A great debate in all storytelling is where should your story start?

There is no right way because every story is different and has different needs.

But one of the most popular solutions is to start your story with an action scene! 

So let’s discuss the different types of action, the pros, and the cons.

I’ve been getting a lot of questions recently about main characters, how much detail to give about them to make them believable but not too overwhelming to the reader.

And it is a tricky balance, to be sure, not to mention all the information out there for authors. So let’s discuss what I believe you need to know, and leave out, as you plan your main characters. 

Some of the greatest story ideas spark from the weird, wild, or wonderful around us.

Looking for a new character or story? Check out the below to see if it is the perfect starting point for your next idea!

See those two awesome nerds right there? I’m the one taking the awkward selfie in public and the other, who is actually focused on what she should be doing, is my sister. We get together to work on Saturday mornings whenever possible, and even though we are technically on opposite ends of the content spectrum — an author frantically trying to put down words, and an editor gleefully cutting them out — it’s still incredible how much she pushes me to do better, be better.

I only have one thing to say to you — DON’T LET MONDAY WIN! It is a vile, devious day, but we shall prevail! While there is no reward I can offer you to soften the blow, there are several coping mechanisms I’ve come to rely on that will hopefully help you as much as they help me.

Godspeed, my friends. See you on the other side.

if you are reading this, you’ve made it to day two! Whether you met your goal yesterday or not, you are back at the computer to tackle another 1,667 words today, which means you are AWESOME. Here are a few tips to keep you pushing, even though it is Saturday, your brain is tired, and Netflix is calling your name.

Whenever I tell someone I’m an editor, nine out of ten times the reaction I get is, “Ugh, grammar.” And when I explain my developmental editing focus, it is quickly followed by a “Huh?” 

For those not familiar with the publishing process, the concept of a developmental edit can seem foreign. Most are used to thinking of editing only the copyediting sense.

Editing is so much more than just that! As a developmental editor, I get to dive into the heart of your novel and help you clarify your vision for readers. Best. Job. Ever. But what is a developmental edit?

I’ve broken down the most common beginning steps that authors skip when starting a novel and how working through these initial phases will help you prepare as you start to plot or write, and continue to support your story all the way through pitching and publication.