You know that moment when you sit down to watch “just one episode,” and suddenly, it’s 2 in the morning? There are many elements in screenwriting that come together to convince you to watch "just one more episode"—cliff-hangers, emotional turns, and perfectly timed reveals. That’s pacing at work—the rhythm of storytelling that keeps audiences hooked. And here’s the thing: The same techniques that make TV shows and movies addictive can make your writing do the same, convincing

You’ve finished a draft. Now comes the part that separates a decent draft from a polished manuscript: revision and self-editing. Many writers dread this stage because they fear “cutting too much” or losing their voice and the meaning of their work. But the truth is, careful tightening makes your writing clearer, sharper, and more impactful. As an editor, the number one difference I observe between the manuscripts of beginner and experienced writers is the knowledge of how to

Writers often face the delicate challenge of crafting stories that feel both surprising and inevitable. A well-timed twist or a big reveal in the final climax should shock the reader, not because it came from nowhere but because they realize—retrospectively—that it was always coming. This is the power of foreshadowing: the subtle placement of hints and clues that build suspense, reinforce themes, and prepare the reader for what lies ahead. Done well, foreshadowing isn't a tri

If you’re new to writing and dreaming of publishing your first book, but you’re staring at "The End" and wondering, now what? —this post is for you. 👋 As a freelance book editor and proofreader, I often work with writers who aren’t sure what the next steps are after getting words on the page. Here’s a practical Q&A to guide you through what comes next. Q: I've finished my first draft. What do I do? A: Step one: Celebrate!  Writing a first draft is a big accomplishment. Then:

When writing fiction, it’s easy to get caught up in plot twists, character arcs, and world-building. But behind every compelling story lies something deeper—something that connects the narrative to a reader’s heart. That "something" is theme. More than just a literary device, theme is the emotional core of your story, the underlying message or question that gives your novel its soul. Rather than being spelled out for the reader, or "on the nose" as I like to say, themes often

Every editor, whether freelance or working with a team of editors at a publishing house, will have a slightly different process for editing and proofreading a book. For indie authors, this process will largely depend on what they have hired the editor to do. This blog post provides the what-it-looks-like snapshot of each key moment during editing (as I experience it with clients). Most of these moments should carry over, in a broad sense, to just about any editor you work wit

Hiring a professional editor is an important part of the publishing process, but before you hand your manuscript over, some necessary groundwork should be completed. By preparing your manuscript properly, authors ensure the editing process is efficient, cost-effective, and productive. Here are some critical steps to consider before sending your work to an editor. (These come from my own experience working with debut authors and writers who are new to self-publishing.) 1. Self

Writing and publishing can feel like an uphill battle, filled with self-doubt and numerous hurdles. This weekend, I attended a local...

One of the biggest challenges some authors face is knowing when they’ve reached the end of their book. The process of wrapping up a book requires careful consideration of the narrative's structure, character arcs, and overall goals. Ask any author how they decided where and how to end their book, and you'll receive many different answers. Some authors know "the end" right from the beginning and plot their story backward. Some "pants" their way through and stop where it feels

Proofreaders aren't just eagle-eyed typo hunters. For many indie authors, proofreaders can often be a valuable resource for navigating the next steps in the self-publishing process. If you've never thought to ask your proofreader about what to do with your polished manuscript, here's a step-by-step guide that will take your manuscript from final polished draft to published book. This checklist assumes that you have standardized the formatting of your manuscript document and a

(Aka editors are human, too!) A book editor on professional online interactions In today's digital age, our interactions increasingly happen behind screens. Whether it's chatting with friends, attending virtual meetings, or working with professionals, the internet connects us in creative ways more than any other time in modern history.  However, it's essential to remember that behind every email, comment, or feedback note from an editor, there's a real person. Yes, book edito

A brand is more than just a logo or a catchy slogan. It’s the overall perception that consumers have of a product, service, business, or...

Style sheets are a mainstay of the traditional editing and publishing process. Yet many writers and authors don't know what they are or how they can be put to use. In this blog, I'll break down what types of information the style sheet records and ways that authors can use this information to support their writing endeavors. What a style sheet is An editorial style sheet is a record of all editorial decisions made in the editing and proofreading process. It ensures that an ed

In the past, I’ve talked about how freelance editors might charge for their services. There are many ways professionals might do this, but one way I discussed was using the sample edit to determine how many hours a project is estimated to take, applying an hourly rate, and then charging a full project fee. Time is, therefore, money, as the saying goes. Logically, it makes sense then that saving time will also save you money. Now, before anyone objects, let me explain what I m

In the editing world, time really is money. Editors have to strike a balance between setting a rate they can live on and completing work in a timely, methodical, and conscientious way, while keeping a good flow and not letting projects stagnate. So, the longer a manuscript takes to edit (no matter how long it is), the higher the cost for authors. Some editors may offer a flat or fixed rate, but many will adjust their per word, hourly, or project rates based on how long they p

It’s a wide world of freelance editors out there, and not every editor provides the same types, or levels, of editing. Start your search by determining what you think your manuscript needs. Levels of editing Traditional phases of editing come in four flavors: Developmental, story, or structural edits look at the “big picture”: character arcs, plot, pacing, creating action sequences, dialogue, narrative tense, and point of view. Line editing is editing at the sentence level, f

In an unregulated industry that primarily takes place over the Internet, scammers abound. Indie authors often save for professional editing, and it can be a costly mistake to hire the “wrong one.” How do you know you’re hiring a reputable professional editor? More important, how do you know you’re hiring the right kind of editor for your manuscript? From an editor’s perspective, there are a few standard cues to look for when vetting your editor. Do they have a professional bu

Independent authors are faced with many decisions during the self-publishing process, not least of which is determining what type of editing their manuscript needs. The decision to hire a professional editor, in itself, introduces a whole host of choices that can lead very quickly to decision fatigue. The editing trend There is a temptation, especially if one frequents writer Facebook groups and other corners of the Internet, to skimp on editing and instead rely on the help o

There are quite a few articles and blogs circulating around amongst indie author and editor Facebook groups on what goes into the cost of professional editing. I don’t know if it’s fueled by frustration from indie editors, a simple desire to educate, or both. Regardless, it’s a relevant topic and one that every editor with a blog should probably write about at some point. I can imagine the situation for indie authors searching for an editor. It’s probably bewildering to put f