Shannon | Editor of Words | Writer of Words | Lover of Words

Dark purple text centered on white background. Text reads "Chapter Grid Template." In each corner, feathered adornments.

Grab the free Chapter Grid template from my website 👉🏾 shorturl.at/AcXeL

#AmWriting #RevisionPlanning #FirstDraftFall

Star any “and then” bridge; swap it to “but/therefore.” Consequences raise the stakes.

Skim your draft in 30 minutes: jot beat ➡️ next opening for a 3- to 5-chapter cluster. Causality is key. #WritingTips #Pacing

At the top, Sage Editing logo with tagline "Reflecting On Your Story One Word at a Time". Below and to the left, a Black woman with raised eyebrows and black glasses drinking from a coffee mug that reads "Zero [Fox Image] Given." To the right, dark purple text "The Editor–Author Perspective".

Tomorrow’s final 2025 issue of The Editor–Author Perspective drops with an easy-to-use revision process, a year-end Sage Editing update, and subscriber-only workbook discounts.

Monthly, no spam—just thoughtful craft support 👉🏾 shorturl.at/worAQ

#AmWriting #WritingCommunity #AmEditing

Sage Editing I am someone completely obsessed with the power of language on the human experience, especially in queer romances and detective thrillers.In particular, I’ve got a soft spot for emotionally stunted an...

Reminder: Bundle discounts are live on my store!

💖 Romance Characters + Plotting
🕵🏾‍♀️ Detective Characters + Plotting
🏗️ Plotting + Structure + Characters

(Or just grab all four! 🤔😁)

If plotting/structure slow you down, bundle the fix. 👉🏾 shorturl.at/BxOFb

#QueerRomance #DetectiveThriller #AmWriting

3 quick signs the climax isn’t set up:

(1) There's no on-page choice to trigger it.
(2) The stakes haven’t risen enough.
(3) The next scene doesn’t assume the new change.

Fix one today. Save yourself the hard revisions tomorrow.

#AmWriting #Pacing #StoryStructure #WritingTips #FirstDraftFall

Open the next scene/chapter under those new limits; skip the unnecessary narrative recap.

#AmWriting #StoryStructure #FirstDraftFall

If the next scene plays the same either way, raise the consequence now. Your protagonist has to face something that genuinely forces them into one direction or the other.

Name your Midpoint: write the decision + consequence in one sentence. What turning point shifts your protagonist from being reactive to proactive? #FirstDraftFall #WritingTips

With floral borders, purple text in middle of white page reads "Spot-the-Beat Checklist".

Saturday Speed Checklist: Skim each chapter, tag those 7 beats, star the weak spots.

Grab the “spot-the-beat” list from my website here 👉🏾 shorturl.at/AcXeL.

Don’t forget to sign up for my monthly newsletter while you’re there!

#AmWriting #StoryStructure #QueerRomance

Want monthly craft notes + resource updates for queer romance & detective thrillers? Subscribe here 👉🏾 shorturl.at/worAQ

#WritingCraft #IndieAuthor #FirstDraftFall #WIPWork

One tiny fix this weekend: pick the story beat that wobbles, write 3 “because of that…” links, and run one scene experiment. Momentum > perfection. Need a visual reminder? Download the Spot-the-Beat from my website 👉🏾 shorturl.at/AcXeL

#Plotting #StoryStructure #WritingTips #FirstDraftFall

Listening the audiobook, I didn't get what a big deal it was. Reading the paperback? Good. Ness. I was Invested.

On white background, flower embellished images in each corner. Text in middle reads "Spot-the-Beat Checklist"

Time to check causality: does each beat in your manuscript push the next? If not, it requires adjusting.

Want a quick checklist to guide you?

Grab the cheat sheet from my website 👉🏾 sageediting.com/resources%F0...

#AmWriting #StoryStructure #QueerRomance

Pick your thinnest beat. Name 1 scene you’ll reinforce this week. Small, deliberate changes beat big, vague plans. Always.

#AmWriting #StoryStructure #QueerRomance #DetectiveThriller

The 7 story beats in under 60s: Inciting Incident 👉🏾 First Plot Point 👉🏾 First Pinch Point 👉🏾 Midpoint 👉🏾 Second Pinch Point 👉🏾 Second Plot Point 👉🏾 Dark Night 👉🏾 Climax.

List yours: one line each, using your draft, not your outline. It’s about what’s on the page right now.

#AmWriting #StoryStructure

Want ongoing tips + new resource drops? Subscribe to my monthly craft newsletter, The Editor–Author Perspective.

shorturl.at/worAQ

Short, friendly, and zero fluff. Link's in my bio!

#WritingCraft #IndieAuthor #AmWriting #WritingCommunity

If you find your plotting/structure stalls on you, ask, “What changes at my midpoint?”

Then map 3 “because of that…” links to restore momentum. The workbooks walk you through it, step by step.

#Plotting #StoryStructure

On purple gradient background, dark purple text reads "Author Resources. Reflecting on your story one word at a time" with a pride-colored pen drawing the last letter of "time".

I really did it. Store’s LIVE! Focused workbooks for queer romance & detective thriller authors—prompts for HEA/HFN arcs & detective case spines, plus scene tests to catch plot holes early.

👉🏾 payhip.com/sageediting

#QueerRomance #DetectiveThriller

Link dropping tomorrow morning, so don't miss it!

How do you celebrate your own creative milestones?

#WritingResources #WritingTips #QueerAuthor🌈✒️ #DetectiveFiction #WritingCommunity

You'll be able to find your story gaps, strengthen your structure, and tell your story with confidence.

What's one area of your writing that could use a little structure love?

#AmWriting #QueerAuthor🌈✒️ #DetectiveFiction #WritingCommunity

These are resources that speak *your* story's language. And these are just the start.

What kind of guide would help you grow most as a storyteller?

#AmWriting #QueerAuthor🌈✒️ #DetectiveFiction

I've got new tools dropping soon, as in TOMORROW.

Genre-specific workbooks for queer romance + detective thriller authors.

Which story challenge do you wish you understood better?

#AmWriting #QueerAuthor🌈✒️ #DetectiveFiction

Broke down and joined the Insta... Regular editing and writing tips throughout the week + the occasional writing prompt to spur your creativity!

www.instagram.com/shannonscott...

#WritingCommunity #EditingCommunity #AmWriting #AmEditing

Rule No. 1 of the internet: You must watch this video whenever it crosses your feed on any social media platform.

Rule No. 1A of the internet: This video must ALWAYS be reposted every time it crosses your feed on any social media platform.

ALWAYS.

A light in the nihilistic darkness that is this planet right now.

#MarriageEquality #LGBTQRights #PrideWasARiot

I finally started tracking my analytics over the past month and used it to create a more effective campaign across all my social media touchpoints. My engagement numbers have shot through the roof.

Richard Bradburn has a very extensive book called "Self-Editing for Self-Publishers" if you're looking for all in one at the granular level.

#AmEditing #EditingTips #WritingCommunity

Have definitely been in this situation multiple times. It's not even about the lack of understanding of craft, there's just something innate missing in how I think readers will identify with the characters. Because what is story without believable, relatable characters?

“The authorial voice from a flesh-and-blood writer remains a differentiator and that’s something the onslaught of AI Kindle uploads doesn’t have—publishers’ years of honing creative instincts and cultivating talent pipelines matter even more in a flood of content.”

👆🏾

#ReadMoreBooks