Your Next Draft

Send me a Text Message. This is often overlooked, but it’s essential for great stories. How do you make time pass? Well, when you’re living your regular life in the real world, you don’t have to do anything. Time is constantly passing, no matter what you do. And when a timer goes off, or you look outside and see the sun’s gone down, or you feel your stomach growl with hunger, you notice time has passed. You hardly have to think about it. It’s just happening, all around you, all the time. In your novel, though—well, there, you are responsible for charting the passage of time. You are the filter who determines how time passes. More than that, you are responsible for telling your readers how much time is going by. It’s an essential part of storytelling, and yet it’s often overlooked. So in this episode, we’re talking about time. You’ll learn: don’tI’ve read so many manuscripts where I lose track of time and have to ask the writer, “Wait, when does this happen?” Check out this episode and save yourself from this common oversight. Support the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. Write your best stories—and know when to let go and publish them. In order to write great books, you first have to learn how to write great books. But when it comes to writing, there’s always something more to learn. So how do you know when to practice your writing skills—and more importantly, when to publish the stories you’re creating? That’s what I’m talking about in this episode. In it, you’ll learn: learningpublishingandSo are you practicing or publishing? There’s no right or wrong answer. It’s just a question of which approach is best for you, right now. Check out the episode and find out! Links mentioned in the episode: Ep. 68: You Can't Skip Learning How to Write a Novel. Here's WhySupport the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. Before you can master writing great stories, you have to learn to craft great stories. When I was fifteen, I got my learner’s permit and began learning how to drive a car. This made me very unhappy. See, I wanted to know how to drive a car. I didn’t want to learn to drive a car. Knowing how to drive a car was fun, freeing, and exciting. Learning to drive a car was dangerous, tedious, dangerous, difficult, and also dangerous. Writers, I find, feel the same way about writing great books. Writers want to write great books. They don’t want to learn how to write great books. The stakes aren’t life or death. But the sentiment is the same. And just like fifteen-year-old me, writers face an uncomfortable truth: You can’t skip the learning stage of skill development. If you want to write great books, you have to spend time learning to write great books. In this episode, I’m digging into what it really takes to learn the skill of writing great books—and how to know when you’ve mastered it. You’ll learn: notThe amazing book you want to craft is on the other side of the learning stage. Check out the episode and build the skills that empower you to write it. Support the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. Because working with an editor should be delightful, not scary. Let's be honest. When you start working with an editor for the first time, it can feel a little scary. You’re sharing your manuscript, the project you’ve worked so hard on, with a stranger on the internet. You’re inviting another person into a process that up until now has been entirely solo. And you’re entering an industry of professionals that’s probably entirely new to you. What should you expect? And what’s expected of you? In this episode, I’m demystifying what it’s like to work with an editor. I’m sharing four tips to help you make the most of your time with your editor—even (or especially!) if you’ve never worked with an editor before. You’ll learn: Your work with your developmental editor can be one of the most rewarding creative partnerships you’ll ever experience. That may sound hyperbolic, but it’s 100% true. The first step is simply knowing what to expect. And that’s what you’ll learn in this episode. Links mentioned in the episode: alicesudlow.com/wishlistalicesudlow.com/contactEp. 66: 4 Tips to Find the Right Editor for Your NovelSupport the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. What you need to know BEFORE you start working with an editor—and how to tell if they’re the right fit for your novel. Working with a developmental editor can be the most rewarding part of your editing process. But if you’ve never worked with an editor before, it can also be . . . intimidating. Confusing. Scary. After all, you’ve got to hand your manuscript that you’ve worked so hard on to a stranger on the internet and hope their feedback will be helpful and not soul-crushing. If you’ve ever wondered how to find the right editor for your book— —or maybe you’ve worked with an editor before, and it wasn’t a great experience— —then this episode is for you. In it, I’m sharing my top tips to find the right editor for your novel. You’ll learn: When you find the right editor for your book, the developmental editing process can be so incredibly rewarding. My coaching clients often tell me that the hour we spend together on calls is their favorite hour of the week. But if you don’t know how any of this works, you might feel a little lost. So let’s make it a little clearer and easier, shall we? And if you’d like to see if I’m the right editor for your novel, let’s talk! Go here to check out my manuscript wishlist and see whether I’m a good fit for your story. And go here to reach out and tell me about your book! Links mentioned in the episode: Check out my manuscript wishlist:alicesudlow.com/wishlistWork with me:alicesudlow.com/contactSupport the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. What we get wrong about creativity—and the truth that will make your writing and editing so much more effective. Do you know how great stories work? Scratch that. Let’s start with an easier question. Do you know how your stories work? Not all writers do. Even published authors often struggle to articulate how they created the books their readers love. They rely on intuition, following gut feelings to shape their stories. But while your intuition can guide you to create a commercially successful novel . . . . . . I believe there’s a better way. An easier way. A less confusing and chaotic, more reliable and repeatable way. And that’s what this episode is all about. In it, you’ll learn: Your intuition is a powerful storytelling tool. But it’s not your only tool. And in this episode, I’ll show you why that’s such wonderful news. Links mentioned in the episode: Ep. 36: Your Story Has Deep Meaning. Do You Know What It Is?Ep. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and SceneP.S. What do you get when an editor and a nuclear physicist walk into a swing dance? Powerful truths about jazz music and storytelling, it turns out. Check out the episode to see what I mean. Support the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. Why group coaching might be the perfect way to get feedback on your writing. When I was first getting started, I pictured editing like this: A writer writes a manuscript and sends it to their editor. The editor writes feedback and sends it back. The writer takes that feedback and uses it to edit their manuscript. That’s the classic form of editing. But it’s far from the only form of editing. Editing doesn’t even have to be one-on-one. In fact, sometimes group coaching can be exactly what you need! In this episode, I’m breaking down the pros and cons of group coaching for writers. You’ll learn: canGroup coaching isn’t better than one-on-one editing, or vice versa. It’s just different—a different experience that can meet different needs in your writing in a different way. In fact, you might decide to try both group and one-on-one editing at different points in your writing career. So it’s great to know what your options are! Links mentioned in the episode: alicesudlow.com/workshopSupport the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. The simple editing process to turn your messy first draft into a second draft you love. “I’ve written first drafts before, but I’ve never edited a second draft. How do you actually do it?” A writer asked me this a few days ago. And they’re not alone—it’s a question I hear a lot. How do you actually edit a novel? Is there a process? A system? A strategy? Something, anything, to guide you after you finish the first draft? Yes. Yes, there’s a process to edit a novel. Better yet, it’s a simple process. (That doesn’t mean it’s easy—don’t get those confused. But it’s not complicated.) And in this episode, I’ll walk you through this process step by step. You’ll learn: don’tnotIf you’ve ever felt lost, confused, daunted, or completely overwhelmed by the very idea of editing your novel— —or if you’ve been editing, but you can’t tell whether you’re making progress or just spinning your wheels— —then this episode is for you. Links mentioned in the episode: alicesudlow.com/contactEp. 31: 3 Ways to Create a Scene List That Makes Your Editing Process (Almost) EasyStory Structure: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and SceneCharacter Arcs: Three-Act or Four-Act Structure: Which Is Best for Your Novel?Theme: Your Story Has Deep Meaning. Do You Know What It Is?Point of View: The Most Important Principle When Choosing Your Point of ViewSupport the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. It sounds scary, but it’s actually MAJOR editing progress. What if the best way to make progress on your novel . . . . . . is to go back to the beginning? Sometimes, the most effective editing strategy is a page one rewrite. Yes, that means exactly what it sounds like. You open a blank document and begin writing an entirely fresh manuscript. It might feel like you’re moving backwards. But you’re not. And in this episode, I’m going to prove it to you. You’ll learn: isn’t If a page one rewrite is your best next step, consider this episode your pep talk. You’ve got this. And it’s going to be so, so worth it. Links mentioned in the episode: Ep. 61: What It REALLY Means to Make Progress Editing Your NovelSupport the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. Editing progress doesn’t always look like you’d expect. Here’s how to recognize it. If your editing is going great, you’ll enjoy this episode. Honestly, though, if editing feels like the worst thing in the world right now, you’ll love this episode even more. Here’s what’s in store: How do you know whether you’re really making progress editing your novel? In the episode, you’ll learn: If you’re feeling stuck, stagnant, or overwhelmed, don’t miss this episode. I hope it gives you just the boost you need to start this year of writing and editing strong. One more thing: This year, I’m moving Your Next Draft to a biweekly podcasting schedule. Rather than sharing a new episode every week, I’ll have a new episode every other week. I’m making this shift to allow me to spend more time with my editing clients. You’ll still get to hear from me on the podcast! I’ll still be sharing the same actionable editing content designed to help you navigate your own novel editing process. It’ll just be every other week rather than every week. To hear more about this shift, check out the episode. Links mentioned in the episode: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheetalicesudlow.com/waitlistSupport the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. Here’s what happens when you absolutely NAIL IT in your story. Sometimes, you just nail it. The ideas click. The words flow. The revision works. Those days are my favorite days to give my clients feedback. When the pieces finally fall into place and the story is transformed for the better. On those days, I get to share my most joyful editing feedback. And in this episode, I’m sharing that feedback with you. You’ll learn: andknowworksMost of all, though, in this episode, I’m celebrating you. I’m celebrating all the hard work and incredible progress you’ve made in your editing this year. It’s a short one, but a good one, and a great way to wrap up your year of writing. Happy editing, and I’ll see you in 2024! Support the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. Your editing process has more in common with building a business than you might think. Editing a novel and building a business . . . well, they’re actually not all that different. That’s something I’ve been thinking about all year. As I’ve coached writers through the editing process, I’ve been struck again and again by how similar novel editing and business building really are. After all, they’re both large creative projects. The kind that demand a lot: grit, perseverance, continual learning. And the kind that lead to incredible rewards for those with the courage to pursue them. Which means the lessons I’ve learned in this year of building my business also apply to you in your writing. (And I’ve learned a lot of things!) In this episode, I’m sharing five of my business-building lessons that will apply to your novel, too. You’ll learn: Your Next Draft is all about inviting you in to the editing tools and strategies I’m using in my own editing practice. And in this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and getting a little more vulnerable than usual. I hope this inspires you to reflect on your year of writing and editing, too. What have you learned this year? What new editing wisdom are you taking into 2024? Links mentioned in the episode: The Editing PodcastSupport the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. The year’s most popular editing tip, plus four more strategies I don’t want you to miss. What’s the best editing tip you’ve learned this year? If you’ve been listening to Your Next Draft all year, there are quite a few to pick from—fifty, in fact. So in this episode, I’m taking a look back at this year on Your Next Draft. I’ve selected the top five editing tips from 2023, tips you can put to use in your writing right away. In it, you’ll hear: It’s been a great year on the podcast. I can’t wait to share more editing strategies with you in 2024! Links mentioned in the episode: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheetjdedwin.comEp. 8: What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing ScenesEp. 23: 3 Simple Steps to Edit Absolutely Anything in Your NovelEp. 20: Listen in on a Real-Life Scene Edit with Author and Editor Kim KesslerEp. 33: The 3-Step Formula to Evoke Emotion and Make Your Readers FeelEp. 35: How to Create an Editing Process That Works for You With Author JD EdwinEp. 50: Use This One Editing Tip for Everything You WriteSupport the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. What dozens of manuscripts and dozens of writers all have in common. This weekend, I celebrated the one year anniversary of launching my editing business. And since the one year mark is a pretty major milestone, and we’re nearing the end of 2023, I’ve been looking back. I’ve edited dozens of novels and coached dozens of writers this year. And while the stories vary widely, there’s one theme I’ve encountered in them all—and it applies to your story, too. In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from a year of coaching writers and editing novels. You’ll hear: andIt’s been a wonderful year of editing, full of amazing stories and equally amazing writers. And I can’t wait to see what 2024 has in store! Links mentioned in the episode: alicesudlow.com/contactSupport the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. Four questions to make every scene of your novel un-put-down-able. Some of your scenes are really exciting. They’re the big ones, the reasons why your readers picked up your book: the first kiss, the epic battle, the discovery of the body. And some of your scenes . . . well, they’re the stuff that happens in between the exciting scenes. In those scenes, the story slows down. Sometimes it slows down a lot. To glacial pace. To “eh, maybe I’ll finish reading this later” pace. How do you keep your readers hooked? How do you keep them turning pages even during the scenes that are action-light and exposition-heavy? In this episode, I’ll walk you through four questions to make sure even your “slow” scenes are un-put-down-able. You’ll learn: Your story is worth reading from cover to cover. Here’s how to make sure you don’t lose your readers during a dull moment midway through. Links mentioned in the episode: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheetalicesudlow.com/contactEp. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every StoryEp. 11: How to Edit a Scene of a Novel, Part 1Ep. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and SceneSupport the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. Make your readers care about your story by getting specific about what your protagonist wants—and why. What does your protagonist want? I bet you have an answer for that question. I also bet that your answer is a little . . . generic. See, the thing your protagonist wants is good. They might want to save a victim from a villain, or fall in love, or get a promotion, or solve a mystery. We all agree those are good things to want. But that doesn’t move us, doesn’t make us care about your protagonist and their goal, unless we know why they want it. So in this episode, we’re digging in deep to find out not only what your character wants, but why they want it. You’ll learn: reallyyourYou might just discover new layers to your character you didn’t even know were there. Links mentioned in the episode: alicesudlow.com/characterworksheetEp. 21: How to Identify Your Protagonist's Want and Need (And Why Those Matter to Your Plot)Support the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. The 7 layers of analysis I use to edit a fourth draft of a novel. I don’t know about you, but right now, my schedule is full. My days are packed with editing. I have several manuscripts I’m absolutely loving on my desk right now, so many pages to read, and so many notes to share with writers. With all this editing, I didn’t have time to put together a typical episode of Your Next Draft for you. So . . . I’m doing something a little different today. I’ve decided to pull back the curtain on the editing I’m doing right now, this week, on the manuscript I’m currently reading. In this episode, you’ll get a glimpse of how I think about a manuscript as I edit it. You’ll see: notreallyIf you’ve ever wondered what a developmental editor is thinking when they’re editing a novel . . . . . . well, this is it. These are my thoughts, almost in-the-moment, as I edit a manuscript I’m loving. Huge shoutout to author J. D. Edwin, whose manuscript this episode is about, and who gave me the all clear to share a glimpse at our process together. She’ll be delighted if you check out her books at jdedwin.com. They’re really good books. (Yes, I’m a bit biased, because I edited them. But still. They’re really good.) Links mentioned in the episode: jdedwin.comHow to Create an Editing Process That Works for You With Author JD Edwinalicesudlow.com/wishlistalicesudlow.com/contactSupport the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. The minimum viable character questionnaire to develop all your side characters. How do you flesh out a flat character? Create a cast your readers will fall in love with? Make each character realistic, well-developed, and believable? There are tons of character development questionnaires and personality tests and character sketch templates out there. They’ll ask you everything from “What’s your character’s deepest fear?” to “What’s their hair color?” to “What toppings do they most hate on pizza?” But you don’t need all those questions in order to create a richly-developed character. Truly, you don’t. In this episode, I’m sharing the shortest possible character development exercise. I call it the Minimum Viable Character Development Questionnaire. (There are more words in that title than questions in the questionnaire.) You’ll learn: anyLinks mentioned in the episode: alicesudlow.com/characterworksheetEp. 18: 2 Essential Questions to Craft a Compelling Character ArcEp. 21: How to Identify Your Protagonist's Want and Need (And Why Those Matter to Your Plot)Support the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. Use the limitations of your POV to enhance your story. Your story’s point of view impacts everything. It shapes how your readers get access to information about your story. And it shapes what information they have access to. And since at its core, storytelling is just telling your reader information about a story, this is huge. In this episode, I’m tackling a common POV problem I’ve seen in many, many manuscripts. You’ll learn: goodSupport the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Send me a Text Message. How to make the most of your editor’s feedback—even if you disagree with it. If you want to make the most of your editor’s feedback, there’s one phrase not to say. It’s natural. It’s normal. It’s something I’ve definitely said in other areas of my life. But when you’re collaborating with an editor to make your novel the best it can be, this phrase won’t help you. And in this episode, I’m sharing what this pesky phrase is and why it’s so dangerous. You’ll learn: notorIf you’ve ever wondered how to make the most of working with an editor, this episode is for you. I hope it makes it a little easier—and more exciting!—to get an editor’s feedback. Links mentioned in this episode: alicesudlow.comalicesudlow.com/servicesalicesudlow.com/wishlistalicesudlow.com/contactSupport the Show. Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook. And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »