One of the most common issues in fiction writing—especially among new writers—is use of process language. This is when narration explains every action or thought a character goes through, which can slow the pace and pull readers out of the story. Learning to cut it out is a powerful tool for making writing leaner and more immersive. What is process language? Process language describes how  a character is doing something rather than showing the result or impact . It often read

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

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

Fiction is more than a sequence of events—it’s an experience. A good story tells us what happened; a great story makes us feel  it. One of the most powerful tools a writer has to make that happen is figurative language. It’s what turns plain prose into something immersive, emotional, and unforgettable. Whether you're crafting a sweeping epic or a quiet character study, figurative language isn't just decorative—it's foundational. Perhaps you remember learning about figurative

On LinkedIn recently a fellow freelance editor challenged a few folks to rewrite a set of sentences to reduce repetition and enhance sentence style and variability. It's difficult to edit for style without full context, but it was a fun exercise, and I had even more fun reading through the comments for other people's suggestions. No two suggestions were the same! Read on for the next post in the series on elements of style in fiction: sentence structure. One of the hallmarks

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

What developmental editors do can be a bit of a mystery to the uninitiated, so I asked some of my DE colleagues for a broad picture of how they go about the editing process. (No, I am not a developmental editor.) Developmental editing As described in other blog posts and places on my site, developmental editing is generally considered “big picture” editing. A developmental editor performs three tasks in the editing process: They read the client’s full manuscript at whatever s