The Novel Writing How-To Blog

Follow the Write Your Novel Now! Blog to learn how to write your novel in months rather than years!

Revise & Refine Amanda Webster Revise & Refine Amanda Webster

Big picture issues 101: The dreaded plot hole

Plot holes can be frustrating for readers and can take them out of the story. They can also undermine the credibility of the story and make it difficult for readers to suspend their disbelief. That's why it's important for writers to carefully review their work and ensure that the plot is consistent and follows its own internal logic.

image source: https://amzn.to/3qER21H

Read More
Revise & Refine Amanda Webster Revise & Refine Amanda Webster

The revise & refine stage of the novel writing process

The key differences between revising, editing, and proofreading lie in the level of detail and scope of changes involved in each level of revising and refining. Thus, the revise and refine step of the writing process begins by first looking at the manuscript as a whole before narrowing the focus to individual chapters, paragraphs, and sentences.

image credit: https://amzn.to/3Osgm2E

Read More
Evaluate, Revise & Refine Amanda Webster Evaluate, Revise & Refine Amanda Webster

What is a developmental edit, anyway?

A developmental edit is a type of editing that focuses on the big-picture elements of a novel manuscript such as its structure, plot, character development, and theme. Developmental editors help authors to identify and fix problems with manuscripts such as weak plot points, underdeveloped characters, or an unclear story arc. They may also offer suggestions for improving the manuscript's overall readability and impact.

Read More