This post is a compilation of posts on writing, revising, and editing fiction.
Mechanics of Writing
Plot and Structure
Most novels follow the classic three-act structure. Different writing instructors teach this in different ways. Here are a few:
- Michael Hague’s Six-Stage Structure
- Randy Ingermanson’s Snowflake Method
- KM Weiland’s 10 Steps to Story Structure
Scenes also have structure:
Point of View
Point of view is one of the most common issues I see with first-time fiction writers: Understanding Point of View
If you don’t understand point of view, then I recommend reading Characters and Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card.
Show, Don’t Tell
Show, don’t tell is an oft-quoted rule that isn’t always clearly defined:
If telling is a problem for you, then I recommend reading Understanding Show Don’t Tell (And Really Getting It) by Janice Hardy.
Common Writing Questions
These articles were all inspired by questions I’ve been asked online or in person, or issues I’ve seen in manuscripts I’ve worked on or novels I’ve read.
- Can I use backstory?
- Getting setting right
- Kill your darlings
- What is Chekov’s Gun?
- Can my characters have secrets?
- Does my main character have to be likeable?
- Can I use miracles in my novel?
- Can I use flashbacks in my novel?
Common Revision Questions
- How do I self-edit?
- How do I give critical feedback on a beta read?
- Is my novel good enough to publish?
Common Editing Questions
Editing questions fall into two main areas: the big-picture “why” questions, and the more detailed “how do I …” questions:
- Why do authors need to know how to revise and self-edit?
- What is your editing process?
- How long will it take to edit my novel (and how much will it cost)?
How Do I …
These tend to be style questions. As such, there is no right or wrong answer. It will depend on the style guide you are using:
My favourite books on self-editing are:
- Revision and Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by James Scott Bell
- Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King
- Strengthen Your Fiction by Understanding Weasel Words by Melissa Jagears
- The Word Loss Diet by Rayne Hall
Check out my Amazon shop for all my writing book recommendations.
