#Exposition Plot Meaning

And I’m not even done #collateralrealm #octrauma #charactertrauma #writersofinstagram #fantasy

First time for everything! Marco’s book needs a trigger warning page and a content disclosure (?) page for medical representation. What have I gotten myself into!? 🥴 #author #mentalhealthrep #triggerwarnings #contentwarning #bookediting

Mannerisms and Quirks part 2 #reelsinstagram #OCdetails #characterdesign Want your OC to feel more alive? Here are unique mannerisms and quirks to show emotion, anxiety, charm, and personality through subtle behavior. Perfect for writers and artists building deeper, more expressive characters. 🎭✨ Hashtags: #OCinspiration #writingtips characterdevelopment Music/audio: Good For You – THBD

🫨 *Let's talk about how NOT to lose yourself in your art* 🥴 🎭 As an artist it can be very easy to lose yourself in your work, in your artistic cave, in your creative identity. We get so caught up in the world we are creating that reality can sometimes feel distant or non existent. Now I am not a licensed professional, therapist or counselor, nor do I claim to be, so if you are experiencing withdrawals, unusual emotional extremes or episodes please seek a doctor or licensed professional to get the help you need. 📖 AUTHOR'S UPDATE: As a writer, I've been marinating on how to not lose myself so much in the world of the characters I am creating that I lose sight of Briana all together. Yes, I want the character to be honest. Yes, I want the characters to be fully human and complex. Yet, I don't want to create this world at the expense of my soul. 💭 We are more than our gifts to the world. They are tools. Perhaps you were born with it. Maybe it was taught and honed, but your gift is what you do. It is not ALL of who you are. It is not your full identity. Don't you think you're capable of so much more? I do! If we bind ourselves to a specific gift or talent and choose not to evolve as needed or as each season warrants we run the risk of limiting our full potential. Walk in your fullness in every season. Evolve. Grow. Enjoy the Ride, but Come Back to Yourself! We need you. #bmor #authorsjourney #writing #fyp #booktok

“Why does developmental editing take so long?” I get this question a lot! My thoughts as seen in the July 2025 Member Newsletter of CCW. #developmentalediting #Writinginspo #DevelopmentalEdits

As a developmental editor these are some of the common areas I see writer’s struggle with. 1. Showing and Telling: Over-Telling: Too much exposition can pull readers out of the story. Over-Showing: Conversely, overloading with detailed descriptions can slow the pace. By balancing showing and telling you help keep the story moving and the reader flipping the pages. 2. Vary Chapter Openings: Avoid Repetitive Beginnings: Starting multiple chapters with your MC waking up can become a bit boring (Don’t worry, I’ve done it too). Diversify Openings: Consider beginning chapters with dialogue, action, or introspection to maintain reader interest. 3. Narrative Distance: Too much separation can hinder reader connection with characters. However, overly intimate narration may leave characters overly emotional or self-centred. Again balance is key. Also note point of view will play a role in narrative distance. Comment EDITING and I’ll send you a workbook to make revisions a little easier.⬇️ 📕 Hi, I’m Victoria — a writer and developmental editor passionate about helping sensitive authors bring their dream novels to life. Currently crafting my debut novel, With You I Glow — a heartfelt rom-com following Elle’s journey through anxiety, love, and loss in Ireland. #IndieAuthors #BookEditing #WritingJourney #developmentalediting

But…character development!! Origin story!! (I definitely did not do this exact thing to one of my characters) #fortheplot #originstory #authormeme #oc

Here’s an in-depth look at how I work! I want all of my clients to feel like I am a big sister to their manuscript, cheering it on and giving it the sometimes hard critique that it needs. Every edit starts with a read through where I read and comment on your manuscript just like a reader would. Then I move on to compiling all of my notes into an actionable report. This will give you the full critique as well as options for moving forward into your next edit. We end with a zoom where you can discuss the choices that you are making for your next edit with me, and get a little additional guidance! If you’re interested in working with me, please inquire via the link in my bio and fill out the form on my website. #developmentaleditor #fantasyeditor

POV: you nervously open your editorial assessment bracing for pain.🫣😬 But instead see comments like: 🤩OMG I loved this! You had me swooning here. Great dialogue and emotion. ☀️Your MC is meant to be nervous here. Consider weaving in some sensory details to help show the reader how anxiety is impacting their choices. 🔥Consider lingering a bit more in this scene. Show readers that weighty energy that’s sitting between them. She wants him to make the first move but there’s still fear on what might happen if they take that leap. 📖 Editing doesn’t have to be scary. My goal? Help you make your book even stronger—without sacrificing your voice or crushing your soul. 💕

Dialogue is a great tool to support your character’s journey but when you rely on it too much it can pull readers out of the story. Here are some ways you can cultivate a balance within your novel Break your dialogue up and weave in narrative that shows your MC’s inner thoughts, emotions or scenery. Ask yourself if the dialogue could be swapped for interiority. Often some of the observations or emotions said work very well as inner thought. In the example below there’s a lot of dialogue but not much else to anchor the reader into the scene: “I wouldn’t survive in prison right?”I huff as I toss the groceries down on the table.
“You are going to need to give me some context here.”
“Kicking a certain Scottish photographer is probably not going to solve my problems right?” 
“Elle first, you know my thoughts on physical violence. And second, you are probably more likely to hurt yourself than Alex. Let’s be real I’ve seen you in kickboxing.” 
“You’re right. I’m being dramatic. It’s… just…” Revamped version: “I wouldn’t survive in prison right?”I huff as I toss the groceries down on the table. Hazel stopped typing and arched her eyebrow in confusion. 
“You are going to need to give me some context here.” “Kicking a certain Scottish photographer is probably not going to solve my problems right?” I slump into the kitchen chair & rummage through the bag of snacks until I find some chocolate.
“Elle first, you know my thoughts on physical violence. And second, you are probably more likely to hurt yourself than Alex. Let’s be real I’ve seen you in kickboxing.” She reached across the table and gave my hand a gentle squeeze. The touch subtle but enough to calm my body down. “You’re right. I’m being dramatic. It’s… just…” My goal when it editing is honour your voice and help make the experience magic for the reader. Because every author dreams of getting DMs like “OMG I am obsessed with your book.” Let’s make magic happen in 2026. I made a free worksheet to help making editing a little less daunting. Comment “EDITING” to grab it.

Subtle changes with big impact 👇 Try this: Let your characters misread the moment. Not because they’re wrong...but because emotion distorts perception. This tiny shift is what makes a scene feel raw, human, and impossible for readers to skim past. Here are a few ways you can do this: 1️⃣ Remember that emotion changes what your character sees. Real people filter the world through their wounds and desires, so carry that idea over to your characters. Accurate reaction: They were whispering about the schedule. Emotional distortion: They whispered, and her chest tightened; she didn’t hear her name, but she felt it. 💡 Readers don’t connect to facts, but they do connect to fear. 2️⃣ Experiment with how emotion changes what your character assumes. What they believe is more revealing than what is true. Neutral: He figured she must be stuck in traffic. Emotional: Her empty chair hollowed him out. She wasn’t late; she was gone. Again. 💡 Misinterpretation transmits instant vulnerability. 3️⃣ Lean into how emotion changes how your character interprets tone. People hear what they’re afraid of hearing. Surface-level: She didn’t like how gentle his voice sounded. Layered: He said her name softly, too softly. Kindness had always been the warm edge of disappointment. 💡 The line cuts deeper when the reader knows why it hurts. What’s key here is that emotion doesn’t hit harder because you describe it better — the secret sauce is when you show how it warps the world. So have fun letting emotion bend perception, twist meaning, and blur reality, just like it does in real life. If you want your scenes to break hearts, start here. Let the misbelief lead the moment. Save this + follow @pen.and.polish 😊🙌

The truth is: ✍🏽 You didn’t do enough development before you let yourself write and it shows. Plotters have a significant advantage over pantsers - not that it all can’t be fixed during the editing process. 🫣 You’re embarrassed of this draft for no reason. You forget it is literally the first step in a long process. What you have today is nothing like what you will have when you hold your published book one day. 🫀 You don’t know your character’s want and need so you forgot to let it guide you and inform your story decisions. You literally made the process harder on yourself. 🗣️ You let friends and family read it way too early and now they have you confused. Early drafts belong with fellow writers only and with editors. If you’re planning developmental edits for summer 2026 and beyond, now’s the time to claim one of my remaining openings. I offer: - Fantasy-specialized developmental editing - Story, character development, structure, and world-building support - Limited monthly slots for deep, intentional work Ready to fight for your fairytale and finally finish that manuscript? DM me or visit my site to inquire. #fantasywriter #developmentaleditor #fantasyeditor