Omniscience vs. Head-Hopping

Omniscience vs. Head-Hopping

While the omniscient point of view (POV) is considered a bit outdated today—with favor being given to third-person limited or first-person—it still comes up now and again. And with it there is the danger of head-hopping, or jumping from one perspective to another. Why...
Be Wary of Vague Pronoun References

Be Wary of Vague Pronoun References

A vague pronoun reference occurs when a pronoun could be referring to multiple antecedents. This lack of clarity can lead to confusion, especially in scenes with a lot of people speaking/acting or in scenes with a lot of action, such as a fight. I spot vague pronouns...
Tackle Manuscript Revisions in Passes

Tackle Manuscript Revisions in Passes

Revising a first (or second or third) draft can feel overwhelming. Make it easier on yourself by working in pieces—or passes. Rather than trying to fix plot holes alongside misplaced commas, instead deal with the big problems first and work your way down to typos....
When Revising, Ask Yourself: Who Cares?

When Revising, Ask Yourself: Who Cares?

The question may come across as harsh, but it’s one of the simplest ways to decide if elements within your story are working for it, against it, or if (worst case scenario) they’re doing nothing at all. Ask (and be honest with) yourself: Is this information that we...
Organizing Your Developmental Revisions

Organizing Your Developmental Revisions

When transitioning from your drafting phase to revision, it can be useful to approach your changes from the biggest level of edits (plot holes, character development, etc.) first and work your way down to the smallest edits, like grammar and punctuation. In other...
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