
Learn macro editing to fix plot, character, and setting inconsistencies in finished drafts and create a personalized checklist for assessing meaning, narrative, structure, and point of view.
Clarify meaning by pinning the central idea and aligning intention and theme. Weave setting, actions, symbols, and motifs into a cohesive contemporary enemies to lovers tale.
Explore how narrative arc, structure, and tension guide macro edits. Apply Freytag's pyramid, three-act structure, and the hero's journey to shape pacing, foreshadowing, and cohesive plot points.
Revise tension and foreshadowing, expand internal and external conflict, cultivate subplots, and balance pacing to keep readers engaged and honor Chekhov's gun.
Explore authentic, dynamic characters by revising for realism, aligning goals and motivations, and ensuring consistency across flat, round, static, and dynamic types through practical development and archetype guidance.
Balance setting description with sensory detail to immerse readers without overwhelming them. Use the five senses, time, weather, props, and Chekhov's gun to shape atmosphere, mood, and genre-appropriate pacing.
Explore point of view by selecting a narrator aligned with conflict, maintain consistency to avoid head hopping, and manage distance to reader while choosing from first, second, or third person.
Explore narration by examining tone, mood, atmosphere, style, and voice, and learn to revise these elements to align with the narrator and enhance the story.
Develop a compelling opening through developmental editing by strengthening character development, establishing pov consistency, and balancing action with scene structure and exposition to drive reader investment.
Explore developmental editing techniques for a sci-fi scene, focusing on pacing, point-of-view cohesion across two perspectives, character motivation, and concise world-building to heighten emotional impact.
Develop a powerful opening through developmental editing that uses two perspectives, a vivid Pearl Harbor setting, and show-don't-tell craft to deepen reader investment in Haruko and Mike.
Developmental editing emphasizes big-picture focus: streamline details to preserve tension, authenticity, and reader empathy, balancing narrative voice, interior monologue, and scene pacing.
Develops the craft of developmental editing by teaching how to replace facts with context, establish Lee as a cop, and heighten tension through character stakes in an opening crime scene.
Explore developmental editing of a multi-protagonist romance opening, analyzing point-of-view, character appeal, and foreshadowed conflict to craft a clear emotional arc.
Create a macro editing checklist tailored to your writing sensibilities, then perform actionable feedback through peer reviews on a short fiction piece to improve word choice, consistency, and characterization.
Unveil the art of macro-editing with our comprehensive course designed for aspiring authors eager to take their writing to the next level. Macro-editing is not just about revising; it’s about understanding the big picture of your manuscript and enhancing its overall quality through structured editing techniques.
Learning Objectives:
Assess Writing Holistically: Learn to evaluate both the narrative and mechanical aspects of writing, ensuring that every element from plot to punctuation enhances your story’s impact.
Develop Personalized Tools: Create a macro-editing checklist tailored to your specific writing needs and genre, helping you streamline the editing process and maintain focus on key elements of your manuscript.
Engage with Peer Feedback: Implement effective peer review strategies to provide and receive constructive feedback, fostering a supportive writing community and gaining insights into your writing's strengths and weaknesses.
Apply Macro-Editing Techniques: Integrate comprehensive edits into your work, refining everything from character development to narrative structure, ensuring your manuscript resonates with your intended audience.
Course Outline:
The Fundamentals of Macro-Editing: Introduction to macro-editing, understanding its necessity, and differentiating it from micro-editing.
Narrative Structure Techniques: Explore various narrative structures like the Three-Act Structure, Freytag’s Pyramid, and the Hero’s Journey to determine the best fit for your story.
Character Development: Learn methods to craft authentic, dynamic characters who drive the narrative and engage readers.
Setting and World-Building: Techniques to effectively describe settings that support and enhance your narrative without overwhelming readers.
Point of View and Narration Choices: Decide on the most effective narrator and point of view for your story, considering the impact on reader engagement and story clarity.
Tone, Style, and Voice: Develop a consistent style and voice appropriate for your narrative while maintaining the intended tone throughout your manuscript.
Who Should Enroll: This course is perfect for novice writers who have completed a draft of their manuscript and are ready to refine it, as well as more experienced authors looking to deepen their editing skills.
Outcome: By the end of this course, you will not only have a deeper understanding of how to macro-edit your book but also possess a ready-to-implement strategy tailored to your writing style and genre. This course aims to transform your draft into a polished manuscript ready to capture the hearts and minds of readers.
Enroll now and transform your manuscript with the precision and care it deserves. Elevate your writing journey with the skills to critically assess and enhance every element of your story, ensuring it’s compelling, coherent, and ready for publication.