Not Everyone Is Your Audience
A teacher friend recently asked me if I would come speak to her English class, as an editor and writer.…
Editing and Revision
Editing, Revision, and Giving Up on a Story
When an author hires a professional editor, they are consulting an expert in the field with extensive experience and knowledge…
Finding the Courage to Cut
It’s terrifying to make big, substantive cuts in your story—even if you’re not happy with how it’s holding together. Taking…
Anatomy of a Revision (Or, Surmounting the Suck)
My actual journey across the Suckpits of Suckville to the shiny gates of Finished Draft City, in case it might…
How to Kill Your Darlings
If you’d like to receive my blog in your in-box each week, click here. Writers are an emotional bunch. We pour…
Assessing Writing Feedback: Criticism, Commentary, and Critique
If you’d like to receive my blog in your in-box each week, click here. Imagine living in a world without mirrors.…
Analyzing What Makes Story Work (or Not)
Regular readers know that I tout the value of analyzing other storytellers’ work as the best way to improve your…
F*** the Cat
The salty little title of this post came from a conversation I had with an author I was working with…
The Giddy Delight—and Incalculable Value—of Analyzing Masterful Work
Since we got back from our New York trip I haven’t been able to stop listening to this song from…
Why We Can’t Look Away from White Lotus
If you’d like to receive my blog in your in-box each week, click here. I’m a little behind the curve, but…