Self-editing your story requires a detailed analysis of the effectiveness and value of each plot point and supporting scene. Use the Plot and Scene Analysis guide to ensure your readers can follow your story without boredom or confusion and that the story communicates the message you intend to share with your readers.

Understanding the structure of your manuscript is critical to an effective self-edit. While each manuscript has a blend of all structural elements, one will dominate the work. Use The MICE Quotient guide to identify the overall structure of your story to ensure that the story you started writing is the story you finished.

Focusing on the elements of the narrative arc within your story helps in both the writing and the self-editing processes. Use the narrative arc walkthrough guide to help shape your viewpoint character or protagonist's experiences and ensure your readers find cohesion of character and related plot points for enjoyable reading.

If you've been noodling over your story but haven't started, or if you worked on your story but have stagnated, download and print this five-page packet to jumpstart your planning and your writing. Look at the big picture, nail down the details, and gain clarity.

When we read, our brains automatically read over the incorrect words and replace them with the correct ones. Add these words to your word processor's exclusions dictionary so that your processor will flag them as misspelled for your review.