Advanced Fiction Editing One-On-One Instruction

In this course, you will learn not only what elements are required in an engaging novel, but why. For example, we often tell writers to begin with action. Why? Because action stimulates adrenaline, which keeps readers turning pages.

We’ll cover a variety of common character and plot weaknesses that new writers often demonstrate, including unlikeable protagonists, unsatisfying endings, and viewpoint slips. We’ll talk about how to help writers choose between omniscient viewpoint and deep point of view. With the latter, we’ll spend extra time learning how to deepen character viewpoint to maximize reader engagement.

You must have taken Substantive Editing for Fiction 101 and Substantive Editing for Fiction 201 before taking this course. Substantive Editing for Fiction 301 and Fiction Boot Camp 401 may be taken either before or after this course. Substantive Editing for Fiction 301 addresses mainly substantive editing, whereas this class is about developmental editing. Advanced Fiction Editing mainly looks at narrative theory and reader engagement, while Fiction Boot Camp is a hands-on practicum in which you apply what you’ve learned to an actual amateur manuscript.