Analysis Paralysis

Have you got to that stage where you’ve written your first novel over and over again? 

Sometimes, too much information can lead to too may rewrites: does this character conflict work? Should I add in more dialogue? I’m not sure if there’s enough description here, etc etc etc. The result? A novel that’s not quite finished with over-written  scenes that seem to drift further and further away from the original plot. 

What can you do?

The first thing would be step away from the manuscript. Down tools. Stop. Just stop. 

Get someone else - preferably someone who edits romance - to read it. 

Your best option? The Developmental Edit. 

The Developmental Edit will look at the following:

• Your character motivation
• Your character development 
• Your inner and external conflict
• Your pacing
• Your style, voice, tone and respective genre

From there, you’ll get a detailed report as well as a marked-up manuscript that will clearly identify:

• What’s working
• What’s not working
• Where the plot has derailed
• Where the character’s motivation has vanished or is unclear
• Anything else that’s getting in the way of your story

A Developmental Edit is probably the best that the aspiring romance writer can do because it will provide you with detailed feedback. No publishing house or agent will do that for you. ​

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