I love the start of a new year. Setting new goals. Trying a different approach. Thinking about what I want to accomplish. If I’m not careful, I get overwhelmed in the deluge of ideas and I abandon the whole thing by January 5.

Heading into 2019, I’m reminding myself to take it one step at a time. This is especially necessary if you’ve planned to edit a novel, memoir or short story. Breaking this huge and often unwieldy task into bite-sized chunks will help quell the stress and anxiety.

One of the biggest questions writers must answer when editing their work is one of the simplest: where do I begin? I decided to put together a month of small editing challenges that will keep you connected to your story while gaining a new perspective, and I hope you will be interested in joining me.

What is the 31-Day Editing Challenge?

The 31-Day Editing Challenge invites you to gain a new perspective on your story and approach it with an editor’s eye. I designed it to deliver quick and focused tasks to help you stay on track.

Every day throughout January, you’ll receive a message from me right in your inbox. At the end of each email, you’ll find links to the messages that came before. If you miss one, or want to revisit one of your favorites, this list makes it easy to go back.

This challenge is designed to keep you connected to your manuscript. Many editing models list dozens of generic questions for you to ask about your manuscript in a checklist format. While these questions can get you thinking more objectively about your story, then what? Once you consider your opening paragraphs or your protagonist’s goals, what are the next steps? That’s where this challenge will help. Over the next 31 days, you’ll develop:

• Actionable steps
• Techniques to implement in your story
• Skills to make changes with purpose and intention

Join me…it’s free!

Most of us need a little jump-start in January. We feel a bit depleted and maybe a bit let down after the holidays. The days are short and cold. Let this challenge lay the foundation for a solid manuscript in 2019.

Each day will have a different challenge. Sometimes an editing tip; sometimes a note on creative writing techniques; sometimes an encouraging word; sometimes suggestions on how to identify and revise your manuscript.

Questions?

Q: When do I receive the first challenge? January 1. Or if you sign up after January 1, the next day. if you join sometime in January, you’ll find links to all previous messages in that first email.

Q: How much is this program? It is FREE. Really.

Q: Is there a deadline to join? No. I recommend joining as soon as possible so you can take full advantage of building this foundation, but join any time until January 31 and still have access to all 31 challenges.

Q: Do I need a special login or password? Nope. You’ll receive the inspirations in your inbox each morning. Be sure to check your spam folder or the promotions tab in your inbox.

Q: Will the editing challenges be posted to your blog? The only way to get them is through the opt in form below.

Q: Can I send 31-Day Editing Challenge to a friend? Absolutely! This link will take them to the sign-up form so they can receive the messages in their inbox.

Q: I already get your creative writing newsletter. Do I need to sign up? Thank you! I am asking people who want to receive the 31-Day Editing Challenge to opt in. Just click the link below and you’ll be well on your way.

Sign up!

If you can’t see or click on the “Sign Up” button above, please click here to join.

I’m looking forward to going on this journey with you, day by day!