Romance is one of the most popular fiction genres, and it has many subgenres such as contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, romantic suspense and YA (Young Adult) romance.

There are two important rules that romance novels should have: the romantic relationship between the main characters should be at the center of the story, and romance stories have a happy ending where the main characters end up together at the end of the story.
Let your novel rest
Read through your manuscript
Don’t implement all the changes at the same time
Questions to ask yourself
Repeat: read the manuscript for sentence-level errors
Next steps 

Let your novel rest
Congratulations on finishing the first draft of your novel. That’s already a great achievement. The first step of self-editing your novel is to leave it rest for a few weeks. I ideally recommend letting your novel rest for at least one month.

This will allow you to put distance between you and your story and “forget” your novel. You will be able to see your manuscript as a reader rather than a writer and be able to approach it with critical and objective eyes during the editing stage. 

You probably want to start editing your novel as soon as you finish writing the first draft but....wait. If you don’t have a hard deadline imposed by an agent or publisher, wait at least one month before starting to edit your manuscript.

What to do in the meantime? While waiting for the time to pass, you can take up a new hobby or fill your time  with other things you love, such as:

• reading  romance books 
• reading craft books
• watch your favourite TV show
•  go for a walk
• spend some time with friends and family
• start writing another book

Read through your manuscript 
 A month has passed, and you are now ready to start editing your romance novel. Follow the steps below while reading your story:

• Print your manuscript. Printing your story at the editing stage will allow you to look at your story from a different perspective, slow down your reading pace and improve your ability to look for structural issues.
• Read your manuscript within 2-3 days. At the first read through, you are looking to improve the big-picture elements of your story, such as theme, character development, plot and structure, setting, point of view, pacing, genre conventions and dialogue. Use various pens and highlighters to create a colour-coding system  (where each big-picture element represents a different colour) to write down effective notes within the manuscript document.
• While reading, you can also make an outline of your story (if you don’t have one) in an Excel spreadsheet and include important information about each scene: word count, pov character, characters present, setting, main story events, notes/reactions/things to improve.
• Note down everything you want to remember about your characters, plot and setting. Create character profiles, setting sheets, and note down the major plot points of your story if that helps you stay organised and take effective notes.

Don’t implement all the changes at the same time
You have noted down the changes you wish to make about the big-picture elements of your story. Now, it’s time to make a plan on how to implement these changes. Don’t try to fix all the big-picture elements of your story at the same time. You will be doing multiple rounds of editing, and you will look at different big-picture elements of your story each time.

Make a plan on which big-picture elements you will address in each round of editing. Start by looking at the big-picture elements of your story that can be grouped and addressed in the same round of editing.

For example, many new writers drag or rush some events of their story and the pacing is affected. Fixing the structure and putting the events where they should be also fixes the pacing of the story. If you want to learn more about the structure of a romance novel, read how to write a romance novel using the 3-act structure. 

Questions to ask yourself
Below you can see some questions about the big-picture elements of your story that will help you brainstorm and revise your manuscript. Look at the questions and note down the answers in your writing software or a notebook to make sure that you have a compelling romance story with a solid plot and well-rounded characters.  

Theme 

• What is the message that you want your romance story to convey to the readers?
• Is the theme linked to the main character and the plot of the story?
• Do the main characters emotionally change at the end of the story as a result of their love? 

Characters

• Does your main character(s) have clear goals and believable motivations throughout the story? What is the internal and external conflict of the main character(s)? What are the consequences if the character(s) don’t reach their goals?
• Do the minor characters and villains serve a purpose? 
• Who are the pov characters of the story? Are all the pov characters necessary for the story?
• Is the switch between the multiple points of view clear with no confusing head-hopping?

     Plot and structure

•  Can you identify the plot points of the 3-act structure in your story?
• What is the central conflict of the story?
• Does the plot move forward in each chapter (cause and effect)?
• Do the subplots serve the main story (romance story between the main characters)? 
• Does the story resolve in a way that communicates the theme and provides a satisfying resolution to the readers?

Setting

• Where does your story take place (country, city, apartment, workplace)?
• When does your story take place (time period, season)?
• Is the setting of the story believable or plausible? 
• Is the world of the story immersive and consistent?
• Do you integrate the details of setting into the story action? Do you provide the reason a particular setting element matters to the main character and the story?

Romance conventions

• Is the development of the romance relationship between the main characters at the center stage of the story?
•   Does the story have a happy ending where the main characters get together at the end of the story?
•  Are the tropes combined in unexpected and fresh ways to make the story interesting and engaging? 
• Do the tropes contribute to increasing the emotional or physical intimacy between the main characters? Do they challenge the main characters to grow emotionally? Do they drive the story forward and increase the conflict of the story? 
• Is the physical attraction between the two main characters apparent? Do the sex scenes serve to further the development of the love relationship, increase the tension and drive the plot forward?​​​

Repeat: read the manuscript for sentence-level errors
Once you finish implementing the big-picture elements of your story, it is time to repeat the process for the sentence-level errors.  Follow the steps below while reading your story:

• Let your story rest for at least 2 weeks.
• Print the new draft of your manuscript, read it from beginning to end in a few days, and take notes in each scene about the sentence-level changes you wish to make. Use multiple pens and highlighters to create a colour-coding system.
• Group similar sentence-level errors in one round of editing and make a plan on how to fix them (how many rounds of editing you will need, how much time it will take you).

Possible sentence-level errors include:

• info-duping
• show vs tell
• word choice (consistent style, redundancies, confusing or unnecessary words)
• sentence structure and flow
• spelling
• grammar
•  syntax 
•  punctuation

Next steps 
After you have been through multiple rounds of editing and improved the big-picture storytelling elements and sentence-level errors of your manuscript, it’s time to get feedback from other people.

​Give your manuscript to beta readers and developmental editors to get honest and constructive feedback about your story. If you want to learn more about hiring beta readers and developmental editors, read how to find the right editor for your story.

Who is a beta reader?
A beta reader is an avid reader who is familiar with the rules and tropes of a particular genre. They provide honest and constructive feedback in a reader’s report about the big-picture elements of a story, such as plot and structure, character development, pacing, point of view and genre conventions. 

Beta readers are the first people to read a completed manuscript. Writers should seek beta readers after finishing self-editing their manuscript, but before giving it to professional developmental editors. If you want to learn more, read about beta reading.

Who is a developmental editor?
A developmental editor is the first editor writers should look for after implementing the feedback they get from beta readers. 

The developmental editor addresses the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses and provides honest and constructive feedback about the story structure, character development, point of view, pacing, setting, genre conventions, scene vs narrative summary (show vs tell)  and dialogue of the story.

The developmental editor provides margin comments in the manuscript document and an editorial report to further guide the author. If you want to learn more, read about developmental editing.

Additional resources
How to write a romance novel in 5 steps
How to write in the romance genre and the main characters 
How to write a romance novel using the 3-act structure
What is the beta reading service?
What is the developmental editing service?
How to find the right editor for your story

Writing a romance novel is hard. It takes a lot of time, energy, determination, discipline and patience. Sometimes writers (especially new writers) get overwhelmed by the number of tasks that they need to do, or get lost in their story without knowing how to approach their story idea or what steps to take to finish their story.

This blog article is intended to help all romance writers develop a straightforward process to successfully outline and write their romance novel in 5 simple steps.

Step 1: Subgenre and tropes
Step 2: Main character(s) and create character profiles
Step 3: Story structure and chapter outlines
Step 4: Setting and main locations
Step 5:  Start writing

Step 1: Subgenre and tropes
Before you decide your romance subgenre and tropes, it’s important to define what a romance story is.

Romance is a very broad category and one of the most popular genres in fiction.  A story is considered to belong to the romance genre when the romantic relationship between the main characters takes the centre of the story, and the story has a happy ending. If the story doesn’t have these 2 requirements, then it is not a romance story.

The romance genre can be divided into many subgenres. Some of the most popular genres are contemporary romance, YA romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, romantasy, romantic suspense, LGBTQ+ romance, romantic comedy, and regency romance.

If you are not sure which subgenre your story is or how to write a book in a specific subgenre, read books in that subgenre. The best way to learn more about how to write romance books is to read romance books.

When you decide your romance sungenre, it’s time to choose the tropes of your romance story. A trope is a plot device that is used to create stories familiar to readers. Combine 2-3 main tropes in fresh ways to create an engaging story with compelling characters.

 Some of the most popular tropes for romance stories are:

• sports romance
• workplace romance
•  billionaires
• enemies to lovers
• friends to lovers
•  marriage of convenience
• pretend relationship/marriage
• forced proximity
• second chance romance
• fated mates
• shapeshifter romance
• grumpy vs sunshine
• forbidden romance
• love triangle
• small town romance

Now, it’s time to decide the theme of your story. The theme is the message of your story. It is the lesson that the main character(s) learns at the end of the story that changes their perspective about themselves or the world around them. The theme must be universal, so that people regardless of age, gender, location and culture can relate to it. 

​The main theme of romance stories is “love conquers all”, where the main characters must overcome their internal flaws and external obstacles to be happily together by the end of the story. 

​What does “love conquer” in your story? Romance stories usually have specific themes related to the specific flaw the main character needs to overcome and learn by the end of the story. For example, does the main character need to forgive themselves for a traumatic past event, trust that others won’t betray them or fight against an injustice? The possibilities are endless, and it’s up to you to decide the specific theme of your story.

Step 2: Main character(s) and create character profiles
How many main characters does your story have? How many pov characters does your story have? The pov characters in romance stories are usually one or both of the main characters (love interests) of the story. Make sure to decide your main characters and pov characters before starting to write your story.

Once you decide on your main characters, write down some important information about your characters.  Create character profiles and include all the necessary information about all the characters of the story.

Include your characters’ 3 most important elements:

• goal, motivation and flaw. The main character(s) needs to have an important and tangible goal that they want to achieve by the end of the story. Think about why this goal is important for them, what will happen if they don’t achieve their goal(motivation) and what are the internal flaws and external obstacles that prevent them from achieving their goal.

In your character profiles, you can also include their:

• name and age
• occupation
• nationality
• location
• personality
• physical appearance
• important past events
• relationship with other characters

 Character profiles are a great way to help you write consistent, meaningful and fleshed-out characters. If you want to learn more about them, read why authors need character profiles.  

Step 3: Story structure and chapter outlines
Once you find who your main characters are, create a separate document and start brainstorming the structure of your romance story.

I highly recommend using Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes while you are outlining your romance story.  Romancing the Beat is a popular story-structure guide that shows writers how to structure their romance story in 15 beats using the three-act structure.

If you want to learn more about how to outline your romance story using Romancing the Beat, read the blog article on how to write a romance novel using the three-act structure.

After you write down the story structure of your story, you can further outline your story by creating chapter outlines. Your chapter outlines can be as short or long as you want. For example, your chapter outlines can include only the main events of each chapter in bullet points, or each chapter can include long paragraphs with detailed descriptions and story events. Do what is more comfortable and helpful to you.

Step 4: Setting and main locations
Decide on the general setting of your story and write as many details as possible. Does your story take place in a big city, a small town or another planet? Is it a real or a fictional place? The choice of your setting depends on the subgenre of your story. 

After you decide the general setting of your story, you also need to decide specific locations. For example, some story events may happen in the main characters’ houses and their workplaces, or in cafes, restaurants and shops, depending on what kind of romance story you are writing. Make sure to note down any important elements of your setting and locations so that you can consistently describe them throughout your story.

Step 5:  Start writing
Once you have decided your genre and tropes, main characters, story structure and setting of your writing project, it’s time to start writing your story. 

Find the best time of day for you to sit down and write your story. Note down on a calendar your work hours, obligations and appointments and look at the available time you have left each day. Note the available time in your calendar as your writing time.  

Try to write for at least 1 hour a day, but don’t discourage yourself if unexpected obligations keep you away from your allotted writing time. 

You can also create a timeline by writing down all the writing, editing and publishing tasks of your writing project and estimating how much time each task will take.

​Schedule monthly and weekly tasks and regularly check your writing progress to stay on track. If you want to learn more information, read how to create a consistent writing routine and finish writing your story. 

Conclusion
Finishing writing and publishing a book can take months or even years. Don’t discourage yourself and don’t give up. Writing is a skill that takes practice and time to improve. Experiment and find your writing style. Be flexible and build habits that work for you. Write every day. Keep the momentum going and make your writing goals come true! Happy writing!

​Conclusion
Why authors need character profiles
How to write a romance novel using the 3-act structure
How to create a consistent writing routine
Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes

Writing a novel is hard. It takes a lot of time and energy. Often, writers don’t know where to start or how to write their story.

This blog article explains how writers can choose their writing project, schedule their time, set realistic writing goals and create a productive space that will inspire them to write their best story yet.

Choose your writing project
Schedule your time
Set realistic and flexible goals
Create a productive space

Choose your writing project
You have a lot of different story ideas that you want to write and publish, but you don’t know which one to start next. You might want to write all of them at the same time, but there are only 24 hours in a day, and there is a limit to what one can do.

You have to prioritise your story ideas and decide which one to start first. One way to decide which story idea to develop first is to look at your notes (main characters, plot points, setting) and see which story idea makes you feel more excited and inspired.

I recommend writing one story at a time, especially if you are a new writer. Dealing with multiple projects might get you excited in the beginning, but you might get frustrated and overwhelmed about the number of tasks you need to complete. 

If you are a seasoned writer, you might be more comfortable working with multiple writing projects at the same time, especially if you have a clear picture in mind about the tasks you need to complete.

Schedule your time
Find the best time of day for you to sit down and write your story. Note down on a calendar or a todoist application your work hours, obligations and appointments and look at the available time you have left each day.Note the available time in your calendar as your writing time. 

Write every single day. Write while you are waiting to pick up your kid from an activity or while you are waiting for an appointment using your phone or a notebook. Even 10-15 minutes can make a difference. The time and the words will eventually add up.

Set realistic and flexible goals
Are you a pantser? Do you prefer to sit down and write the story as it comes to you with minimal or no notes at all? To let your imagination and creativity lead you as you write the story? 
OR
Are you a plotter? Do you prefer to know everything about your story beforehand? To create detailed story and character arcs, character sketches and beat sheets with subplots and write down chapter-by-chapter summaries? Or maybe you are somewhere in between? 

Brainstorm and write down the tasks you need to complete to finish your story. Write all the outlining, writing, editing and publishing tasks that come into your mind in a notebook or a todoist application.

Write down all the tasks you know you will do for now. You can always come back later to add, change or delete tasks.  You can put your tasks into categories (outlining, writing, editing, publishing) and be as specific or detailed as you want.
Possible tasks may include:

• Do research about the setting of the story
• Write down the character profiles of the main characters
• Write 1,000 words every day
• Edit a scene per day
• Send query letters to publishers

Once you write down all the tasks you need to do to finish your story, you can estimate how much time each task will take and come up with a rough deadline. Since finishing your story will take a lot of time (possibly months or years), be flexible in your estimates and keep in mind that your deadline might change.

Also, I recommend breaking down your story into milestones and rewarding yourself for each milestone to keep yourself inspired and motivated. Possible milestones include:

• Finish outlining your story (research, character profiles, chapter summaries)
• Write the first draft of the story 
• Edit the first draft of the story
• Publishing your story

Possible rewards include going on a day trip with friends and family, visiting your favourite bookstore or going to a restaurant with friends to celebrate your success.

Create a productive space
Find a quiet and clean writing space. It can be your office desk, the kitchen table, the garden table or anywhere else you want. This will be your designated writing space. Set it up beforehand so that it is ready for you to write every day. Gather all the things you need in your writing space before you sit down to write, such as water, snacks or notes. 

Make sure that no one interrupts you while you are writing your story. Tell your friends and family that that the particular chunk of time is dedicated to your writing and not to disturb you at that time (unless absolutely necessary).

Shut down all other electronic devices that might distract you from writing, and tidy up your desk.  Move your mobile phone to another room and have only the computer that you are working on your story with you.

You can also light a candle and wear noise-cancelling headphones to avoid outside noise and distractions. Turn on your favorite music or a playlist that suits the vibe and genre of your story to inspire your writing sessions and keep you focused.

Conclusion
Writing is a skill that takes practice and time to improve. Try different outlining, writing and editing approaches and see what makes you more excited, productive, and creative to finish your story. Be flexible and build habits that work for you. 

​Write every single day. Inspiration may get you to start your novel, but discipline will help you finish it. Keep the momentum going and make your writing goals come true! Happy writing!

Further reading
What type of writer are you: pantser vs plotter vs plantser
How to create a consistent writing routine
3 types of writer goals to set in 2025

What is beta reading?
A beta read is a reader’s reaction to the story. Writers who seek to understand how the readers will experience their manuscript often seek out beta readers.

Beta readers are the first people to read a completed manuscript and provide constructive feedback. Writers should seek beta readers after self-editing their manuscript but before giving it to professional editors.

Beta readers are avid readers and are familiar with the rules and tropes of a particular genre. They can provide honest and constructive feedback from the perspective of the intended reader.

Beta readers do not edit manuscripts. They don’t explain why anything is going wrong or give potential solutions. They tell writers how a future reader might understand their story.
The beta reading process
Beta reader questionnaire
3 reasons to choose beta reading
Where to find beta readers

The beta reading process
I provide beta reading services in the romance genre and point out potential big-picture storytelling issues:

• Characters (goal, motivation, conflict)
• Plot
• Point of view       
• Pacing
• Genre conventions
• Overall impression of the story

If you are interested in my beta reading services, fill in the information in the contact form about the genre, word count, preferred completion date and any specific concerns you need help with your manuscript.

I will read your story and provide constructive feedback in a reader’s report explaining the big-picture storytelling issues of your story. The reader’s report will answer the questions mentioned below in the beta reader questionnaire but you can ask any other related questions you may have.

Beta reader questionnaire
Plot

•  How strong is the story premise?  
• Did the plot make sense to me? Are there any plot holes or confusing sections that should be made clearer? Do any sections take me out of the story?
• What is the story’s central conflict? Is the conflict between the main characters believable?
• Is the central conflict successfully resolved in a way that satisfies the reader? 

Characters

• Are the main characters proactive, likeable, relatable, compelling and engaging?
• Are the characters’ goals, motivations and conflicts clear and understandable? What are the consequences for the main characters if they don’t achieve their goal?
• Are characters’ actions consistent?
• Was I able to keep track of the characters, i.e. who was who? Were there too many?

Point of view

• Is the point of view handled appropriately and consistently throughout the story?  
•  How often does the viewpoint change? Is it fairly consistent throughout the story?
• Is the switch between the multiple points of view clear e.g no confusing head-hopping?
• Does the pov character describe the necessary story events for the scene e.g no information dumps?

Pacing

• Does the overall pacing work?  Do scenes progress in a realistic, compelling manner and flow with effective transitions?
• Does the story move along at an appropriate pace, without rushing or dragging?
• Is the story free from information dumps or backstory that slow the pace of the story?

Genre conventions

• Does the story conform to the requirements/expectations of the romance genre? Does this book break any specific rules of the genre?
• Is the genre clear from the beginning? Do readers know what kind of story they’re getting into?    

Overall impression

• What did I like and didn’t like about the story? 
• Did I find anything confusing or boring or annoying?
• Did the story grab me at the beginning? Were there any points where I started to lose interest?
• Was there anything that I had trouble believing or that seemed illogical?
• Does the manuscript need further editing services?

3 reasons to choose beta reading
You are on a limited budget
If you are an author with a limited budget, then the beta reading service might be suitable for you. If you are not sure how much the beta reading service costs, you can look at the EFA’s editorial rates to get an idea of the rates that beta readers charge.

Every beta reader’s circumstances are different and the cost of the service depends on a lot of factors such as the manuscript’s turnaround time and the editor’s training and experience.

​For example, as a new beta reader, I offer significantly lower rates than those of the EFA to get honest testimonials from writers and grow my portfolio.

You are a new writer and you need to learn more about the writing craft
If you are a new writer without a lot of writing craft knowledge, then the beta reading service might be the right service for you. The reader’s report will provide you with an overview of the big-picture storytelling issues of your story without overwhelming you with detailed page edits.

Writing, editing and publishing a book is a learning process and the constructive feedback the beta reader provides will help you improve your manuscript and your writing craft.

You have no idea how to further improve your manuscript
You are struck. You have rewritten and edited your story multiple times, and you don’t know how to further improve it. If you feel that something is missing from your story but you can’t pinpoint what exactly that is, then the beta reading service might be suitable for you. The beta reader will help you identify and improve the big-picture issues of your manuscript.

Where to find beta readers
Free beta readers
If you have a limited budget, you can find free beta readers. You can ask friends and family to read your story and provide feedback for free. However, be aware that friends and family might be biased and not provide objective feedback to not critically harsh your story.

You can also find writers’ groups on social media sites like Facebook and Substack. There are many writer groups where you can connect with other writers and beta read each other’s stories.

Paid beta readers
You can find professional beta readers in social media such as Facebook groups, LinkedIn and Substack. If you are looking to hire a professional beta reader, it is best to check their LinkedIn profiles to see their background, education, training and experience.

You can also check sites such as Upwork and Fiverr to find beta readers or post beta-reading jobs. Make sure to include the kind of service you need, the genre, the word count of your story, your estimated budget and your desired deadline when you post a job. You can also check the EFA’s Job List and Member Directory to find and hire a beta reader.

You can also search online at the websites of different beta readers to see what kind of services they offer. Every beta reader defines their service differently, so make sure to check what the beta reading service entails, the process, the cost, and the deadline to find the right beta reader for you.

I am ready to discuss my book. How do I do that?
Check out my beta reading service and contact me for a customised quote for your manuscript.

Further reading
What is the developmental editing service?
What is the manuscript critique service?
How to find the right editor for your fiction story
9 important questions editors ask authors before working with them
​

The manuscript critique (also known as manuscript evaluation or manuscript assessment) service is a less intensive version of the developmental editing service. (If you are not sure what the developmental editing service includes, read what the developmental editing service is.)

The manuscript critique addresses the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses and provides comprehensive feedback on the following issues:

• theme
• story structure
• characters (goals, motivations, conflict, character development)
• point of view
• pacing
• setting
• genre conventions
• scene vs narrative summary (show vs tell)
• dialogue

It does not address line editing or copyediting issues such as grammar, spelling or punctuation.

The editor reads the manuscript and provides constructive feedback in an editorial report. The main difference between the developmental editing service and the manuscript critique service is that the developmental editing service includes margin suggestions (comments) in the manuscript document and an editorial report, while the manuscript critique service includes only an editorial report.
​
Free sample edits
The editing process
5 reasons to choose the manuscript critique service
​
Free sample edits
Most editors (especially copy editors and proofreaders) offer sample edits. However, it is difficult for developmental editors to offer sample edits because the big-picture issues of a manuscript can cover several pages or chapters.

My solution is to ask authors to send me their completed manuscripts. I read chapters from the beginning, middle and end of the manuscript to get a general idea of the story and identify potential issues. I perform a free sample edit on the first 1,000 words of their manuscript (4-5 pages).

I explain to the authors that the purpose of the sample edit is to:

• assess the author’s writing style, and identify potential big-picture storytelling issues.
• set scope expectations and ensure that my style of feedback aligns with what the author is looking for. 

For the manuscript critique service, the author gets only an editorial report of the first 1,000 words of their manuscript. I might provide more feedback on the editorial report than a 1,000-word manuscript typically needs to give the author an idea of my editing style and make sure that it aligns with their expectations.

The editing process
First read-through
The editor reads the entire manuscript as quickly and as comfortably as possible to gain a general understanding of the story and to write down basic information about each chapter.

Edit the manuscript
The editor reads the entire manuscript the second time slowly and carefully and takes extensive notes in an editorial report to guide the author.

Review and send documents
The editor finishes writing the editorial report and sends it to the author.

Author review
The author reviews the editorial report and asks the editor any questions they may have through email or a video call.

5 reasons to choose the manuscript critique service
You are a new author who needs to learn more about the writing craft 
If you are a new author without a lot of writing craft knowledge, then the manuscript critique service might be the right service for you.

The editorial report of the manuscript critique service gives you an overview of the most important big-picture storytelling issues that cover multiple chapters in your manuscript without overwhelming you with detailed page edits. It states the big-picture storytelling issues and offers solutions to guide you in how to further improve your story.

You are an established author who is confident in their writing-craft knowledge 
If you are a published author with a fair amount of knowledge of the writing, editing and publishing process, then the manuscript critique service might be the right service for you.

Established authors usually don’t need detailed page edits and thorough guidance. An editorial report addressing and providing solutions to the big-picture storytelling issues of their story seems more suitable to their level of writing craft knowledge and editing experience.

You have not received any offers from publishers/agents
You have sent your manuscript to multiple publishers and agents and haven’t received any positive responses yet. You feel frustrated and overwhelmed thinking that you will never publish your manuscript.

Go back to the rejection letters sent by the publishers and the agents. Read them carefully and note down common issues that they mentioned in their rejection letters e.g lack of character development or slow pacing. They will probably be issues that cover several pages and chapters of your story rather than just one or two chapters.

Hire a developmental editor to edit your story and provide constructive feedback to help you improve these issues. As a result, you will have an improved manuscript with a higher chance of getting published.

You are too close to your own story and you need another pair of (professional) eyes 
You are struck. That’s it. You have rewritten and edited your story multiple times, and you don’t know how to further improve it. You probably feel that something is missing but you can’t pinpoint what exactly that is.

Hiring a developmental editor will help you identify the big-picture issues of your manuscript and provide honest feedback in an editorial report to help you improve your story.

You don’t have the budget for a full developmental editing service
​Developmental editing services are typically more expensive than copyediting and proofreading services because of the intensive feedback the editor provides. Many authors are reluctant to hire an editor for their story because of the cost of the service.

If you are an author with a limited budget, then the manuscript critique service (a less intensive and cheaper version of the developmental editing service) might be the right one for you.

If you are not sure how much the manuscript critique service costs, you can look the EFA’s editorial rates and estimate how much the service can cost. The rates published on the EFA website can give the author a rough idea of what the cost of different editing services are.

If you want to learn more information about hiring an editor, read how to find the right editor for your fiction book and 9 questions editors ask authors before working with them.

Every editor’s circumstances are different and the cost of the service depends on a lot of factors such as the manuscript’s turnaround time and the editor’s training and experience.

As a new developmental editor, I offer significantly lower rates than those of the EFA to get honest testimonials from authors and grow my portfolio.

Every editing project is unique. Contact editors and get a no-obligation quote based on the specific needs of your manuscript. 

I am ready to discuss my book and the editing service I need. How do I do that?
Check out my editing services and fill in this form to contact me. I will respond to you as soon as possible with a customised quote!

Further reading
What is developmental editing (vs other kinds of editing)?
How to find the right editor for your fiction story
9 important questions editors ask authors before working with them

Developmental editing is the first step in the editing process, and it solves the big-picture storytelling issues in your manuscript.

It is the first kind of editing authors should look for after they have completed their first draft of their story. If  you are not sure what kind of editing your manuscript needs, learn more information about the different kinds of editing.







What is developmental editing?
​Free sample edits
The developmental editing process
4 reasons to hire a developmental editor
Cost

What is developmental editing?
​The developmental editor addresses the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses and provides comprehensive feedback on the following issues:

• theme
• story structure
• characters (goals, motivations, conflict, character development)
• point of view
• pacing
• setting
• genre conventions
• scene vs narrative summary (show vs tell)
• dialogue

The editor states the issue, explains the reason and provides solutions (margin comments) on each page of the manuscript document. The editor also provides an editorial report to further guide the author. 

Free sample edits
Most editors (especially copy editors and proofreaders) offer sample edits. However, it is difficult for developmental editors to offer sample edits because the big-picture issues of a manuscript can cover several pages or chapters.

My solution is to ask authors to send me their completed manuscripts. I read chapters from the beginning, middle and end of the manuscript to get a general idea of the story and identify potential issues. I perform a free sample edit on the first 1,000 words of their manuscript (4-5 pages).

I explain to the authors that the purpose of the sample edit is to:

• assess the author’s writing style, and identify the manuscript’s structure and potential big-picture storytelling issues.
• set scope expectations and ensure that my style of feedback aligns with what the author is looking for. I might leave more comments in my sample edit than I would on the full manuscript to ensure clarity and context. Authors can typically expect 3-5 comments per page on their completed manuscript.

The developmental editing process
First read-through
The editor reads the entire manuscript as quickly and as comfortably as possible to gain a general understanding of the story and to write down basic information about each scene (e.g viewpoint characters, location, main story events) and their initial impressions of the story.

Edit the manuscript
The editor reads the entire manuscript the second time slowly and carefully and performs the actual edit of the story. The editor provides margin suggestions (comments) using the Track Changes in Microsoft Word and takes extensive notes regarding the big-picture issues of the story in an editorial report.

Review and send documents
The editor reviews all of the edits and suggestions in the manuscript and finishes writing the editorial report. Finally, the editor sends the Microsoft Word documents (the edited manuscript and the editorial report) to the author. 

Author review
The author reviews the documents and asks any questions they have to the editor usually through email or video call.

4 reasons to hire a developmental editor
You have no idea how to further improve your manuscript
Hire a developmental editor to help you unlock your story’s full potential, provide honest feedback and help you improve your manuscript.

Make sure you have a strong story premise
If you want to make sure that you have an interesting story with compelling characters, ask the developmental editor to provide constructive feedback and help you strengthen the premise of your story.

You are trying something new or you are a new author
Are you writing in a new genre, trying a dual point of view for the first time or is this the first time you completed a draft?  Editing is a learning process and the feedback the developmental editor provides helps you improve your writing craft.

You have not received any offers from publishers/agents
Note down common issues that the agents mentioned in their rejection letters such as lack of character development, slow pacing or inconsistent point of view. Discuss these issues with a developmental editor and ask them to focus their suggestions and feedback on them.

Cost
How much does developmental editing cost? This is perhaps the most frequently asked question authors ask editors.
​
Developmental editing services are typically more expensive than copyediting and proofreading services because of the intensive feedback the editor provides to the author’s manuscript.

Every editor’s circumstances are different and the cost of the service depends on a lot of factors such as the manuscript’s turnaround time and the editor’s training and experience.

You can look at the editorial rates of different editing services at the EFA’s editorial rates and estimate how much a service can cost. The rates published on the website can give the author a rough idea of what the cost of developmental editing for an editing project might be. Actual editorial rates may vary. 

As a new developmental editor, I offer significantly lower rates than those the EFA proposes. Remember that every editing project is unique. Contact editors and get a no-obligation quote based on the specific needs of your manuscript. 

I am ready to discuss my book and the editing service I need. How do I do that?
Check out my editing services and fill in this form to contact me. I will respond to you as soon as possible with a customised quote!

Further reading
What is developmental editing (vs other kinds of editing)?
How to find the right editor for your fiction story
9 important questions editors ask authors before working with them

What is developmental editing? 
Developmental editing is the first step in the editing process. Developmental editors help authors improve the big-picture storytelling issues of their stories.
​
Developmental editing addresses big-picture storytelling issues such as:

• theme
•  story structure
• characters (goals, motivations, conflict, character development)
• point of view 
• pacing
• setting
• genre conventions
• show vs tell
• dialogue

Developmental editors write margin suggestions (comments) in the manuscript itself to explain their edits and suggest solutions to the authors. They also make notes in a separate document (often called an editorial report or a revision letter) to guide the author.




4 reasons to hire a developmental editor:
You have no idea how to further improve your manuscript
Make sure you have a strong story premise
You are trying something new or you are a new author
You have not received any offers from publishers/agents

You have no idea how to further improve your manuscript
You have revised and edited your manuscript as much as you can on your own. You have improved your story to the best of your abilities but you have no idea how to further improve your story. You are stuck.

The solution is to hire a professional developmental editor to help you unlock your story’s full potential. The developmental editor will provide objective, constructive and honest feedback about the big-picture storytelling issues of your story and help you improve your manuscript.

Make sure you have a strong story premise
You have finished your manuscript and you have a completed draft after multiple revisions. Now, it’s time to hire a professional editor to look at it and make sure that you have a strong and compelling story premise.

If you worry about specific storytelling issues or have any questions about your story, you can ask your editor to focus on these particular big-picture storytelling issues while they are editing your story. 

Keep in mind that you should never be the only person who has read your story before publishing your story and that hiring a professional editor is the best solution for the big-pictures storytelling elements of your story.

If you are budget-conscious, exchange stories with critique partners and improve your manuscript based on their feedback before hiring a professional editor. If you can’t afford a full developmental edit, you can request beta reading or manuscript critique services.

You are trying something new or you are a new author
Are you trying something new in your story e.g dual point of view or is this the first time you completed a draft?

As a new author, editing is a learning process where you can also apply the feedback the editor provides to your next stories and improve your writing craft. Therefore, hiring a professional editor is an investment that is worth it for the improvement of your story and the advancement of your writing career. 

An investment doesn’t necessarily mean hiring an expensive editor. There are many editors to choose from nowadays. Do your research and find the right editor for your book.

You have not received any offers from publishers/agents
You have submitted your story to multiple publishers or agents and haven’t received any offers yet. Look at the feedback the publishers and the literary agents discussed in their rejection letters. Note down common issues such as lack of character development, slow pacing or inconsistent point of view. Then, discuss your manuscripts’ storytelling issues with a developmental editor.

The developmental editor will specifically address these issues and suggest solutions to improve them. As a result, your manuscript will be ready for publication and you will receive multiple offers by publishers and literary agents.

I am ready to discuss my book and the editing service I need. How do I do that? 
Check out my editing services and fill in this form to contact me. I will respond to you as soon as possible with a customised quote!
​
Further reading
What is developmental editing?
How to find the right editor for your fiction story?
9 important questions editors ask authors before working with them

You have finished writing and editing your story. You have already learned how to find the right editor for your fiction story.
​
This blog article will help you prepare the answers to the questions an editor might ask you to learn more details about your story and to determine if you are a great fit to work together.






​Editors ask the following questions:
How long is your book?
What is the genre of your book?
What kind of editing do you need?
Have you already received feedback for this story?
Have you published any books before?
Who is your audience?
When is your estimated deadline?
What documents do I need to send my editor?
How did you find me?

How long is your book?
The word count of your fiction story is one of the first questions the editor will ask you. Knowing the word count of your book will help them estimate how much to charge, how much time it will take them to edit it and if there is an available time slot in their schedule.

Some authors prefer to mention the pages or the chapters of their book. However, I find that the word count is the best way to tell how long a book is since not all pages or chapters have the same amount of words.

What is the genre of your book?
Some editors work in a variety of genres and others are specialised in a particular genre. For example, I am a romance editor and I specialise in editing light-hearted contemporary romance, YA romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance and romantasy stories. I don’t edit non-fiction stories or memoirs.

If you are romance author, then I might be the right editor for your story. If you are a non-fiction author, then I am not a suitable editor for your book. If you are not sure about which genres an editor works with, check their website and social media or send them an email. 

What kind of editing do you need?
What kind of editing do you need? Developmental editing, line editing, copy editing or proofreading?

Experienced authors know the differences between the different kinds of editing and they are able to tell what kind of editing their book needs.

However, new authors might not be able to distinguish the different kinds of editing or tell what kind of editing their book needs. 

If you are not sure about the kind of editing your book needs, find out more information about the different kinds of editing.

I am a developmental editor for romance authors. I edit the big-picture storytelling issues of romance stories. I focus on theme, plot and structure, character development, point of view, pacing, setting, genre conventions, show vs tell and dialogue.

I would be happy to discuss your romance story and focus my editing on any concerns you may have. If you are a romance author looking for a developmental editor, then I might be a great fit for your story.

Have you already received feedback for this story?
It is very important for your editor to know if your story has already been edited and what kind of editing services it has gone through. This will help them determine what kind of services your story needs.

If your manuscript has already been line-edited or copy-edited, then you probably need a proofreader. If it has not been professionally edited before, then you might need a developmental editor or a line editor.

It’s always best to tell your editor how many drafts your story has gone through, what kind of editing you or others have done to your story and if you took advice from other writers, family members or beta readers. This will help your editor better understand what kind of editing your story needs.

Have you published any books before?
It is also important for an editor to know if you have hired an editor before and received editorial feedback for a previous book. This shows the editor that you are familiar with the editorial process and what kind of feedback to expect.

Also, editors would love to see any previously published books or blog posts to see your writing style and how they can help you improve your manuscript.

Who is your audience?
Another important factor is your audience. Are you planning to give a few copies to family or friends or are you planning to publish your novel at the mass market? This information will help your editor provide you with the appropriate feedback and decide what kind of editing your story needs.

When is your estimated deadline?
Do you have a publishing deal where your book must get published by a specific date or do you have flexibility? Knowing the date of publication of your story will help your editor better schedule a slot in their schedule.

Make sure to book your editor in advance to ensure that the right editor for your book is available, especially if you have already decided and announced your publication date. If you have more flexibility in your publication schedule, you can better accommodate to your desired editor’s schedule. 

What documents do I need to send my editor?
The editor needs the following documents:

• the completed manuscript
• a complete list of characters along with any information you have about them (name, goals, motivations, conflict, relationship with other characters physical appearance, personality). If you are not sure what kind of information to include, check this article about character profiles.
• a complete list of major locations and events of your story
• a synopsis of your story.

A synopsis is a summary of the plot, it takes about 2-3 pages and it is written in the present tense. It includes the goals, motivations and the conflict (internal and external) of the main characters. The synopsis introduces the main characters of the story (heroes and villains) and conveys the central conflict. A synopsis is an overview of what happens in a novel and includes the major plot points of the story. 

Ideally, you already have this information available because you took notes about your plot, characters and setting while you were writing and editing your story. You just need to send it to your editor to help them better understand your story.

How did you find me?
This information is more helpful to me rather than to you. Did someone else refer them to me? Did you find me through social media, or a directory or did you find one of my blog posts helpful? This information will help me focus my marketing efforts on topics and places that interest you.

I am ready to discuss my book and the editing service I need. How do I do that?
Fill in this form and I will respond to you as soon as possible.

Further reading
How to find the right editor for your fiction book
How to prepare your manuscript for your editor
What is developmental editing vs other kinds of editing
Why authors need character profiles
How to write a romance novel using the 3-act structure

Finding the right editor for your fiction book seems easier than ever with the plethora of editors hitting the freelance industry nowadays. There are so many editors to choose from but how will you know who is the right editor for your story?

Many authors do not know the kind of services their story needs and others don’t do thorough research. As a result, authors often end up requesting quotes from editors who offer different services from the ones their story needs in a genre that the editor is not editing.

How can you find the right editor for your fiction book:
Services
Genre
Cost
Where to look for the right editor
Reach out to editors

Services
The first step in finding the right editor for your fiction book is to determine what kind of services you need. Are you looking for developmental editing, copyediting, or proofreading?

If this is the first time you are searching for a professional editor and you are not sure what kind of services you need, read this article about the different kinds of editing and consider the state of your story.

If you only have a raw idea or an outline, then you need a book coach to help you:

•  develop your idea into a compelling story
• finish the first draft of your story
• develop consistent writing habits
•  answer questions about your story

If you have a completed first draft, then you need a developmental editor to help you improve your story’s:

•  theme
•  story structure
• characters (goals, motivation, conflict, character development)
•  setting and worldbuilding

 If you are in the final draft of your story, then you might need a copy editor or a proofreader to help you  focus on:

• sentence structure and flow
• grammar and punctuation
• spelling
• word choice

Genre
The second step in finding the most suitable editor is to identify the genre(s) of your story. Are you writing a contemporary romance or a YA thriller?  If you don’t know what genre your story is, go online and search for the definitions of various genres. 

For example, a story belongs to the romance genre when:

• the romance between the main characters comprises the central focus of the story 
• it has an emotionally satisfying and rewarding happy ending 

​
​The romance genre is a very broad fiction category and can be divided into many subgenres such as contemporary romance, YA romance, romantic suspense and paranormal romance. 

Many editors specialise in particular genres while others edit only one genre e.g romance. Make sure to find an editor that specialises in the genre of your story and has the relevant training, education, skills and experience to edit your book.

Cost
The cost of the service is perhaps the most important factor for authors.  The cost of the service depends on a lot of reasons such as the required service, turnaround time, training, experience and cost of living. For example, developmental editing services are typically more expensive than copyediting and proofreading services.

You can look at the editorial rates of different editing services at the EFA’s editorial rates and estimate how much a service can cost. The rates published on the website are only designed to give you a rough idea of what the cost might be based on the genre and the word count of your story. Actual editorial rates may vary depending on the reasons mentioned above.

Where to look for the right editor
You have already determined the kind of services you need, the genre of your manuscript and your estimated budget. Now, it’s time to search for the right editor.

You can find editors on social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. There are many Facebook groups for editors and writers where editors advertise their services. You can also check the editor’s LinkedIn profiles to see their background, education, training and experience.

You can also check sites such as Upwork, Fiverr and Reedsy to find editors or post jobs. Make sure to include the kind of editing service you need, the genre, the word count of your story, your estimated budget and your desired deadline when you post a job. You can also check the EFA’s Job List and Member Directory to hire an editor.

You can also look at the websites of different editors to see what kind of services they offer. When you are looking for an editor on the search engines make sure to include keywords such as the kind of services you need and the genre of your story e.g developmental editing for a contemporary romance story or copyediting for a murder mystery story. 

Pay attention to the “Home” page of the editors’ sites where editors usually mention the services and the genres they are editing. You should also check their “Portfolio” page to see what kind of projects they have edited and their “About” page to learn more information about their qualifications. Finally, check their “Services” page to see what kind of services they offer. 

Every editor defines their services differently, so make sure to check what each service includes e.g scope of work, deadlines, cost, and deliverables.

Reach out to editors
When you narrow down your options and find editors that fit your criteria e.g  services, genre, estimated cost, and qualifications, email them to get a customised quote for your story and to discuss with them the specific needs of your manuscript.

Most editors usually have a form on their website that authors can fill out when they request a quote in order to learn more information about the author’s story and provide them with an accurate quote.

​For example, the form on the “Contact” page of my website helps me learn important information about the author and their story such as the project’s title, word count, genre, requested service and preferred completion date. 

Most editors offer a no-obligation customised quote and a 1,000-word free sample edit to see if they and the author are a great fit to work together. The editor will guide you about the next steps of the editing process but you can also ask any questions you may have. 

Clear communication is key for successful collaboration in order to set clear expectations about the scope of the work and to avoid misunderstandings.

Conclusion
Finding the right editor for your fiction story is easier than ever. Define the kind of services you are looking for, the genre of your story and your estimated budget.

Research the editor’s websites and social media and reach out to the editors that match your criteria. Editors are valuable collaborators that will help you shape your manuscript into a compelling story so make sure to choose yours wisely!

Further reading
“Contact” form ​
Developmental editing vs other kinds of editing
EFA Job List and Membership Directory
​EFA rates

The HB90 method is a quarterly planning and goal-setting system primarily for writers, although everyone who feels stressed, overwhelmed or lost can follow this method to set up quarterly goals, projects and tasks. 

The HB90 method is created by contemporary fantasy author Sara Cannon who shows how she uses this method to set up her quarterly goals and projects in her YouTube channel called Heart Breathings. 

The HB90 method can help you set and achieve goals, projects and tasks for 90 days. Once your projects and tasks are ready, you can assign the projects and tasks that you wish to complete each month.

​This method helps you keep track of the projects and tasks you complete each quarter and estimate how much time you need to allocate to complete each project. 
​

This blog article explains:
The HB90 method planner
The HB90 Bootcamp
My experience with the HB90 method
Conclusion

The HB90 method planner
Sara has an HB90 method planner in printable and digital versions. The planner includes over 50 goal-setting pages with instructions on how to:

• prioritise 3 goals for the quarter
• realistically estimate how much time you can devote to your goals 
• figure out how much available time you have each month and week
•  brainstorm the projects and the tasks that you need to assign to each goal
•  figure out how much time you need to complete each project

Once you figure out your goals, projects and tasks, you can move on to the first month of the planner where you can note important dates or notes and plan each week by assigning your projects and tasks.

The HB90 planner also includes weekly spreads and daily pages to help you keep track of your progress and note down appointments and notes.

The planner has weekly, monthly and quarterly reviews to help you reflect on the previous week/month/ quarter, keep track of your progress and help you plan for the next quarter.

HB90 Bootcamp
Sara offers the HB90 Bootcamp, a 7-day course that is designed to teach you to be more productive, feel less stressed and take control of your professional and personal life.

The HB90 Bootcamp is for everyone (not just writers) who wants to:

• be more productive, feel less stressed and be in control over their life and their schedule
• struggling to find the energy to complete their goals or follow their dreams
• feel like working too hard but never manage to finish their projects

The course opens for enrollment every March, June, September and December to prepare for the next quarter.  All the recording videos and exercises are available to watch at any time. Students have lifetime access to the course and they can join a private Facebook group for course alumni.

Disclaimer: I haven’t taken the course and therefore I can’t recommend it. However, people who have taken the course highly recommend it because it helped them plan and organise their goals and projects, take control of their lives and be more productive. Do your own research and see if the HB90 Bootcamp suits your needs.

My experience with the HB90 method 
“The good”
December 2022. I quit my first job as an English Language teacher and decided to become a freelance fiction editor. There were so many projects and tasks I needed to do to prepare for my fiction editing business and I knew I had to find a way to organise everything and stay on top of my schedule.

I ultimately found Heartbreathings on YouTube and watched (a lot of ) YouTube videos about the HB90 method. I wanted to get organised as soon as possible so I purchased the undated printable planner and started using the HB90 method in December.

My initial goal was to use this planner from December until March and then buy the dated planner for the next quarter. I started setting up my goals, projects and tasks and then filled my weekly tasks week after week.

The planner was great. It gave me the organisation, clarity, and control I needed. I could track my progress and see myself finishing tasks and making progress on my goals.

“The bad”
The system was great for me and it was working. The planner wasn’t though and I stopped using it at the end of February. Why? Because the printable aspect of the planner wasn’t for me. Although I liked the physical aspect of the planner, it was taking me too much time to move, add, and delete projects and tasks as needed.

That’s when I discovered that I needed a digital method or software to plan and organise my goals and projects. I went online and found Todoist, a do-list task manager where you can plan your projects and tasks. I bought a yearly subscription to the Pro plan in April 2023. I added all my goals and tasks in Todoist and I started using it. 

I used Todoist for a couple of months and I realised I was back where I was in December of 2022. I had a list of my projects and tasks without a clear plan on how to prioritise them, no clear deadlines and no efficient way to track the progress of my projects. Todoist was great but it wasn’t enough.

The aha moment
December 2023. That’s when it happened. The big realisation. I needed the HB90 method in combination with Todoist.

I bought the yearly HB90 method goal planner. The planner includes only the goal-setting pages, the monthly pages and the tasks pages with no weekly spreads or daily pages.

​I also bought the 2024 Digital Doodle planner by  AmandaRachLee and I use the weekly, the habit and the mood tracker pages. Also, I use Todoist as my Kanbard board and calendar. 

​The combination of the two digital planners and Todoist is great for me. It is exactly what I need. I use the HB90 method with the 2 planners and Todoist. I can efficiently plan my goals, track my projects and complete my tasks. I stay organised and in control of my life.

Conclusion
Learning from the planning and organising mistakes of 2024, I already have in mind some adjustments I want to make while using the HB90 method planner for the next year. 

I am thinking of using the digital (landscape) undated HB90 method quarterly planner and Todoist. This planner includes goal-setting pages, monthly spreads, weekly spreads and daily pages and it seems perfect for my planning needs. I will continue using Todoist as a Kanbard board and calendar. 

I plan to take some time off during the Christmas holidays to brainstorm 2024, think about potential goals for 2025 and plan for the first quarter of 2025. I am not planning on buying the HB90 Bootcamp course.

What about you? What kind of planning and organising system are you using? Have you tried the HB90 method or would you like to try it for 2025?
Leave a comment below and tell me what you think about the HB90 method!

If you would like to see more similar blog articles, make sure to leave a comment and share the blog article on your favourite social media!

Further reading
3 types of writer goals you can set in 2025
How to create a consistent writing routine and finish your book 
How Sara plans her week using the HB90 method (YouTube)
The HB90 method planners on Etsy
The HB90 Bootcamp
AmandaRachLee’s products (planners, notebooks, bags, stickers and washi tapes)
Todoist