Learn how to shape compelling scenes

Hone your writing and editing skills with articles, books, webinars, booklets and podcast episodes dedicated to understanding a novel's scene.

​Scroll down the page or click on an icon to go straight to a section. Want to learn about a different topic? Select the green icon to return to the main library page.​
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PODCAST EPISODES

Books for fiction editors and authors

Line Editing for Crime, Mystery and Thriller Writers

A handbook for any writer and professional editor who wants to craft page-turning moments in crime, mystery, suspense and thriller fiction.

​Each chapter explains how the topic works, then provides an accessible framework for editing at sentence level, and finishes with a lengthy before-and-after worked example that demonstrates line editing in action.

Editing Fiction at Sentence Level

Fiction is about flow, rhythm, mood, voice and style. But mostly it’s about story. When writers self-edit at line level with confidence, story is elevated by the sentence, rather than buried beneath it.

Editing Fiction at Sentence Level shows you how to hone your line craft so that your narrative and dialogue compel readers to turn the page.​

Making Sense of Point of View

Do readers know which character's head they're in? Making Sense of Point of View helps editors and authors understand the different narration styles in commercial fiction.

I teach you how to recognize viewpoint, and hold it, so that readers are immersed in your story and your characters' experiences of the world you've created. Throughout, examples of good and problematic practice are given to illustrate the learning.

Making Sense of ‘Show, Don’t Tell’

‘I cannot tell you how informative and useful I found this’ – Nic Winter, crime writer

​​​This fiction-editing guide helps editors and authors understand the differences between shown and told prose. Learn how to determine whether there are stylistic problems and how to craft solutions. The outcome is a stronger story and a more immersive reading experience.

Making Sense of Punctuation

This fiction-editing guide shows authors and editors how to use different types of punctuation in a novel.

​I go beyond publishing-industry conventions and teach you how to play with punctuation so that your prose is clear but laced with mood and rhythm too.

Articles about scene craft in novel writing

Scroll down to see what's available in this section.
The voyage through your edits is an intellectual and craft adventure, ​getting me in touch with a different and often better way to say things.
DAN FLANIGAN, AUTHOR OF THE PETER O'KEEFE THRILLERS

Courses for fiction writers

Crime & Thriller Editing Bundle

Learn about the genre, stylistic tools, common problems and actionable advice on how to edit synopses, query letters and blurbs, and how to get your business organized and visible. And get a PDF version of the handbook that every crime, mystery and thriller writer or editors needs on their bookshelf.

​Narrative (Psychic) Distance

‘Told me masses of new stuff, and gave me a set of new tools to use immediately.’ – SoA @ Home Festival​ attendee
This webinar teaches professional fiction editors and commercial fiction authors how to recognize and control narrative (psychic) distance, and edit for a better reader experience.​

How to Line Edit for Suspense

Learn how to identify suspense in a novel and evaluate its effectiveness using the suspense trifecta framework. Edit for improved reader experience and communicate your revisions with confidence.

Get my best advice straight into your inbox

The Editorial Letter comes out once a month. Get my best advice on fiction editing and editorial business building.
You'll get my ​free proofreading checklist and editorial glossary when you sign up.

Listen to the Scene Collection

Listen to these episodes of The Editing Podcast in which Denise and Louise discuss resources to help you take care of scene issues.