Turning Revision Up to 11: Sara F. Shacter on Resilience, Joy, and the Long Road to Publication
Sara Shacter's debut middle grade novel took 15 years, multiple massive rewrites, a lost agent, and a late-in-the-game discovery that changed everything before it finally became the book it was always meant to be. In this Write It Scared podcast conversation, she shares how she learned to love revision, how consistent feedback on submission finally cracked open the story's missing hook, and why staying connected to joy—not outcomes—is what kept her going.
Writing Middle Grade Historical Fiction: Shafaq Khan on Craft, Revision, and Persistence
Author Shafaq Khan joins me to talk about the long road from idea to publication for her debut middle grade historical fiction novel, Zania: Lost and Found. We discussed the challenge of balancing historical context with a fast-paced adventure story for kids, and what it means to keep writing through years of uncertainty and revision.
This conversation was a beautiful (and needed) reminder that books are often built slowly, imperfectly, and through tremendous persistence.
Sometimes Walking Away From A Story Is What Fixes It With Author Andromeda Romano-Lax
What if setting your draft aside isn't failure—it's part of the process? Author Andromeda Romano-Lax spent two years away from her thriller before a breakthrough on a plane to Utah revealed exactly what the story needed. In this Write It Scared podcast recap, she explores why stepping away, thinking deeply, and letting a story compost can sometimes be the very thing that unlocks it.
How to Normalize Self-Doubt and Lean Into Writing Courage
Self-doubt isn't a sign that you're not cut out for writing—it's a sign that you're doing something that matters. The goal was never to eliminate fear. It's to keep writing anyway. Writing coach Stacy Frazer shares four practical ways to move forward when doubt shows up, and why the bravest thing a writer can do is take the next step without having it all figured out first.
How to Start Writing Again When You Feel Stuck or Frozen: 5 Steps That Work
Feeling frozen with your writing—but it's not writer's block and it's not burnout? You're still connected to the story, still thinking about it, still caring. And yet, when it comes time to sit down and write, something in you just doesn't move? I’ve worked with a lot of writers in exactly this spot, and here are five steps I’ve found that work to get unstuck and back to the page.
On Revision Magic and Not Quitting with Author Kate Broad
Struggling with novel revision and wondering if it gets easier? Author Kate Broad shares how she rewrote her entire novel in a new POV, overcame crushing self-doubt, and kept going when early readers didn't even finish. Learn why revision is where your book becomes itself and how to push through when quitting feels tempting. Essential listening for fiction writers working through difficult drafts.
Editing vs. Revising (And Why the Difference Matters More Than You Think)
Do you edit your first draft or do you revise it? Is there a difference? Absolutely. And understanding it will save you countless hours and precious energy!
I’m breaking it all down for you this week!
How to Wield Narrative Drive to Make a Propulsive Story as a Fiction Writer
One of the most common things new writers struggle to harness—which is also the main issue I see with my clients’ developmental edits—is narrative drive. Or rather, the lack of it. It’s what makes readers invest in a character’s plight and keeps them turning the pages to find out what happens next and it’s crucial to a propulsive story. It’s a tough thing to learn to wield, but knowledge and practice are the keys to the kingdom, and I’m breaking it all down for you today.
How to Get Unstuck And All About Revising Your Novel
No matter when or where it happens, the STUCK sucks for writers. Sometimes we feel like we’re doing it wrong, we’ll never come up with the right solution, that all this work is pointless, and on and on with narratives that are totally normal, but equally unhelpful.
Revision can be a beast—especially the first time. Even if it’s not your first time, it can still feel overwhelming, and it’s often hard to know where to begin. One of the first things I ask my writers (and myself) to consider is this: What kind of relationship do you want to have with your creative work?
Three Revision Mistakes New Writers Make and What to Do Instead
Revision isn’t just about tightening sentences or making the language flow better. That’s part of it, but it’s only a small piece of the bigger picture.
Holiday Cheer for Writers: Free Resources to Fuel Your Writing Journey
Free Resources from Write It Scared
I hope you find something that helps you move forward in your writing journey and feel free to forward it to a writer who it might help!
The Art of Self-Editing a Fiction Novel
Earlier this summer I sat down with Savannah Gilbo, a fellow book coach, editor and the host of the fabulous Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast (go listen, it’s a goldmine) and dove DEEP into how to revise your manuscript in a systematic and effective way that will keep you from pulling your hair out.
The Complete Guide to Editing Your Novel: The Types of Edits Every Writer Should Know
When I started writing, I knew nothing about the different editing types or what I may need in the future. I researched and researched and still felt confused.
Do I need structural edit, or substantive edit, or a manuscript assessment? Or wait, maybe I need a manuscript appraisal? Or is that all a developmental edit?
What's the difference between a copy edit and a line edit? Do they come together?
What do you mean I need a proofreader? Isn't that what beta's do?
The reason it's confusing is that some edits have more than one name, and you don't need all of them.
The Power of Rest: Why Writers Need a Break Before Revising Their Novels
Resting is a necessary part of revising novels. Here’s why and what you need to know to make the most of your revision process.