suggest when to suggest changes? Why do they offer certain solutions but not others? Is this process something you can mimic as you self-edit? When I’m editing, all of the questions I ask myself boil down to two things: [1] Does this thing (worldbuilding, character dev, etc.) make sense and [2] Is that what the author meant? If the answer to those is “yes,” then I ask myself, “Is this the best way to say it?” This was one of the first lessons taught to us at my graduate editing program. 🤓 My job as your editor is to make sure that what you’re communicating to the reader makes sense and can be understood. If you hire me for a story-level edit, I’m examining how your story (and its elements) flow. If you’ve hired me for a language-level edit, I’m checking not just grammar but the flow and rhythm of your words. Sometimes an edit means tweaking one word. Sometimes it’s rewriting entire paragraphs. Sometimes it’s flagging a whole chapter as ‘off’ for the author. Not every chapter or scene is going to need major changes. There’s an ebb and flow to how we draft, and there’s an ebb and flow to edits as well. Don’t be surprised if your editor has left some sections of your manuscript far less marked-up than others. It doesn’t mean they aren’t doing their job; it means you did great in those spots! 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: try asking yourself those same questions! If you find yourself tripping up at a certain part of your chapter, first figure out if it’s something about the content (characters, dialogue, plot, etc.) or the language. Then ask if there’s a better way you can communicate that idea. 𝗤𝗢𝗧𝗗: Do you find there’s an ebb and flow to your self-edits? When I’m writing my own books, some chapters definitely need heavier edits than others. #indiesareworthit #indiepublishing #selfpublishingcommunity #amrevising #authorpreneur #bookeditor #bookcoach #writingcoach #amediting #writebetter #fantasywriter #romancewriter #scifiwriter #writershelpingwriters #writingmood #howtowrite #keepwriting #writerssupportingwriters #5amwritersclub #lifeofawriter
I’m the kind of editor and writer who likes to b I’m the kind of editor and writer who likes to be working on multiple projects at a time. It works for me and my brain, but as a disclaimer, it’s not for everyone. And that’s okay! If you need to focus on one project at a time, then do just that. If, however, you do like working on multiple projects or need to for some reason, how might you juggle it all? 📚 Set dedicated time to each project daily or weekly. In the last 12 months, I’ve completed (and revised) three full manuscripts in my series by doing this. For me, this looks like revising one while starting the first draft of another, or sending one draft off for review while self-editing another. 📚 Try to keeping it in the same series, esp. if you want to rapid release. I’m not saying draft Books 1 and 2 at the same time, but focusing on one series at a time can help you stay organized. 📚 Pass on project to your betas or editor, then work on other stuff. As you send Book 1 off for copyediting, maybe work on Book 2. Or if Book 1 is with your beta readers, start dabbling in Book 2’s opening chapters. Just be aware that edits you make in an earlier book might have ripple effects into later books. (This can be a bit tricky to manage, so be careful!) 📚 Set specific, manageable goals for your projects. Don’t expect yourself to draft two 100k books in different series within the same 30 day period. Give yourself plenty of time, be realistic about how much you can balance at once, and figure out what your drafting schedule would have to look like before you commit to working on multiple projects. This is also how I balance multiple editing projects at one time. I know how much I’m able to edit in general in a day, and I can plan projects accordingly based on the terms of each contract. QOTD: Do you like to work on multiple projects at a time? Why or why not? #bookeditor #writingcoach #tipsforwriters #indiesareworthit #fantasyauthor #amwriting #aspiringauthor #writingtips #keepwriting #NAfantasy #fantasyromance #NAromantasy #newadultfantasy #fantasywriter #amwritingfantasy #romancewriter #amwritingscifi
Almost exactly a year ago to the day, I finished r Almost exactly a year ago to the day, I finished rewriting my new adult fantasy novel. It was my “new” first draft, the one I was sticking with no matter what. No more changing POV structures. No more fiddling with unimportant stuff because I was afraid to commit. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 was it. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 was the way I wanted and needed to tell my story. I first completed a draft of this idea back in Nov. 2019. The story has changed a lot since then. Same characters and basic premise but wildly different plot and character arcs. I knew something about it wasn’t right back in ‘19, but I kept getting distracted by stuff that didn’t actually matter. The real problem? I wasn’t committed to deeply exploring the character I was most connected with. After fiddling with that old version for too long, I finally committed to a new version in summer 2021. I finished on August 1, 2021. And though it’s seen some significant changes since then (cutting subplots is tricky), it was finally 𝙩𝙝𝙚 story I set out to explore. Two weeks ago, I sent the sixth draft to a couple of writer friends so they could read, as I like to say, “for the vibes.” Just for fun. I can’t believe how far I’ve taken that manuscript in a year. It’s taken a lot of revising. Some frustration. Feedback from trusted folks. Tears as I dug into some very complex emotions, both mine and my MC’s. And fun. It honestly took having fun. We all know writing is hard. But just because it’s hard, and just because there are no guarantees about careers and success, doesn’t mean that writing isn’t worthwhile. Write the damn story. Trust your vision. Don’t be afraid to dig really fucking deep into the core of your story & characters. It’s going to be hard. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to turn out amazing thanks to all the work you put in. And if you need extra support in figuring out exactly how to commit to your story and finish your draft, writing coaching might be the thing for you. Visit the link in bio to book your free consult. #writingcoach #bookeditor #fantasyauthor #newadultfantasy #indiesareworthit #indieauthorsofIG #learntowrite #writingadvice #writebetter #aspiringauthor #amwritingfantasy #womenwhowrite
At GalaxyCon this past weekend, someone asked a gr At GalaxyCon this past weekend, someone asked a great question during my character workshop. How do you handle feedback from an editor suggesting changes for a demographic they’re not a part of, especially when those changes aren’t good, safe, or accurate? I think this answer applies not just to editors but also alpha or beta readers and critique partners. And remember, as the author, you have every right to push back against your editor. Let’s say you’ve written a demisexual character and used your own experience (and maybe that of some ace friends) as a starting point. Now, let’s assume your editor questions the romance arc. Is this question based on the character’s sexuality and a misunderstanding the editor has about the ace spectrum? Or is it that something about the romance was not clear? Are they trying to force stereotypes onto your character, or are they pointing out that something is tripping them up and confusing them in the storyline? If your editor is straight-up disrespectful of and/or harmful to your experience, community, or book, you don’t have to continue the relationship. Try to find a way out of your contract, see what money you can get back, and find a new editor. If you do want to continue working with them, you have some options. If your editor was wrong, start by being honest about why they were wrong. Hopefully they’re open to hearing more and will continue educating themselves. And if they aren’t open to this... 🚩🚩🚩 If, however, they’ve simply pointed out that something is tripping them up, that’s a chance to talk about what fix would make sense to ensure readers don’t also get confused. Editing should be a conversation between editor and author. We’re both trying to make the book live up to the author’s vision and reader expectations. We’re a team. Your editor should be open to hearing these questions, having these convos, and learning more. 💗 #bookeditor #writingcoach #tipsforwriters #amwritingfantasy #fantasyauthor #amwriting #aspiringauthor #NAfantasy #fantasyromance #newadultfantasy #YAfantasy #amrevising #fantasywriter #amwritingfantasy #romancewriter #developmentaleditor #indiesareworthit #fantasyeditor
Well, the day is finally here, y’all! I’m at G Well, the day is finally here, y’all! I’m at GalaxyCon this weekend talking about two topics I love: 📚 Creating Strong Main Characters (done ✅) 📚 Conquering Your Fear of the Blank Page If you’re here this week, I’m around on Friday (today) and Sunday! Shoot me a DM 😊 Have a great weekend and happy writing! I’m gonna go get my nerd on 🖖 #bookeditor #writingcoach #copyeditor #developmentaleditor #fantasywritersconnect #writingtips #amwritingnewadult #fantasywritersofIG #writerstips
You know those scenes. The ones with big emotions. You know those scenes. The ones with big emotions. The ones where things come to a head, where characters apologize or confess their feelings or watch a beloved friend die. The ones where characters realize something about themselves, where some truth threatens to break them. Yeah. They’re satisfying to read, but they can also be tricky to write. While you’ve always got to balance showing and telling, interiority, dialogue, and so forth, finding just the right balance in an emotional scene can make or break the effect you’re going for. There's a lot I could say about this topic, but if I had to boil it down to just one thing to share today, it would be that you need to focus on your characters and their humanity. We’ve all been through hard and emotional things in our lives. What that exact thing is might vary, but our emotional experiences don’t. We’ve all felt intense fear, anger, shame, despair, joy, grief, and more. Think about the way you’ve experienced those moments in your own life if you need inspiration during a scene. Think about the complex ways humans interact and how our emotions show up not just in our minds but in our bodies. This might bring up some emotions in you, too, as you write. If that happens and you find yourself overwhelmed, take a break! You can always come back to it later when you’re feeling grounded and ready again. (And if it's bringing up too much, reach out to a trusted mental health pro 💜) Hope this helps! Go forth and make readers cry! 😉 𝗤𝗢𝗧𝗗: Have you ever had a strong emotional reaction to a scene you wrote? I’ve made myself tear up while writing, and my clients have definitely gotten tears out of me before. Just last week, a manuscript I’m working on made me cry multiple times on multiple days. (And yes, I love it! 😈) #bookeditor #writingcoach #tipsforwriters #indiesareworthit #amwritingfantasy #fantasyauthor #amwriting #aspiringauthor #NAfantasy #newadultfantasy #amrevising #fantasywriter #amwritingfantasy #romancewriter #developmentaleditor #fantasywritersconnect #scifiwriter #writingtips #amwritingnewadult #fantasywritersofIG
While chatting with @editsandrevisions yesterday, While chatting with @editsandrevisions yesterday, we were talking about series length. One question we discussed was when does it cross the line from telling a story to not wanting to move on to new work? If you know me, you know I’ll say, “Well… it kind of depends.” And it does! Does your story actually need to take place over many books? Is the overarching plot arc there? Character arcs and development? Do you keep things moving forward? Interesting? Not the same plot structure repeated over and over? Or, do you find yourself trying to find a way to hold onto your characters just because you love them? Or just because readers love them? If you answered ‘yes’ to either of these questions, it’s okay! But it might be time for a little tough love on a Friday. 👀 You run the risk of boring readers if your story is being drawn out longer than it needs to be. Or maybe you have the opposite problem. You kept your series short-ish, but now readers are clamoring for more from that world. If you do want to hold onto your characters and keep exploring the world you’ve made, finish your main series in the universe first. Then consider writing: 📚 Novel(la)s & short stories about interesting side characters 📚 New series that follows different characters in the same world Star Wars, Tamora Pierce’s Tortall, and Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse are all examples of how you can create all kinds of content in the same universe. Just something for you to think about as you plan your series! Side note: One of my favorite things about being an editor is getting to work with my clients on their series. I love standalones, too, but diving into a series and helping an author shape it is a special kind of work. 😍 𝗤𝗢𝗧𝗗: Do you have a favorite series that’s been expanded out into a ‘universe?’ Do you plan to do something like that for your books? #bookeditor #writingcoach #tipsforwriters #indiesareworthit #amwritingfantasy #fantasyauthor #amwriting #aspiringauthor #NAfantasy #newadultfantasy #amrevising #fantasywriter #amwritingfantasy #romancewriter #developmentaleditor #fantasywritersconnect #scifiwriter #writingtips #amwritingnewadult #fantasywritersofIG #writerstips
Supporting characters are powerful. They can also Supporting characters are powerful. They can also be fan favorites, and regardless of how big of a role they have in the story, they should get at least some development. 📚 Supporting and side characters are “real” people. They need backstories and lives. This info may not fully come into play depending on their role in the story, but knowing the basics can at least help inform the decisions they make and knowledge they have. 📚 Give them motives and goals. What drives this character? If they reveal something important to your MC… why? If they side with the villain… why? What do they get out of those choices and why is it important to them? 📚 Give them a purpose. Your supporting characters are there for a reason, NOT to fill up space and add more names to the book. Think about why they 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 to be in the story. 📚 Be wary of too many side/minor characters. Your MCs will probably run into all sorts of people on their journey, but not every one of these characters needs to be fully developed or even named. The barista who is in the book for three paragraphs? They can probably just exist and do their in-story job without much else going into them. 📚 Make support characters distinct. They need their own personality and voice on top of goals. Let them be unique and interesting. 📚 If you’re writing from a solo POV but have important “main cast” characters, do deeply develop them. Know their histories, traumas, hopes, fears, and goals. If you’re struggling to figure out a supporting character, try writing a few scenes from their perspective. You might use a scene from your book and just change the POV, or you might dream up something new. This can be a great exercise to better understand any character you create. 𝗤𝗢𝗧𝗗: Who is your favorite side or supporting character, either from your own book or one you’ve read? #bookeditor #writingcoach #tipsforwriters #indiesareworthit #amwritingfantasy #fantasyauthor #amwriting #aspiringauthor #NAfantasy #NAromantasy #newadultfantasy #YAfantasy #amrevising #fantasywriter #romancewriter #fantasywritersconnect #scifiwriter #writingtips #amwritingnewadult #NoTimeLikeNaNo22
We all know books lack a certain level of diversit We all know books lack a certain level of diversity on many levels. How many books are there with BIPOC main characters? Disabled? Chronically ill? Fat? Neurodivergent? Non-binary? LGBTQIA+? Or—dream with me here—a character who belongs to several of these groups? I’m not saying you have to change your main character, nor am I saying you must deeply explore experiences you’ve never had. But if you find yourself only creating characters who are, for example, able-bodied and conventionally attractive, maybe you need to ask yourself why that is. I want to preface this by saying there are some issues I can’t speak to as they aren’t my experience, but I do belong to some of these underrepresented groups listed above. (Not a full list, btw!) There are the obvious tips about actively creating diverse characters, getting sensitivity readers, and researching other communities. Also, follow diverse creators online! Absorb what they’re sharing. But then there are other, deeper things. For disability and body diversity, start doing the hard work of re-examining some of your personal beliefs around things like the “best” or “healthiest” bodies. Deep dive into researching the really harmful tropes that often fall on these diverse characters so you can learn how to avoid them. Learn about the history behind these tropes and beliefs. Start learning about the systemic issues in our world. It’s not easy, and there’s **A LOT** of nuance I can’t cover in one IG post. This barely scratches the surface, and there are plenty of people who have better/deeper advice than me. I'll keep sharing other resources as I come across them. But I hope this post gives you a place to start! 𝗤𝗢𝗧𝗗: What character(s) has made you feel seen? Kaz from Six of Crows makes me feel seen because he also has mobility and chronic pain issues, which my autoimmune arthritis causes for me during flares. 🙋‍♀️ #bookeditor #writingcoach #tipsforwriters #indiesareworthit #amwritingfantasy #fantasyauthor #amwriting #aspiringauthor #NAfantasy #NAromanticfantasy #NAromantasy #newadultfantasy #YAfantasy #amrevising #fantasywriter #amwritingfantasy #romancewriter #developmentaleditor
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