Chris and Christy discuss the developmental editing process for Chris’s upcoming book. We talk about our slightly unconventional editing process and how diving more deeply into each point of view character can help build stakes and create a richer, more textured world.

This episode is full of spoilers for Chris’ upcoming novel! So if you don’t want the book spoiled, come back to this one after you read it!

Topics Covered:

• Developmental editing process

• Character development and interiority

• Thematic elements and mood of the book

• World-building

• Feedback and collaboration between writer and editor

We talk about the advantages and pitfalls of writing groups, debate team style! Christy tries to convince Chris, a writing group skeptic, that there are advantages to an author-focused feedback group. We talk about how to get good feedback and how to establish strong, productive relationships with writing partners and groups.

Shout outs:

• Diana Ma
• Amanda Kost
• Felicia Rose Chavez’s “The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop”: FELICIA ROSE CHAVEZ (antiracistworkshop.com)
• Carly Jayne (@lovelikesalt on Instagram)

Links and such

• Chris' Novels: Systemic and Host: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BP9VDQ8C ⁠
• Christina's website: ⁠https://www.christinascheuer.com⁠
• Chris' Author Website: ⁠https://chrislodwigauthor.com⁠
• Christina's Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ashmeadowedits⁠
• Chris’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Christopherlodwig/
• Chris' Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ChrisLodwigAuthor⁠
• Christina's email: cscheuer@gmail.com
• Chris' email: ChrisLodwig@gmail.com

We chat about where we are in our novel projects. Christy talks about her slow crawl towards the end of her book. We discuss how synopses can help you clarify narrative arc and how writing friends can help you get out of your own way. Chris explains how his project management expertise applies to crafting a novel. Christy tries to convince Chris to channel his anxiety into a horror novel and encourages him to write down of his messiest emotions to ensure his very complicated series finale does not lack soul.

Shout outs:

• Diana Ma
• Todd Lubsen
• Amanda Kost
• Titus Grupp
• Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein
• Isaac Asimov
• The Ologies episode on Teratology (Monsters)
• Stephen King, and especially Misery
• The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
• No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
• Ms. Tennell, our high school religion, ethics, and philosophy teacher
• Aunt Beth, as always

Links and such

• Chris' Novels: Systemic and Host: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BP9VDQ8C ⁠
• Christina's website: ⁠https://www.christinascheuer.com⁠
• Chris' Author Website: ⁠https://chrislodwigauthor.com⁠
• Christina's Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/ashmeadowedits⁠
• Chris’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Christopherlodwig/
• Chris' Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ChrisLodwigAuthor⁠
• Christina's email: cscheuer@gmail.com
• Chris' email: ChrisLodwig@gmail.com