Your Next Draft

Alice Sudlow

Your Next Draft is the fiction writer's guide to developmental editing. What do you do after your first draft? How do you flesh out flat characters, fill in plot holes, and hook your readers from the first page to the last? What does editing a novel even mean? Developmental editor and book coach Alice Sudlow answers all these questions and more. Each week, she shares the editing strategies she's using with her one-on-one clients so you can put them to use in your own novel. Tune in for tips, tools, and step-by-step guides for the novel editing process.

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Top 10 Your Next Draft Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Your Next Draft episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Your Next Draft for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Your Next Draft episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Why the 6 Elements of Story Are the Key to All Great Stories

Your Next Draft

09/05/23 • 14 min

The story structure framework I use in every story I edit.
What do fractals and nesting dolls have to do with story structure? More than you might think.
Last week on the podcast, I shared my favorite story structure framework. It’s the same structure I use with all my one-on-one clients and in every novel I edit.
But I didn’t tell you why.
Why is it so powerful? Why do I use it in every story? Why do I love it so much that I’m still talking about it on the podcast?
In this episode, you’ll find out.
You’ll learn:

Why mastering this one story structure will level up your editing on every level of story
How this structure works for stories from romance to horror and everything in between
What this structure has in common with fractals—and why that’s fantastic news for your editing
And more!

If your story’s structure is feeling a little shaky, give these six elements a try. I think they’ll reveal powerful insights about your story.
Links mentioned in the episode:

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How Spider-Man (And All Great Stories) Makes Us Laugh, Cry, and Feel the Feels

Your Next Draft

06/20/23 • 21 min

The magic of storytelling is in making your readers feel. Here’s how great stories capture emotion.
One of my favorite questions to ask writers is, “What does success mean to you?”
And usually, I hear some version of the following:
You want to make readers feel. You want them to fall in love with your book. You want to make them laugh, to make them cry, to make them feel fear and excitement and relief and catharsis.
Sound like you? You’ll love this episode.
In it, I’m taking a close look at one of my favorite movie moments. It’s a scene that captures emotion so powerfully that even a tiny clip out of context can give you chills.
You’ll learn:

How Spider-Man packs so much emotion into 2 short minutes
Why explosive action alone isn’t enough to make your readers feel
The simple formula to create transcendent emotional experiences for your readers
And more!

Don’t worry—this episode contains no spoilers for the newest Spider-Man movie. Listen to it completely spoiler-free.
(Then, go watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse for another masterclass in creating emotion!)
Links mentioned in the episode:

Watch the clip here

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Use This One Editing Tip for Everything You Write

Your Next Draft

10/17/23 • 26 min

How to developmentally edit absolutely ANY piece of writing.
There’s an editing tip that applies to literally every kind of writing.
Bold statement, I know. But I stand by it.
Actually, “tip” is understating the matter. This “tip” is actually a mission-critical principle. It’s essential to every writing project.
Also, it’s my current favorite writing and editing tool. Lately, I’ve been using this every single time I sit down to write something new, and every time I open up a draft to edit.
What is this writing tip, you ask? Well, that's the topic of this episode.
In the episode, you’ll learn:

4 problems you’ll face when you don’t use this tip
3 ways this tip will make your writing better (and easier!)
Why this tip might be so darn hard to actually apply (hint: it’s fear)
How I used this exact tip to write this podcast episode
And more! (Like, you know, what the tip is!)

This episode is extra-special—and not just because I love this editing tip.
Today, Your Next Draft hits a major milestone: fifty episodes!
Would you celebrate with me by leaving a rating and review?

Here’s how:

If you’re using an Apple device, tap right here to open the podcast.
Scroll down nearly to the bottom.
Tap the number of stars you’d like to give.
Write a quick review. Even one sentence means a lot!

If you’re not using an Apple device, feel free to send me an email at [email protected] and tell me what you love about the podcast. We’ll have a party in my email inbox!
Here’s to fifty more! 🎉
Links mentioned in the episode:

Join my email list and get my free guide to edit your novel: alicesudlow.com/10steps
Ep. 36: Your Story Has Deep Meaning. Do You Know What It Is?

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Behind the Scenes of a Deep Dive Manuscript Evaluation

Your Next Draft

11/14/23 • 28 min

The 7 layers of analysis I use to edit a fourth draft of a novel.
I don’t know about you, but right now, my schedule is full. My days are packed with editing. I have several manuscripts I’m absolutely loving on my desk right now, so many pages to read, and so many notes to share with writers.
With all this editing, I didn’t have time to put together a typical episode of Your Next Draft for you. So . . . I’m doing something a little different today.
I’ve decided to pull back the curtain on the editing I’m doing right now, this week, on the manuscript I’m currently reading.
In this episode, you’ll get a glimpse of how I think about a manuscript as I edit it. You’ll see:

The 7 (yes, 7!) levels of analysis I’m applying as I read
The stage of the editing process this manuscript is in
How I know what levels of editing are right for this manuscript at this stage
The things I’m not editing in this manuscript right now
That I really, really, really love editing (so much that I peaked on the mic a few times as I recorded. Sorry!)
And more!

If you’ve ever wondered what a developmental editor is thinking when they’re editing a novel . . .
. . . well, this is it. These are my thoughts, almost in-the-moment, as I edit a manuscript I’m loving.
Huge shoutout to author J. D. Edwin, whose manuscript this episode is about, and who gave me the all clear to share a glimpse at our process together. She’ll be delighted if you check out her books at jdedwin.com.
They’re really good books. (Yes, I’m a bit biased, because I edited them. But still. They’re really good.)
Links mentioned in the episode:

Check out J. D. Edwin’s books: jdedwin.com
Listen to J. D. talk about her editing process: How to Create an Editing Process That Works for You With Author JD Edwin
See whether I’m the right editor for your novel: alicesudlow.com/wishlist
Reach out and let’s talk editing your novel: alicesudlow.com/contact

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How to Make Sure Even Your "Slow" Scenes Keep Your Readers Hooked

Your Next Draft

11/28/23 • 19 min

Four questions to make every scene of your novel un-put-down-able.
Some of your scenes are really exciting. They’re the big ones, the reasons why your readers picked up your book: the first kiss, the epic battle, the discovery of the body.
And some of your scenes . . . well, they’re the stuff that happens in between the exciting scenes.
In those scenes, the story slows down. Sometimes it slows down a lot. To glacial pace. To “eh, maybe I’ll finish reading this later” pace.
How do you keep your readers hooked? How do you keep them turning pages even during the scenes that are action-light and exposition-heavy?
In this episode, I’ll walk you through four questions to make sure even your “slow” scenes are un-put-down-able.
You’ll learn:

How to evaluate whether a “slow” scene is even necessary—or if you can cut it entirely
The 4-step process to edit your “slow” scenes to keep your readers hooked
2 things every “slow” scene needs
And more!

Your story is worth reading from cover to cover. Here’s how to make sure you don’t lose your readers during a dull moment midway through.
Links mentioned in the episode:

Get the Scene Analysis Worksheet: alicesudlow.com/sceneworksheet
See whether I’m the right editor for you: alicesudlow.com/contact
Ep. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every Story
Ep. 11: How to Edit a Scene of a Novel, Part 1
Ep. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene

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The Top 5 Editing Tips From Your Next Draft in 2023

Your Next Draft

12/12/23 • 22 min

The year’s most popular editing tip, plus four more strategies I don’t want you to miss.
What’s the best editing tip you’ve learned this year?
If you’ve been listening to Your Next Draft all year, there are quite a few to pick from—fifty, in fact.
So in this episode, I’m taking a look back at this year on Your Next Draft. I’ve selected the top five editing tips from 2023, tips you can put to use in your writing right away.
In it, you’ll hear:

The most popular editing tip from 2023
The editing principle I use with every manuscript and every client
The editing strategy a client pitched me (that has since become one of my favorite tools!)
And more!

It’s been a great year on the podcast. I can’t wait to share more editing strategies with you in 2024!
Links mentioned in the episode:

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Your Story Has Deep Meaning. Do You Know What It Is?

Your Next Draft

07/18/23 • 12 min

Your story has the power to shape the way your readers think.
So what is it communicating?
That’s the topic of this episode. In it, I’m sharing why storytelling is absolutely essential for humanity, plus the responsibility—and honor—that gives you as an author.
You’ll learn:

Why your writing is a gift to the world
6 stories I love and how they’ve shaped me
Why it’s YOUR responsibility to weave a point into your story—and where that responsibility ends
How author and reader collaborate to create meaning
And more!

Your writing is powerful. It carries great meaning. And it will have an impact on your readers.
It’s up to you to shape what that meaning will be.

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How Taylor Jenkins Reid Crafts an Exceptional Opening Scene

Your Next Draft

06/18/24 • 30 min

Your reader experiences your story one scene at a time. Make every scene un-put-down-able.
Great stories are made of great scenes.
Sure, your novel has a clever plot with twists and turns from the first page to the last. But the way your readers will experience that plot is . . .
. . . one scene at a time.
Which means if you want your readers to fall in love with your novel, you need to captivate them with scenes they can’t put down.
How do you do it?
I’ll show you in this episode. I’m analyzing a scene from The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo to show you how and why it works—
—and how you can create the same magic with your own scenes.
You’ll learn:

The timeless structure behind this modern scene
How every single detail in the scene enhances that structure
What Taylor Jenkins Reid shares through exposition—and what she leaves out
How to draw inspiration from this scene to craft an exceptional scene of your own
And more!

This episode is a sneak peek inside my upcoming Scene Mastery Workshop. In fact, this is the first scene we’ll study in the workshop. Then, we’ll dig into seven more scenes from other great novels.
So if you enjoy this episode, you’ll love the workshop.
Want to master editing scenes this summer? Click here to get all the details and apply »
Links mentioned in the episode:

Apply to join the Scene Mastery Workshop: alicesudlow.com/workshop
Ep. 27: Value Shifts: How to Craft Compelling Change in Every Story
Ep. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene

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4 Ways to Use a Scene List, Your Indispensable Editing Tool

Your Next Draft

05/30/23 • 16 min

Your scene list is your map to all your revisions. Here’s how to make the most of it.
If you’re doing a developmental edit on your manuscript, you need a scene list. Seriously—I can’t think of a single book I’ve edited without one.
Why? What makes a scene list so essential?
That’s what I’m covering in this episode of Your Next Draft.
You’ll learn:

4 ways that a scene list will make your editing process clearer, easier, and less overwhelming
How to use a scene list to plan your edits BEFORE you change a single word in your novel
The magic of condensing an 80,000-word manuscript into just a few pages
And more!

Plus, I’m sharing the story of my first-ever professional editing gig—and what happened when I didn’t make a scene list. (This lesson has stuck with me ever since!)
I know it’s tricky to condense an entire novel into just a few words. But a scene list is worth the effort it takes to create. Take a listen, and I’ll show you why.
Links mentioned in the episode:

Ep. 8: What Is a Scene? The Ultimate Guide to Write and Edit Amazing Scenes

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2 Essential Questions to Craft a Compelling Character Arc

Your Next Draft

03/14/23 • 21 min

If you want readers to fall in love with your protagonist . . .
. . . to remember them long after they finish your book . . .
. . . then you need to craft a compelling character arc.
To do that, you need to know: who is your protagonist?
What makes them unique? How do they grow and change? Why is their story worth telling?
And you can figure all that out by answering just two essential questions.
These questions are deceptively simple. But when you dig in and explore them, you’ll learn so much about what challenges your character faces and all the ways they’ll grow.
I ask these questions every time I work with a writer. And over and over, they lead us to breakthroughs about the writer’s protagonist—and the arc of their entire story.
Ready for the questions? Listen in! You’ll learn:

The two essential questions for brilliant character arcs
More than a dozen insights you’ll gain just by asking them
How to identify your character’s most important change
How to use that change to shape your story’s plot
And more!

Plus, I’ll show you how I would answer these two questions for the character arc in a novel I love: LITTLE THIEVES by Margaret Owen.
And I’ve created a worksheet to help you answer these questions for your character, too. Get the worksheet at alicesudlow.com/characterworksheet.
Links mentioned in the episode: