A Story That Works

2.8 Rebecca Monterusso: Using Self-Editing Techniques

This episode is all about self-editing: what is it, why do you need it, and what the heck does it encompass? What's the point of self-editing if you can just ask an editor for help? Rebecca talks about that on this episode (hint: it's critical to get another set of eyes on your writing, learning to self-edit can save you time later on because you're growing your skills, can save you money, and can help you be more intentional with your goals). Listen to Rebecca talk about all the things she'd change in this story from season 1. If you don't already know, Rebecca is a writer and certified Story Grid editor who’s attended two McKee seminars, hosted workshops at Barnes and Noble, and self-published a nonfiction book on writing. She produces a podcast called A Story That Works and currently creates content for ROI Online. Her writing has been featured on Havok, Jane Friedman, The Creative Penn, and DIY MFA. She’s a pretty good crocheter, avid reader, amateur graphic designer, and loves traveling the world. Short story is currently her favorite medium for writing fiction. You can find out more at www.creativitythroughconstraints.com [http://www.creativitythroughconstraints.com/]. Things I mention on this episode: Some of these links (marked with an *) are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you click on and make a purchase from them. Your price doesn't change either way. * The Story Grid [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1936891352/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1936891352&linkCode=as2&tag=rsmonterusso-20&linkId=809a3bbb63889812d46412074d92ebfd]* by Shawn Coyne * Story [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060391685/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0060391685&linkCode=as2&tag=rsmonterusso-20&linkId=dbe3a41b404530c39d26b6b9516d7635]* by Robert McKee * Jane Friedman [https://www.janefriedman.com/what-does-it-mean-to-write-a-scene-that-works/]: What Does it Mean to Write a Scene that Works? * The Creative Penn [https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2018/09/05/consider-before-writing-a-novel/]: 6 Things to Consider Before Writing a Novel * DIYMFA: 5 Reasons it’s Time to Call in an Editor [https://diymfa.com/writing/5onfri-five-reasons-time-call-editor] and 5 Essentials for Every Scene [https://diymfa.com/writing/5onfri-five-essentials-every-scene] * Story Grid: Writing Scenes that Work [https://storygrid.com/writing-scenes-work/]; Our Writer’s vs Editor’s Brains [https://storygrid.com/writers-vs-editors-brains/]; Analyzing a Masterwork: The Knife of Never Letting Go [https://storygrid.com/analyzing-masterwork-knife-never-letting-go/]; How Reading Better Can Help You Write Better [https://storygrid.com/how-reading-better-can-help-you-write-better/]; What Does it Mean to Write, Read, and Live with Intention? [https://storygrid.com/what-does-it-mean-to-write-read-and-live-with-intention/]; From Initial Idea to Publishable Draft [https://storygrid.com/from-initial-idea-to-publishable-draft/]; Practical Steps to Improve Your Craft [https://storygrid.com/practical-steps-to-improve-your-craft/] * My fiction is on https://gohavok.com/ [https://gohavok.com/] which requires a subscription to read * My book: The 30 Day Writing Challenge [https://www.amazon.com/30-Day-Writing-Challenge-no-nonsense-getting-ebook/dp/B07H4S88BQ/ref=sr_1_8?sprefix=the%2B30%2Bday%2Bwriting%2B%252Caps%252C170&sr=8-8&keywords=the%2B30%2Bday%2Bwriting%2Bchallenge&crid=3336228M95KS4&dchild=1&qid=1593402938]

2.7 Abigail Perry: Growing Through Writing

Editor Abigail Perry talks to Rebecca about one of the stories from season 1 (the story she wrote using the prompt "death in a small town"). Abby has great advice on how to expand and explore the story, but more importantly, she and Rebecca talk about how to build confidence as a writer and how to stop expecting your first drafts to be perfect so you can just keep writing. Abby offers advice on taking the pressure off yourself as well as how to explore the story you truly want to tell. Abigail K. Perry is a Certified Story Grid Editor with professional teaching, literary agency, and film production experience. In addition to writing masterwork guides that help people learn how to write, read, and edit like a writer, she works as a freelance developmental editor/book coach and diagnostic editor, and is a monthly columnist for DIY MFA. Abigail also teaches Genre-Focused writing workshops for the genres she specializes in, which include Women’s Fiction, YA Fantasy, Upmarket Fiction, Historical Fiction, and Scripts. As a podcaster, she’s a passionate advocate for the butterfly effect stories have on the individual and world, which she shares with listeners on her podcast, STORY EFFECT [https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/story-effect#:~:text=STORY%20EFFECT%20is%20a%20podcast%20that%20celebrates%20the%20butterfly%20effect,from%20tales%20across%20all%20mediums.]. Reach out to Abigail if you’re a writer looking for an editor who will help you grow as storyteller, and who has experience in differentiated instruction, traditional publishing, and film. Find out more at abigailkperry.com [http://abigailkperry.com/]. Things Abigail and I mention in the episode: Some of these links (marked with an *) are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you click on and make a purchase from them. Your price doesn't change either way. * DIY MFA [https://diymfa.com/] * Story Effect [https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/story-effect] (Abby's podcast) * Story Grid Scene Analysis template [https://diymfa.com/reading/story-grid-scene-analysis-template] (value shift, polarity shift) * SG 5 Commandments [https://storygrid.com/5-commandments/] * Yellow Wallpaper [https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1952/1952-h/1952-h.htm] * Writer's Digest Conference [https://writersdigestconference.com/] * Johnathon Mayberry [http://www.jonathanmaberry.com/] (a thriller writer) * Writing excuses [https://writingexcuses.com/2017/07/02/12-27-choosing-a-length/] * PS I Love You [https://www.amazon.com/PS-I-Love-You-Novel-ebook/dp/B000FC1AOI/ref=sr_1_2?sr=1-2&keywords=ps%2BI%2Blove%2Byou&s=books&dchild=1&qid=1592251077]* * James Scott Bell [https://www.jamesscottbell.com/]: Plot & Structure [https://www.amazon.com/Write-Great-Fiction-Structure-Techniques-ebook/dp/B001UISGV6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&sr=1-1&qid=1592251111&keywords=plot%2Band%2Bstructure%2Bby%2Bjames%2Bscott%2Bbell&sprefix=plot%2Band%2Bstru%252Cstripbooks%252C173&crid=1QOEZT8MB7XU4&s=books]*, Write Your Novel From the Middle [https://www.amazon.com/Write-Your-Novel-Middle-Approach/dp/0910355118/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1592251139&sr=1-1]*

2.6 Leslie Watts: Building A Career As A Writer

Editor Leslie Watts talks to Rebecca about what it takes to build an author career, starting with giving yourself permission to figure out your own process. She talks about creating a writing practice and the importance of reading what you write so you can get curious and play in those spaces that light you up. Leslie gives Rebecca about lengthening her story and talks about what works and what doesn't. Leslie Watts is a Story Grid Certified Editor, writer, and podcaster based in Austin, Texas. She’s been writing for as long as she can remember—from her sixth-grade magazine about cats to writing practice while drafting opinions for an appellate court judge. As an editor, Leslie helps fiction and nonfiction clients write epic stories that matter. She believes writers become better storytellers through study and practice and that editors owe a duty of care to help writers with specific and supportive guidance. You can find her online at Writership.com [http://writership.com/]. Things Leslie and I mention in the episode: Some of these links (marked with an *) are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you click on and make a purchase from them. Your price doesn't change either way. * The Story Grid Roundtable Podcast [https://sgeroundtable.simplecast.com/] * Natalie Goldberg [https://nataliegoldberg.com/] and her concept that we must study and accept our own minds * Big Magic [https://www.amazon.com/Big-Magic-Creative-Living-Beyond/dp/1408881683/ref=sr_1_2?sr=8-2&keywords=big%2Bmagic&dchild=1&qid=1592164324]* by Elizabeth Gilbert * Dorothea Brand's Becoming a Writer [https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Writer-Dorothea-Brande/dp/0874771641/ref=sr_1_1?sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=dorothy%2Bbrande&s=digital-text&dchild=1&qid=1592164407]* * If You Want To Write [https://www.amazon.com/If-You-Want-Write-Independence-ebook/dp/B004G5Z4RO/ref=sr_1_1?sr=1-1&keywords=if%2Byou%2Bwant%2Bto%2Bwrite&s=digital-text&dchild=1&qid=1592164458]* * Morning pages from Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way [https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary-ebook/dp/B006H19H3M/ref=sr_1_1?sr=1-1&keywords=julia%2Bcameron&s=digital-text&dchild=1&qid=1592164498]* * Neil Gaiman [https://www.neilgaiman.com/] * Joyce Carol Oats: [on how to know when a story is done/how long it should be] when you can see the ending and you know where it’s going * Myer’s Briggs [https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/] * Don't Feed The Monkey Mind [https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Feed-Monkey-Mind-Anxiety-ebook/dp/B01LWA99FL/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&sr=1-2&qid=1592164624&keywords=don%2527t%2Bfeed%2Bthe%2Bmonkey%2Bmind&sprefix=don%2527t%2Bfeed%2Bthe%2B%252Cdigital-text%252C179&crid=283C8GXXELL5&s=digital-text]* * Cassandra [https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Mortals/Cassandra/cassandra.html] * The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time [https://www.amazon.com/Curious-Incident-Dog-Night-Time-Contemporaries-ebook/dp/B000FC1MCS/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&sr=1-1&qid=1592164696&keywords=curious%2Bcase%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bdog%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bnight&sprefix=curious%2Bcase%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bdog%252Cdigital-text%252C184&crid=1XNQQWCXSLPCM&s=digital-text]* * Ocean at the End of the Lane [https://www.amazon.com/Ocean-End-Lane-Novel-ebook/dp/B009NFHF0Q/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&sr=1-1&qid=1592164740&keywords=ocean%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bend%2Bof%2Bthe%2Blane&sprefix=ocean%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bend%252Cdigital-text%252C172&crid=1NCBFZP6ID0GD&s=digital-text]* * Jenny Shih [https://jennyshih.com/]

2.5 Griffin Gartner: Crafting Scarier Stories

Editor Griffin Gartner talks to Rebecca about a piece of micro-fiction she wrote for an NYC Midnight competition. He walks her through what's working, how to make it scarier, and how she could expand it just based on the idea itself. Griffin is a master at horror and gives tons of advice on what it means to write horror and as well as how to consistently write stories that speak to you as a writer. Griffin helps horror writers craft scarier stories. Find out more at gartnerediting.com [http://gartnerediting.com/]. Things Griffin and I mention in the episode: Some of these links (marked with an *) are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you click on and make a purchase from them. Your price doesn't change either way. * NYC Midnight [http://www.nycmidnight.com/] * The subcategories of horror [https://mckeestory.com/get-out-2017/] (though there are more than a few opinions about this [https://popcornhorror.com/genres/]) * Robert McKee [https://mckeestory.com/] * 6 key components of tension experiences [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4324075/]: conflict/dissonance/instability, uncertainty, generating expectations/predictions or anticipation, emotional significance of the anticipated events (what are the stakes), lack of control, temporal aspects * The Exorcist [https://www.amazon.com/Exorcist-William-Peter-Blatty-2011-10-13/dp/B01N40JAAZ/ref=sr_1_2?sr=1-2&keywords=the%2Bexorcist&s=books&dchild=1&qid=1590948008]* * The Artist’s Way [https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary-ebook/dp/B006H19H3M/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&sr=1-1&qid=1590948039&keywords=the%2Bartists%2Bway&sprefix=the%2Bartist%252Cstripbooks%252C181&crid=3RCRK7S0F5GL8&s=books]* * Types of monsters: crocodile, leach, storm, stranger, germ

2.4 Kim Kessler: Editing and Expanding a Screenplay

Editor Kim Kessler talks with Rebecca about how to expand a short screenplay she wrote for an NYCM competition. Together they discuss what's working about this piece in particular, but also how to use what you know about yourself to write better stories in the future. Kimberly Kessler is a Story Grid Certified Editor, TEDx speaker, and one-fourth of the Story Grid Editor Roundtable Podcast. As an editor, she specializes in helping writers craft authentic character arcs and internally-driven stories. As a novelist and filmmaker, she uses humor to explore trauma and find a redemptive perspective on pain. She lives in Washington state with her stand-up comedian husband and three "think they're a comedian" kids. You can connect with her directly at www.kimberkessler.com [http://www.kimberkessler.com/] Things Kim and I mentioned in the episode: Some of these links (marked with an *) are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you click on and make a purchase from them. Your price doesn't change either way. * NYCM Competitions [http://www.nycmidnight.com/] * James Scott Bell's Short Story Book [https://www.amazon.com/Write-Stories-Further-Writing-Career-ebook/dp/B01N3LHS26/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1&keywords=james%2Bscott%2Bbell%2Bshort%2Bstory&dchild=1&qid=1590781672]* * The Story Grid Anthology [https://www.amazon.com/Four-Core-Fiction-Story-Anthology-ebook/dp/B0887FQHMV/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1&keywords=four%2Bcore%2Bfiction&dchild=1&qid=1590781697]* * The Story Grid Editors Roundtable Podcast [https://sgeroundtable.simplecast.com/] * How to decide how long your story should be [https://writingexcuses.com/2017/07/02/12-27-choosing-a-length/] from Mary Robinette Kowal's advice * MICE quotient from Orsen Scott Card [https://writingexcuses.com/tag/mice-quotient/] * Kim’s Novel [https://www.amazon.com/According-Plan-novel-Kimberly-Kessler-ebook/dp/B07YSXMVM4/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1&keywords=kim%2Bkessler&dchild=1&qid=1590781882]*