The Editor Life: 5 Days Behind the Scenes with Alice
Your Next Draft
01 Apr 2025
46:54
Ever wondered what an editor actually does all day?
What it looks like to spend all day supporting writers in their stories?
Or what your editor’s doing in all that time when they’re not sharing their feedback with you?
If those questions pique your curiosity, you’re in luck. I’m pulling back the curtain to share a week in my life as a developmental editor and book coach.
You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what I do with writers and what I’m working on when I’m not on calls giving feedback.
Plus, I’ll share all the best editing strategies, tips, and tricks that emerge as I dig into stories with writers this week. You’ll hear:
- How I use what we know about a story to solve for what we don’t know
- Whether it’s okay to “tell,” not just “show,” a character’s emotions
- How your character’s emotional intelligence impacts how your reader feels
- A simple way to track the emotional tension in your story
- How I draw out every last drop of meaning and emotion to make scenes unputdownable
- What it means to be “done” editing your book
I love my job and can’t imagine spending my days any other way. I hope you enjoy this peek at what it really looks like to be an editor and book coach!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Want to work with me in Story Clarity and Story Refinery? Tell me about your story »
- Get a boost of editing joy in your inbox every Tuesday. Join the newsletter »
Further Listening:
- Ep. 32: How Spider-Man (And All Great Stories) Makes Us Laugh, Cry, and Feel the Feels
- Ep. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene
- A week in the life of another editor and book coach: A Week in the Life: 5 Days Behind the Scenes with Savannah
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »
Ever wondered what an editor actually does all day?
What it looks like to spend all day supporting writers in their stories?
Or what your editor’s doing in all that time when they’re not sharing their feedback with you?
If those questions pique your curiosity, you’re in luck. I’m pulling back the curtain to share a week in my life as a developmental editor and book coach.
You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what I do with writers and what I’m working on when I’m not on calls giving feedback.
Plus, I’ll share all the best editing strategies, tips, and tricks that emerge as I dig into stories with writers this week. You’ll hear:
- How I use what we know about a story to solve for what we don’t know
- Whether it’s okay to “tell,” not just “show,” a character’s emotions
- How your character’s emotional intelligence impacts how your reader feels
- A simple way to track the emotional tension in your story
- How I draw out every last drop of meaning and emotion to make scenes unputdownable
- What it means to be “done” editing your book
I love my job and can’t imagine spending my days any other way. I hope you enjoy this peek at what it really looks like to be an editor and book coach!
Links mentioned in the episode:
- Want to work with me in Story Clarity and Story Refinery? Tell me about your story »
- Get a boost of editing joy in your inbox every Tuesday. Join the newsletter »
Further Listening:
- Ep. 32: How Spider-Man (And All Great Stories) Makes Us Laugh, Cry, and Feel the Feels
- Ep. 42: The 6 Essential Elements of Every Novel, Act, and Scene
- A week in the life of another editor and book coach: A Week in the Life: 5 Days Behind the Scenes with Savannah
Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts
"I love Alice and Your Next Draft." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more writers through the mess—and joy—of the editing process. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap the stars to rate, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »