Yes! It’s perfectly normal not to know exactly what you need. Part of an editor’s job is to help you identify where your manuscript needs the most support and recommend the level of editing that would be most useful.
Editing terms can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re not sure what your book needs next. This guide explains the different levels of editing for fiction authors and what each one does
A sample edit is a short excerpt of your manuscript that an editor reviews before you commit to a full editing project. In this post, I break down what a sample edit is, how it works, what it can (and can’t) tell you, and how to use one to make a confident, informed decision about working with an editor.
If you’d rather explore by topic, you’ll find everything organized below—from writing foundations and story craft to editing insights and publishing notes.
Welcome to the first week of Prose in Progress 2025! Grab your favorite fall drink and settle in. This is your cozy corner for writing encouragement and support over the next three months.
There’s something about October that feels like a reset button. The air shifts, the calendar flips, and suddenly it feels like time to set big goals.
But here’s the thing: writing goals are optional. You don’t have to crank out 1,000 words a day to be a “real” writer.
Some writers thrive with daily goals and spreadsheets. Others do better with looser rhythms and small moments squeezed into real life. Both are valid.
The most important thing? Staying connected to your story in a way that feels doable for you.
Here are three approaches you can play with this week:
Word counts as guides not rules: Instead of “1,000 words a day,” try “2,000 words this week.”
Time goals for flexibility: A 20-minute sprint after dinner can build momentum just as much as a big weekend session. (Pro tip: Download Focus Friend!)
Habit anchors that stick: Attach writing to something you already do (coffee, commute, lunch break).
None of these are set in stone. Think of them as experiments. You’re simply noticing what helps you keep showing up.
Do You Need Writing Goals?
Want more ideas for building a writing routine? This week’s blog dives deeper into why writing goals work for some writers and not others, and how to create routines that bend with your life.
If rigid goals never seem to work for you, you’re not broken.
Some writers do better tracking effort instead of output.
Try:
lowering the bar: “Open the document” can be enough to get started.
using cues, not clocks: “During coffee” is often easier to follow than “at 7 am.”
celebrating small wins: Effort counts, whether it’s one sentence or ten pages.
Free Resource
To help you experiment, I created a Routine Tracker you can download for free. It’s a simple, flexible tool to help you notice patterns in your writing habits. Use it to try new habits, reflect on what works, and celebrate every small win.
You don’t need the “perfect” goal or routine to move forward. You just need something that feels doable for you.
Take it one week at a time, and remember: your words matter, no matter how they arrive on the page.
I’ll be here, cheering you on, coffee in hand. And if you try the Routine Tracker this week, hit reply and tell me how it went. I’d love to hear all about it.
