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!
Hi Jackie,
Great start to 2019! Just downloaded a copy of What we Talk About When WeTalk about Love by Raymond Carver thanks to you. Looking forward to a month of your developmental editing advice and experience as I’ve started the process and agree with all you’ve said. Boy is it hard, challenging, but absolutely necessary. Best wishes in the new year. Lorraine
Hi Lorraine! Oh, I hope you find the Raymond Carver story worthwhile. It’s so subtle yet leaves you thinking about it for days.
I’m glad you’ve joined the editing challenge! Please keep me posted on how you’re doing and if I can be of any help. 🙂
Hi Jackie,
Today’s post is reassuring in the sense of knowing I have created a 2nd document of passages and scenes I have cut
but saved for inclusion maybe later. Wish I could complete in 31 days! Suspect from here on in your postings will be new for me, and if they speed up my progress by offering all your insight and experience I shall be grateful.
Did you see the interview between Barbara Kingsolver and Richard Powers in Poets and Writers? It’s Kingsolver’s description of how she writes a novel, how she plans and outlines vs having an idea and seeing where the characters and storylines take you. I chose the second route but think her approach might have reduced the challenge of the developmental editing process. Maybe you will address this? Wonder if the later often a newbie attempt vs. published author or the creative process? Thanks as always. Lorraine
Hi Jackie,
Happy New Year!
I signed up for the editing challenge but haven’t received anything in my inbox, yet. Please let me know if you require anything else from me.
Thanks,
Purabi
Hi Purabi,
Happy New Year to you also!
I’m so glad you signed up for the editing challenge. I hope that you find it helpful. If you signed up yesterday, your daily emails will start today. But don’t worry about what you missed, there will be links at the bottom of each email to catch up on previous messages.
Please let me know if you don’t receive the emails, and of course let me know if you have any questions!
-Jackie
I browsed your website and happened upon this 31 day edit challenge perhaps two years too late. Curious if you intend to repeat it sometime in the future. I’m interested in have a professional edit my manuscript. I’d like to do one more round of self-editing before contacting you for developmental editing.
Thanks for your wonderful tips!
Hi! Thanks so much for your interest! I don’t have any immediate plans to launch the editing challenge because I’ll be starting 31 Days of Writing Inspiration in January. Even if you’re moving into the revision phase of your novel, you’ll find lots of encouragement to keep going. Find out more here! https://jacquelincangro.com/31-days-of-writing-inspiration-for-2021/