Scene Workshop: Listen in on a Scene Edit with Author and Editor Kim Kessler

Mar 28, 2023

In this episode, the host and guest dive into a real-life scene edit. They discuss the process of developmental editing, including specific recommendations and questions asked. They touch on the nerves associated with working with an editor and the value of editing sessions. Key moments include the importance of knowing the purpose of the novel, analyzing the scene's atmosphere and character desires, creating tension and conflict, and the significance of turning points and decision-making in storytelling.

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Episode notes

Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Introducing Kim Kessler and Live Editing

01:41 • 10min

Reintegrating After Loss

11:56 • 16min

Analyzing the Atmosphere, Stakes, and Character's Desires

28:01 • 6min

Avoiding Negative Feelings and Trauma

34:00 • 31min

Creating Tension and Conflict

01:05:03 • 15min

The Significance of Turning Points and Decision-Making in Storytelling

01:19:40 • 4min

Avoidance and Self-Medicating

01:23:24 • 7min

Choosing a Specific Theme for Your Story

01:30:34 • 10min

Ever wondered what it looks like to get feedback from an editor?

Recently, my friend Kim Kessler, herself a developmental editor and author, sent me a scene of the novel she’s working on. I read it and prepared some notes for her.

Then, we hopped on a call to talk through my feedback.

And we recorded the whole conversation!

In this episode, you’ll hear exactly how developmental editing works. I walk Kim through the same process I use for all my editing clients.

You’ll hear the questions I ask her, the specific recommendations I give, and my favorite part: the moment of epiphany, when we “solve” what she needs to do next with her scene.

And if you ever feel nervous about working with an editor . . . well, we get it. Kim and I share why we felt nervous about this episode, too—and why this editing session was worth all the nerves and risk!

Fair warning: this episode is long.

It’s worth listening to the whole thing, especially if you want to hear exactly what a real developmental editing session looks like.

But if you’d like to jump straight to some key moments, check out these time stamps:

[5:42] Why Kim and I don’t offer sample edits of developmental editing

[10:06] Kim introduces her novel and shares the context of her scene

[18:35] The most important editing question: WHY Kim is writing this novel and what she wants it to achieve

[25:40] What I love about Kim’s scene and what she’s doing well

[29:47] The start of our scene analysis—if you’ve listened to the episode “5 Essential Questions to Fix Boring Scenes,” these questions will be familiar to you

[36:22] What changes in this scene? What’s the value shift?

[54:31] What is this scene really about?

[1:02:45] The specific recommendation I have for Kim’s scene

[1:04:57] Kim and I brainstorm ways to apply that feedback

And if you’d like this kind of feedback on your scenes . . .

. . . keep your eye out for a way to sign up for a scene critique of your own, coming soon!

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