Story Renovations: Guided Developmental Editing for Novelists

Welcome to Story Renovations, a workbook for authors who want to strengthen their story while learning how to look more critically at their own work.

It's not a quick fix for your manuscript or a series of simple blank worksheets full of boxes to fill in, but a mini course on developmental editing! You'll learn to look at your story from different angles to see its strengths and weaknesses, then follow guided exercises in diving deeper into your characters and themes to strengthen your plot.

Learn how to:

• Pinpoint structural weaknesses
• Strengthen boring characters
• Flesh out themes
• Leverage conflict for increased story tension
• Identify and fix plot holes
• Increase reader engagement
• Focus on individual scene goals
• Avoid a sagging middle
• Leave readers satisifed
• And much more!

Q: Do I need a developmental edit?

A: The answer is always yes, but not all authors can afford to pay an editor for a full developmental edit. Story Renovations offers a cost-effective alternative, saving you hundreds of dollars and helping you become a better author while learning the skills to strengthen your story. Let's help your novel achieve its potential!

Q: Do I have to fill out every part of the workbook?

A: Not necessarily. While I fully recommend going through every section, you can choose to use only sections you're concerned about. The book map and shrunken manuscript exercises are optional as well, but doing one or both will give you a much clearer picture of your story's structure, strengths, and weaknesses.

Q: Is this the only developmental work I'll need to do on my manuscript?

A: Going through these exercises and making the revisions you plan will go a long way toward making your story amazing, but you should always get as many critical eyes as possible on your manuscript. As an author, you can't know how your work will come across, whether everything makes sense, and if it's reaching its full potential, so please use alpha and beta readers!