Words to Edit By
One of our fundamental principles of writing and editing:
The elements of a story ought to be designed and executed in a way that resonates with the intended audience.
A Realist Take
Editing story elements to resonate with readers is similar in concept to editing content for purpose or phrasing for audience. Storytelling has a goal, which is to connect with readers in a particular way. With this in mind, good storytellers craft the themes, characters, plot, and setting of their stories—whether fictional yarns or truthsome tales of yesteryear—to conjure particular emotional responses. A well-edited story weaves a spell of words that stirs readers’ hearts and sparks their imaginations.
For Instance
Below is a table of contents for our current and upcoming articles on editing for story elements. Each of the hyperlinked articles encompasses a big editorial action step or subtopic. Those articles link (or will link), in turn, to additional articles covering smaller steps, specific guidelines, and practical tips. If there’s no link yet, the article is forthcoming.
Themes
Genre
Characters
Plot
Setting
Godspeed and happy rewriting!
Article: Your adventures in editing begin here!
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