Your Next Draft

Discover how to flesh out flat characters and create a cast your readers will fall in love with. Learn the 4 essential questions to answer for richly-developed characters. Find out how to give side characters unique and memorable personalities. Explore the importance of delving into the backstory of side characters and understanding their decision-making process. Learn how to bring flat characters to life with goals, motivations, and interactions with other characters.

Explore the complexity of selecting the appropriate point of view in writing and the impact it has on the story and reader's experience. Discover the challenges and benefits of embracing a point of view with no predefined limitations and rules. Dive deep into the use of third-person omniscient point of view, setting boundaries to enhance the narrative and avoiding overwhelming readers with excessive information.

How to make the most of your editor’s feedback—even if you disagree with it.If you want to make the most of your editor’s feedback, there’s one phrase not to say.It’s natural. It’s normal. It’s something I’ve definitely said in other areas of my life.But when you’re collaborating with an editor to make your novel the best it can be, this phrase won’t help you.And in this episode, I’m sharing what this pesky phrase is and why it’s so dangerous.You’ll learn:One thing not to say to your editor—and what to say instead3 reasons why we want to say the wrong thingThe qualities my best editing clients all share (hint: it’s not about their story or their skill!)And more!If you’ve ever wondered how to make the most of working with an editor, this episode is for you. I hope it makes it a little easier—and more exciting!—to get an editor’s feedback.Links mentioned in this episode:Find out more about my editing: alicesudlow.comSee my editing services: alicesudlow.com/servicesSee whether I’m a good fit for your novel: alicesudlow.com/wishlistReach out and let’s chat about whether your novel is a good fit for me: alicesudlow.com/contactSend me a Text Message!Support the showRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

In this episode, the host celebrates the 50th episode milestone. They discuss a crucial editing tip that can be used in any form of writing, emphasizing the power of identifying your point and expressing it directly. The importance of clarity in writing is highlighted, along with strategies for helping writers find their intended message. The chapter also addresses the significance of courage and summarizing the point of your writing in one sentence.

In this podcast, the host discusses the importance of understanding your values and needs as a writer. They explore the stages of learning and executing writing skills and provide a decision-making framework for choosing the right writing resources. They also share exclusive bonuses and express their dedication to supporting writers.

Discover how to choose the right writing resources for you, including working with an editor, joining a writing course, getting a book coach, or gathering beta readers. Find out how to navigate the overwhelming options available and learn a decision-making framework to help you make the right choices. Get insights into the Notes to Novel course and whether it aligns with your values and needs. Consider joining before the doors close if it's the right fit for your writing journey.

See the masterful story structure that undergirds the opening scene of How to Train Your Dragon.Great stories are built on great story structure. And my favorite story structure framework is one that you can apply on every level of story.It’s called the six elements of story, and it’s an editing tool you can use on every layer of your story.To prove it, I’m doing a deep dive into the structure of How to Train Your Dragon. First, I broke down the six elements of the movie as a whole. Then, I took a closer look at the first act of the movie.And in this episode, I’m breaking down the opening scene.You’ll learn:The essential value shifts that change from the start of the scene to the endThe critical, life-or-death choice Hiccup must make in the very first scene of the movieHow that choice sets up everything to comeAnd more!Want more? You can see my full analysis of How to Train Your Dragon all on one spreadsheet. Go to alicesudlow.com/dragon to get the spreadsheet.Then, go find the six elements of story in your scenes!Links mentioned in the episode:Watch the opening scene of How to Train Your DragonWatch the resolution of the opening sceneGet the full How to Train Your Dragon analysis: alicesudlow.com/dragonEp. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every StoryEp. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and SceneEp. 43: Why the 6 Elements of Story Are the Key to All Great StoriesEp. 45: How the 6 Elements of Story Work in How to Train Your DragonEp. 46: How the 6 Elements of Story Work in Act 1 of How to Train Your DragonSend me a Text Message!Support the showRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

The story structure that makes the first act of How to Train Your Dragon work.One of my favorite things about the six elements of story structure is the fact that they work everywhere.You can use them to structure your entire novel. You can use them to structure each act. And you can use them to structure each scene.And to prove it, I’m breaking down the first act of How to Train Your Dragon to show you the six elements at work.You’ll learn:What values shift in the first act (and why those changes are good and bad)The crisis choice Hiccup must make, and the many risks at stakeHow the inciting incident and resolution make the value shifts crystal clearAnd more!Plus, you can get my full spreadsheet analyzing How to Train Your Dragon at alicesudlow.com/dragon.Links mentioned in the episode:Get the full How to Train Your Dragon analysis: alicesudlow.com/dragonWatch the opening scene of How to Train Your DragonEp. 45: How the 6 Elements of Story Work in How to Train Your DragonEp. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every StorySend me a Text Message!Support the showRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

See the story structure that makes this brilliant movie work.The six elements of story are the essentials of great story structure. And in the last few episodes of Your Next Draft, I’ve shared a lot of theory about them: what they are, how they work, and where to use them.But theory only gets you so far. Story structure makes a lot more sense when you can see it at work.So in this episode, I’m breaking down the movie How to Train Your Dragon so you can see the six elements in practice.You’ll learn:How the inciting incident sets up the conflict of the entire storyThe difficult question Hiccup faces in the crisis—and why both his options have consequencesWhy the climax delivers so well that it gives me chills every time I see itAnd more!See story structure at work in this masterful example. Then, put it to work in your own stories and craft your own masterpieces!Links mentioned in the episode:Get the Scene Analysis Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheetEp. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every StoryEp. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and SceneEp. 43: Why the 6 Elements of Story Are the Key to All Great StoriesEp. 44: 3 Ways to Apply the 6 Elements of Story Structure to Your NovelSend me a Text Message!Support the showRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts "I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »

Learn how to apply the six elements of story structure to your novel in three different ways. Discover how this story structure framework can be used at every level of your story, from the overall manuscript to individual scenes. Explore the concept of beats and how they can enhance conflict and change within a scene. Gain insights into editing your novel using the six elements of story structure, and download a worksheet to help identify these elements in your own story.