Self-Editing Support & Resources
I am on a mission to help writers hone their self-editing skills because I believe it’s a waste of their creative efforts, time, and hard-earned money submitting a manuscript to an editor, agent, publisher, or reader before it’s as ready as it can be.
One-Page Insights: Tips and Concepts (PDFs)
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The Editing Process
What are the four stages of editing?
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6 Cs of Copy Editing
What is a professional copy editor trained to do?
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Art of Description
What makes descriptive prose powerful and memorable?
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Writing Dialogue
What makes dialogue scenes engaging and how is dialogue punctuated?
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Point of View (POV)
What are the various POVs, their advantages and drawbacks?
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Great Protagonists
What are the must-haves for creating memorable characters?
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Creating Tension
Why is tension critical and what tools can we use to build it?
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Perfecting Page One
What are the four objectives of a good opening page?
Manuscript Revision Support
This service is for anyone with a completed draft manuscript (fiction or nonfiction, short or long form) who is committed to making substantial progress with revision over a set period (to be agreed).
The support package includes the following:
Manuscript assessment, detailing both the strengths of and opportunities for your book or story
A call to discuss the report’s recommendations and strategies for self-editing
Periodic consultation calls to discuss key revisions
Regular “accountability check-ins” to monitor progress
A second reading to assess the effectiveness of the changes
A final call at the end of the set period to discuss next-step options
PRICE GUIDE: Dependent on the length of the manuscript and support needs. Contact me for a quote. Members of The Writers Workshop get a discount.
Payment plans are available.
“Lorna’s attention to detail was impressive. She gave my writing some tough love, and now I have my work cut out tightening my dialogue, strengthening my opening chapters, giving my protagonist greater heft and generally tinkering with the tone of the book. I’m very glad to have had her help; she gave me what my friends probably never dared to: a truly detailed, honest appraisal.”
Self-Editing Your Short Fiction with Mentoring
From September 2023
With bespoke support, you’ll self-edit a piece of your own work (a short story, a first chapter, or a scene of up to 6,000 words) and develop your understanding of developmental, stylistic, and copy editing for future projects.
The 8-week programme includes:
An assessment of the story through the three editing lenses
Three 1.5-hour online meetings to discuss each stage of editing
A consultation during the revision period
Feedback on the final draft
Cost: £150.00 (members of The Writers Workshop get a discount).
“Going through the three stages of editing, becoming progressively more focused on my writing, has given me a whole range of useful tools that I am already drawing on as I develop other stories. In the discussions with Lorna and the exercises we worked on, there was a constructive focus on the art of storytelling as well as the art of writing and, crucially, how the two interact.”
The Writers Workshop
I am an associate member of The Writers Workshop, based in Sheffield, UK, which offers a great programme of in-person and online workshops, masterclasses, and events to writers at any level of experience. Members of The Writers Workshop get 5% or 10% discount (depending on their membership type) on my editing and self-editing support services.
The classes and workshops I offer have a strong self-editing focus. Subjects I have focused on include redrafting strategies, dialogue, and description. Many of my workshops are online, so you can join from wherever you are.
To find out what I’m offering, and what other fantastic events are happening at the Writers Workshop, visit the events page of the Workshop’s website.
