Have you ever wondered what a Fictionary StoryCoach edit is all about? Here’s everything you ever wanted to know.
What is a StoryCoach Edit?
A StoryCoach edit is a structural edit performed by a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor. This type of edit evaluates the story, not the grammar, punctuation, or prose.
The Fictionary StoryCoach editor kindly and objectively reviews and analyzes a manuscript using the Fictionary application. They look at each scene, using the 38 elements to appraise the effectiveness of the plot, setting, and character aspects of the story.
Once completed, a story-level analysis reveals patterns related to pacing, POV, locations, plot, sensory details, and much more. It’s all designed to help a writer determine what they’ve nailed in their story and give them solid advice on how to improve it even more.
Why Choose a StoryCoach Edit?
Whether you’re a published author or a first-time writer, a developmental edit from a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach editor places a fresh set of eyes on your manuscript.
You’ve probably reviewed it so many times, you’re unsure if your scene goals are clear or if your plot is coherent. The StoryCoach edit is unique because it’s comprehensive—analyzing plot, character, and setting elements—and it’s objective.
The software allows for a deep and organized analysis of your story in a uniform and quantitative approach that gives consistent results and a clear idea of what works in your story and what might need some attention.
Who Can Be a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor?
To acquire Fictionary StoryCoach certification, editors attend live classes and complete in-depth, self-paced courses that impart deep knowledge of story structure, solid scene analysis skills, and proficiency with the powerful features within Fictionary’s incredible software.
They must complete a comprehensive edit on a challenging manuscript, performing an accurate review within Fictionary and providing encouraging observations and actionable advice.
How Do Fictionary Certified Editors Perform a StoryCoach edit?
Writers all have a unique voice and style. Some love to focus on plot, while others dig into character arcs, and many have a flair for vivid descriptions. You might be surprised to know that most editors also have a particular style and approach to editing.
While all Fictionary certified StoryCoach editors perform edits with thoroughness and attention to all aspects of story structure, some have a particular love for character, understanding the backstory, wounds, and motivations of characters. Focusing on the growth a character experiences in a story is an aspect of storytelling that enhances the power of the plot, and when you add in a vivid setting, it makes for a solid story.
Other Fictionary Certified StoryCoach editors have an affinity for plot. They latch on to clues, red herrings, omens, and twists with delight, savoring the ebbs and flows in the story arc and examining their impact on the story’s characters.
And of course, there are those who revel in description, losing themselves in the graphic depictions of worlds from the past or the future, or even a contemporary fictional town, perhaps under siege from mythical creatures or a monster hurricane.
No matter what part of the story a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach editor holds especially dear, they all tackle an edit with enthusiasm (because reading stories is fun!).
While individual approaches may vary, most begin by performing basic housekeeping like identifying the protagonist and reviewing the skeleton and story blurbs. Some read scene by scene, making notes to capture initial impressions and identify clues or hints of foreboding, pointing out gripping entry and exit hooks on their first pass through the story and finding developments in the plot to track through the story. Others prefer to read the entire manuscript at once, absorbing the story as a whole.
Typically, the next steps include identifying the five story arc scenes to ensure the story has a solid structure and confirming the protagonist is the POV character in those pivotal scenes and that the scenes contain new information, provide tension, and change the story’s direction.
Then it’s on to analyzing the 38 story elements for each scene and adding notes that point out what has been done well and where there’s room for improvement. Kindly, of course!
Issues that are revealed in each individual scene review include:
- Goal not related to the plot
- Missing, weak, or unfocused scene stakes
- Lack of tension and/or conflict
- Weak or missing scene structure (entry/exit hook, middle, climax)
- Underuse of setting elements such as senses, weather, and objects
Once the scene-by-scene review has been completed, it’s time for the overall story analysis. The Fictionary app has outstanding tools that allow the Fictionary Certified StoryCoach editor to use the completed scene evaluations to examine the entire manuscript for important issues like:
- Pacing (words per scene, scenes per chapter, placement of story arc scenes, etc.)
- Overuse/underuse of senses
- Scene anchoring (POV, time, and place)
- Plot holes, mirroring, continuity
- Too many named characters
- Distribution of scenes among POV characters
- Consecutive action/sequel scenes and opening/closing types
- Tracking the character story arc
- The overall story arc (placement of arc scenes)
Recent additions to the Fictionary app include AI features which offer a second opinion, an objective one, regarding POV character, scene name, scene purpose, tension, and conflict. It often helps affirm that the Fictionary Certified StoryCoach editor’s take on a scene is correct and provides the writer with solid feedback on those components of their scenes.
What You’ll Receive From A Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor
Once they’ve completed all of the analysis, the Fictionary Certified StoryCoach editor writes a summary letter providing the details of the edit. This includes both the story-level observations as well as the scene evaluations, using charts and graphs produced by Fictionary, and providing constructive suggestions where applicable.
Along with this letter, your manuscript is returned to you, showing all of the scene-level edits and notes made within the Fictionary app. Once you’ve had the opportunity to review everything, they’ll schedule a video chat to discuss any questions you might have.
Every Fictionary Certified StoryCoach editor infuses their work with positivity, delivering an edit that offers objective, actionable advice delivered with encouragement, suggestions, and, above all, kindness. And remember, you, as the author, choose what you want to change and what you want to keep. You are the artist and you make the final decisions.
If you’re not sure you’re ready for an edit from a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach editor, or you simply want to try it for yourself, consider the following options:
- Sign up for a free trial of the Fictionary software
- Join the Fictionary community
- Attend the Fictionary Basics Q&A sessions
- Watch Fictionary videos on YouTube
- Sign up for a premium StoryTeller or StoryCoach account
- Attend Fictionary Live! classes—they are typically six weeks in duration and repeat regularly, covering topics like outlining/editing/revising at the scene/story/series level
- Sign up for the Fictionary Story Coach certification course and become your own Fictionary Certified StoryCoach editor
Every Fictionary certified editor has a passion for story and enjoys helping writers unlock the full potential of their stories. Take advantage of all the Fictionary community offers (membership is free!). You’ll gain knowledge and confidence in your writing, receive encouragement, and, who knows? Maybe you’ll want to become a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach editor one day.