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Your books won’t be for every reader. No matter Your books won’t be for every reader. No matter how much effort you put in, and no matter how polished you get your story, there will still be people who don’t like your book. If that freaks you out, take a deep breath. (And for the record, I totally get it.) The book in this picture, Lore, is an upper YA fantasy featuring the Greek pantheon in a Hunger Games-esque competition set in modern NYC. The breakneck pace—something I don’t usually prefer as a reader—just sucked me in and didn’t let me go. There were other elements that I enjoyed as well, and some I didn’t, but I want to draw attention to the pacing specifically. A couple months after I read it, some reviews popped up on my Instagram feed. I rarely read reviews; they don’t usually sway me one way or another, and if I do peruse them, it’s usually to check content warnings. (Do check CWs for this book if you’re interested in it!) But I read these ones for some reason. One reader had the same feelings I did, while another actually really disliked how fast-paced this book. Yup. That intense speed I really liked actually made someone else drop their rating. Does that mean the author was “wrong” for writing a story with that pace? No. Does that mean the author should’ve done something different? Not necessarily. The pacing fit the story, which was brutal and intense. You’re going to make decisions for your story that please some readers and disappoint others. That doesn’t mean your decisions were wrong. It means your book isn’t for everyone. And you shouldn’t try to please everyone. It’s impossible. Putting in the work for your story is still important, but after you’ve worked through the trouble spots pointed out by betas, CPs, and your editor, you just have to tell your story as best as you can. Now, go forth and write! 🫶 #writershelpingwriters #bookeditor #writingcoach #copyeditor #lineeditor #proofreader #writingtips #writingtipsandtricks #indiesareworthit #indiepublishingcommunity #amediting #amrevising #fictionwriter #amwritingfantasy #novelwriting #amwritingromance #amwritingscifi #indieauthorsofinstag
📚SCHEDULE UPDATE 📚 Hey, writers! I’ve alre 📚SCHEDULE UPDATE 📚 Hey, writers! I’ve already got projects on my calendar deep into the summer. Here’s where my availability currently stands: 🌱 March - June: BOOKED 🌻 July: 2 spots ☀️ August & beyond: Flexible I offer robust editing and coaching packages at varying price points to suit your needs and budget. Payment plans are also available. If you want to get on my schedule for a full edit, please reach out ASAP! Spots are booked on a first come, first served basis. DM me or go to the link in my bio and fill out the contact form to get started. Not ready for full edits but still looking for the input of a professional editor? 📚 Ignite Your Novel Session: This mini critique looks at your first 5,000 words to help kickstart your revisions. Coaching call included. Booking spots in June and July, and I’ll re-open them at some point later in the year. 📚 One-time coaching call: Sometimes we just need to sit down with a pro to get our questions answered. These one-hour calls are great for talking about all kinds of things: plot, character development, worldbuilding, beta feedback, self-publishing, and more. Available even when my editing spots are booked up. My areas of expertise are fantasy, sci-fi, and romance, but I also work in other genres. Let’s chat! DM me or visit the link in my bio. Happy writing! #writershelpingwriters #bookeditor #writingcoach #copyeditor #lineeditor #proofreader #writingtips #writingtipsandtricks #indiesareworthit #indiepublishingcommunity #amediting #amrevising #fictionwriter #amwritingfantasy #novelwriting #amwritingromance #amwritingscifi
Writing can feel lonely. Sitting alone at our comp Writing can feel lonely. Sitting alone at our computers, typing away in a quiet room, with no one in our immediate circle necessarily “getting” what being a writer means or requires. But let me tell you a secret… it really doesn’t have to be that way! Having a writing community brings great things: 📚 Creative connections: Writers in your genre (or similar ones) who might really vibe with your project. 🗨️ Practical connections: Writers who are also learning, or even people who already know a good deal about the industry. ✅ Accountability: Sometimes knowing that someone else is writing at the same time as you can keep you on track! 🥳 Morale boost: Your writing community should cheer you on, both on good days and bad days. 🤓 Learning: Every writer has something to share, and you never know what tip or trick you’ll pick up from your fellow authors. All great things! But finding a writing community isn’t necessarily as easy as just a few clicks online and then boom, you’ve found your people. Different writing groups have different vibes. Our One Page at a Time group, which we host every Friday at 12pm ET, is laid back. We’re there to write, have fun, and chat as we ease into the weekend. If you want something a little more structured and frequent, ✨Manuscript Magic✨ might be for you. The group will meet 13 times in the month of April for writing sessions and group Q&A led by us, two professional editors. Our goal is to: 🌱 Help each writer grow and reach their goal for the month ✍️ Provide a comfortable, relaxed—but still structured!—space for you to get your writing done ❓ Answer your writing, editing, and industry questions 💫 Foster a small but dedicated community and connect you with authors who get it 💻 Work on our manuscripts because we’re writers, too! Sound like something you might like? Visit the link in bio to learn more, or send one of us a DM! QOTD: What do you look for in a writing community? #writershelpingwriters #bookeditor #writingcoach #copyeditor #lineeditor #proofreader #writingtips #writingtipsandtricks #indiesareworthit #indiepublishingcommunity #amediting #amrevising #fictionwriter #amwritingfantasy #novelwriting
If you've never given feedback to another writer b If you've never given feedback to another writer before, or if you were asked to give a specific type of feedback, it might feel like a daunting task. The short of it: approach the task with respect and thoughtfulness. But let's get into the details! Think about your role. Your job isn’t to be brutally, bluntly honest to “break them down and build them up.” Honesty doesn’t require cruelty. Being asked to give feedback is a privilege and one you should treat with respect. Be a thoughtful reader. As an editor, it’s my job to assist the author but never impose my own vision. The same goes for you in your role as beta reader or CP. Use a kind tone while communicating your concerns, and think about what the boundaries are between YOUR ideas and THEIR vision. Get clear on what they want. Some authors want totally unfiltered thoughts, like every single thing you’re thinking. Many are looking for targeted feedback about something like pacing or worldbuilding. Know what your assignment is before you start. Respect the author’s goals. Ask what the author is trying to do with the story and characters, then use that information to provide feedback that helps support their vision. Don’t tell an author you “hate” something. Critiques and personal tastes are both valid, but try to stay objective and respectful. Compliment them. Kind words and positive feedback go a long, long way when authors are slogging through revisions. Remember to point out things they’re doing well or that you really enjoy. And last but not least, stick to the deadline! Authors have deadlines for a reason. If something comes up and you might miss the deadline, reach out to the author ASAP to discuss next steps and possible extensions. QOTD: Authors, what kind of feedback do you like to receive from CPs and betas? #writershelpingwriters #bookeditor #writingcoach #copyeditor #lineeditor #proofreader #writingtips #writingtipsandtricks #indiesareworthit #indiepublishingcommunity #amediting #amrevising #fictionwriter #amwritingfantasy #novelwriting #amwritingromance #amwritingscifi #indieauthorsofinstagram #nanowrimo #instawrimo #tipsforwriters
Your editor doesn’t *have* to be a writer. Edito Your editor doesn’t *have* to be a writer. Editors and authors have two separate skill sets and are often two separate career paths. Are they parallel in many ways? Yes. Do they cross-share some skills? Of course. But being an author doesn’t automatically give someone the skills they need to edit for another writer, just like being an editor doesn’t automatically give someone the skills they need to write a novel. And that’s okay! (I can’t stress this enough.) Becoming an author takes a lot of practice and study, and the same goes for becoming an editor. Many of us enroll in formal programs to build these skills, whether it’s grad school, a post-grad certificate, or programs run by professional editing societies. These programs include workshops and classes that cover topics like: 📕 Practicing editing skills 📗 Style guides and grammar 📘 Giving different types and levels of feedback, from story-level to language-level 📙 Analyzing story, author voice, etc. 📖 How to serve as a bridge between author and reader 📑 … and more! What aren’t they teaching in these programs? How to sit down and write a whole novel. And besides, lots of great editors don’t have any desire to write books of their own. I say all of this as someone who studied editing both as an undergrad *and* in grad school… and who also just finished writing her the fourth novel in her fantasy series. The writing workshops and classes I took in school were vastly different from my editing ones. TL;DR: If you’re in the market for an editor, don’t feel like you *must* find an editor who also writes. It’s fine if they do, but your focus should really be on their editing experience and expertise. That’s what you’re hiring them for! Questions about editors or editing? Drop ‘em in the comments or DM me! #writershelpingwriters #bookeditor #writingcoach #copyeditor #lineeditor #proofreader #writingtips #writingtipsandtricks #indiesareworthit #indiepublishingcommunity #amediting #amrevising #fictionwriter #amwritingfantasy #novelwriting #amwritingromance #amwritingscifi #indieauthorsofinstagram #nanowrimo #instawrimo #tipsforwriters
Manuscript Magic Spring 2023 enrollment is open! ✨ You asked us to bring it back for the new year, so we did! This April, we’re hosting a 4-week version of Manuscript Magic, our group coaching program for fiction authors. By enrolling in Manuscript Magic, you’ll get… 📚 13 hour-long meetings spread out over the course of four weeks, dedicated to sitting down and actually writing 📚 A total of 6 hours of Q&A/group coaching for the program period 📚 Community, accountability, and professional guidance 📚 Access to a group Discord server to discuss projects and ask questions outside of meeting times We’re here to answer your writing and editing questions while providing gentle accountability and a fun, inclusive community. No matter where you are on your writing journey, you’re welcome to join us! Enrollment is $99 USD and open through March 29 or until spots fill up. Visit the link in bio to learn more and sign up, or DM us “Manuscript Magic.” We hope to see you there! #WritersLife #writinglife #WritingCommunity #writingmotivation #writingadvice #writinggroup #writingresource #writingcoaching #findmywritingcommunity #fantasywriter #amwritingfantasy #romancewriter #amwritingromance #scifiwriter #amwritingscifi #indiesareworthit #writingcoach #bookeditor #bookcoach #writinggoals
"I bought another book off social media based on t "I bought another book off social media based on three quotes I saw, and the rest of the story was poorly executed.” ← I’m seeing this kind of content more and more lately from readers. It’s got me thinking. I don't know who needs to hear this, but not every single sentence of your manuscript needs to be bite-size quotable on social media. Focus on telling your story in an engaging, thoughtful way, not what future "likes" and "shares" you'll be getting. And I get it, friends. I really do. We do need social media and word of mouth marketing to help sell our books. We want those viral quotes that draw people in and get them to buy our books. But your whole manuscript just isn’t going to be quotable. And I don’t think you should be striving for that, nor should your marketing fall *only* on this punchy bits. So many impactful moments in stories require build-up and context. They require the full scope of a scene to truly understand the significance, and that’s okay. That’s how most stories are told. Are you still going to have some super quotable sections? 100%! Can you also share some longer-form content on social media that will intrigue readers? 100%! Both have places in your marketing. Focus on telling your story in a coherent, engaging way. Work on your craft. Weave the webs of a complex, intriguing story. Develop your voice. Those pieces are going to build you a fan base in the long run, and publishing is a long-game career. #writershelpingwriters #bookeditor #writingcoach #copyeditor #lineeditor #proofreader #writingtips #writingtipsandtricks #indiesareworthit #indiepublishingcommunity #amediting #amrevising #fictionwriter #amwritingfantasy #novelwriting #amwritingromance #amwritingscifi #indieauthorsofinstagram #nanowrimo #instawrimo #tipsforwriters
How much feedback do you actually take away from c How much feedback do you actually take away from critiques and implement into your manuscript? How do you listen to your gut while also being open to constructive criticism? One of the most important skills you can practice as a writer is being able to take a step back from your manuscript and get curious about the comments you’ve received. Here’s how I personally approach feedback I receive on my creative writing: “What does each comment signal to me as the author?” ➡️ If the comment asks about a character’s motivations in one scene, you may need to revisit that in the scene. And if the reader asks broader questions about worldbuilding, you may need to build up more concrete info about the world. “Is this comment actually something I need to address?” ➡️ The commenter might bring up something you actually *wanted* them to ask. This doesn’t mean you have to immediately drop the answer into the story. This could simply be a signal to you that you’ve got readers on the path you want them on. “Does their suggestion actually fit my characters and overall story vision?” ➡️ Commenters are often well-intentioned, but they aren’t mind readers. If they offer a suggested change and it simply doesn’t fit your vision… don’t make the change. You don’t have to make a change just because someone suggested it or asked questions. Alternatively, even if their suggestion doesn’t fit your story, that doesn’t mean they aren’t pointing out a valid problem. It might be time to brainstorm alternative solutions. “Are multiple commenters bringing up the same issues?” ➡️ If so, this is a strong signal to think about revising that section/that thing. At the end of the day, you have to learn to trust your gut. You know your story and characters better than anyone. I encourage you to be curious about the critiques you receive—from betas, CPs, or editors—and really sit with each comment before you make any decisions to revise OR ignore. And don’t worry, you’ll build confidence in taking feedback as you practice receiving it and learn to trust yourself! It gets easier with practice. QOTD: How do you make decisions about the feedback you get on your manuscript?
Fantasy and sci-fi writers are pros of worldbuildi Fantasy and sci-fi writers are pros of worldbuilding. I mean, y’all are out here creating entirely new worlds and civilizations! It’s amazing. But there are also limitations to how much worldbuilding you can show in one book. When I’m editing, I sometimes come across whole passages of worldbuilding that end up not being relevant. And I get it. I’m a fantasy writer. We take pride in our worlds! But you probably can't show the *whole* world you’ve built. Even if your characters travel from country to country, there are so many nuances you simply won’t get into because of pacing and plot constraints. You might be able to paint in broad strokes, but you likely still can’t fit in ALL the info. So, how can you show off your worldbuilding without just randomly dumping info? Think about: 1. What your characters will see and what they’ll already know. If your characters are in a really big city with a diverse population, maybe they interact with people from other cultures. There might be various cuisines they can eat, languages they hear, and so forth. These small details can start hinting at the larger world your novel exists in even if your characters aren’t traveling to those locations. 2. Your characters’ backgrounds. Even if they live in one location, is one of their parents—or someone else in their family/friend group—from another country? If so, what traditions might they engage in and what knowledge might they have? Again, not necessarily a spot to info dump, but this info might be relevant to your character’s life in some way. 3. What’s relevant to the story. Even if you have 18 countries you’ve deeply developed, if your characters aren’t engaging with those countries . . . you probably don’t need to bring them into the story. Too much extraneous worldbuilding is going to confuse readers and throw off the story. Even if you think about these as you draft, you’ll probably need to balance this out as you revise. We all do! So don’t worry about getting it perfectly right in your first few drafts. Good luck and happy writing!
Infodumping. We’ve all heard that term; maybe yo Infodumping. We’ve all heard that term; maybe you’ve even had beta readers or editors tell you that you’ve infodumped. What is infodumping, exactly? And what constitutes an infodump compared to relevant context? Well, that largely depends on your story and the exact passage we’re talking about. But when I’m editing, this is often what I’m asking myself: 1. Am I getting paragraphs of dense worldbuilding (including world history) at one time? Or am I getting a few sentences—maybe one full paragraph—of context to let me know what that Thing is? 2. Has the author dumped a ton of world (and magic if fantasy) rules into one area? Or are they providing necessary context while trusting me to understand the rest through scenes playing out? 3. Are we being given intense and long character descriptions—their appearance but possibly their personality and/or personal backstory—in one spot? Or are we given enough information to get a base understanding of this new character, then given the opportunity to learn about them through what’s shown on the page? These can sometimes be fine lines to walk. What one person considers an infodump, another person may consider appropriate context. What one person may consider appropriate context, another person may think is not enough information at all. That’s why having a couple of rounds of feedback from different people can be really helpful. And this is one of the reasons I love doing developmental edits and manuscript critiques; I can help authors find more balance in infodumping vs. giving the reader building blocks. (Booking for May 2023 and beyond, btw! 😉) Later this week, I’ll share a post about how to show off some of your worldbuilding—especially for you, sci-fi and fantasy writers—while avoiding infodumps. #writershelpingwriters #bookeditor #writingcoach #copyeditor #lineeditor #proofreader #writingtips #writingtipsandtricks #indiesareworthit #indiepublishingcommunity #amediting #amrevising #fictionwriter #amwritingfantasy #novelwriting #amwritingromance #amwritingscifi #indieauthorsofinstagram #nanowrimo #instawrimo #tipsforwriters
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