70 episodes
Your Next Draft Alice Sudlow
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- Arts
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5.0 • 50 Ratings
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Your Next Draft is the fiction writer's guide to developmental editing. What do you do after your first draft? How do you flesh out flat characters, fill in plot holes, and hook your readers from the first page to the last? What does editing a novel even mean? Developmental editor and book coach Alice Sudlow answers all these questions and more. Each week, she shares the editing strategies she's using with her one-on-one clients so you can put them to use in your own novel. Tune in for tips, tools, and step-by-step guides for the novel editing process.
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When Should You Practice, and When Should You Publish?
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:
2 benefits and 1 danger of spending focused time learning new writing skillsThe joy—and risk!—of publishing using the skills you already haveHow to leverage the benefits of both learning and publishing in your writingA self-assessment quiz to see what you should focus on nextAnd more!So 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!
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You Can't Skip Learning How to Write a Novel. Here's Why
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:
The 2 stages of skill development I see in writersWhy you just can’t skip the learning stage (no matter how much we all want to!)3 features of the learning stage (yes, features, not bugs!)And more!The 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!
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4 Tips for Your First Time Working With an Editor
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:
What NOT to do while you wait for your editor’s feedback10+ things you CAN (and maybe should!) do while you waitWhat to do AFTER you get your feedback to move forward with clarity and confidenceAnd more!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:
Check out my manuscript wishlist: alicesudlow.com/wishlistWant me to edit your book? Tell me about your book here: alicesudlow.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!
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4 Tips to Find the Right Editor for Your Novel
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:
What you should know BEFORE you start looking for an editor6 criteria to vet editors to see whether they’re the right fit for you5 questions to ask to make sure you and your editor are on the same pageAnd more!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 » -
Why Writers Resist Measuring Their Craft (And Why You Shouldn’t)
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:
What we get wrong about our own creativityThe truth about writing and art that exceptionally successful writers (probably) don’t want you to knowWhat I find most amazing about traditional publishing (seriously, I think this is bonkers)And more!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 » -
The Pros and Cons of Group Coaching for Writers
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:
How group coaching combines the best features of critique groups + one-on-one editingWhat you CAN’T learn one-on-one (but you can learn in a group!)One group coaching caveat to watch out forAnd more!Group 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:
Join the Scene Mastery Workshop waitlist: 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 »
Customer Reviews
Fantastic Podcast
I discovered this podcast searching on Google while stuck in my writing process. I write picture books, but the information here is so unbelievably helpful, succinct, and inspiring. Thank you for creating this!
Great insights for those still learning
I enjoy listening to Ms. Sudlow as she teaches writers from an editorial perspective. She builds a mental framework and a vocabulary to understand story theory. She explains how writers can use that knowledge when editing their own work, or when working with an editor. She clearly understands and enjoys the coaching and teaching aspects of her job, and high she uses to good effect in the podcasts. Finally, she obviously can’t be every writer’s editor. Instead, and likely by conscious choice, she models and illustrates the characteristics of an editor who can dramatically help a writer. Writers could do a lot worse than find an editor with a similar attitude and find of knowledge as Ms. Sudlow. Her podcasts are clear and packed with utility; they are energizing, and supportive in attitude. I’ll continue to listen and appreciate her insights and reminders, which can help me maintain a productive writing mindset.
Excellent Podcast for Novelists
If you have the first draft of your novel written this is the perfect podcast for you. Alice is super passionate about developmental editing (the next major step after you’ve written the first draft). She knows what she’s talking about and spells out an easy to follow process. If you are struggling with how to shape a 300 page first draft into acts, scenes and chapters this is the podcast for you.
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