Below is a set of writing insights from editor Tom Bromley based on four viewer-submitted manuscripts.
If you’re looking for more personalized guidance and a better chance of getting your own work critiqued, Tom offers this style of live editing feedback as part of his premium How to Write a Novel course – you can sign up here.
Open with tension and targeted imagery
Time code: (07:10 – 19:46)
The insights in this section are from The Time Traveler’s Playlist by David Homick, a fantasy manuscript.
- Start with a crucial turning point. Launching your narrative at a significant emotional or physical conflict immediately engages readers.
- Limit the number of metaphors. A single, resonant image is more powerful than multiple competing ones.
- Place your best imagery where it lingers. Ending a paragraph with a vivid description can create a lasting impression.
- Weave backstory gradually. Establish the immediate conflict before introducing how it came about.
- Vary sentence length. A short sentence after a string of longer ones has extra impact, lending emotional punch.
- Apply the “rule of three.” Repeating a phrase or idea twice sets it up; the third time can deliver a twist or heightened emotion.
- Keep practicing. Consistent writing and careful revision help you refine these techniques for more compelling openings.
Use urgency and sensory detail for world-building
Time code: (21:44 – 32:55)
The insights in this section are from To Love a Dragon by Jane Armor, a fantasy manuscript.
- Introduce danger right away. A high-stakes predicament draws readers into the character’s struggle and world.
- Embed exposition in forward motion. Slip necessary information into the character’s ongoing dilemma to avoid info-dumps.
- Engage every sense. Sounds, smells, and tactile elements heighten immersion, particularly when tension is high.
- Highlight key moments with short paragraphs. A lone sentence can underscore a pivotal event or realization.
- Observe pacing techniques. Notice how authors alternate action, description, and internal thoughts to sustain urgency.
- Revisit and refine. Frequent drafting sessions let you reassess how well each detail serves both the plot and the setting.
- Balance scope and immediacy. Even epic elements should intensify the protagonist’s immediate crisis, not overshadow it.
Convey grief through subtle everyday details
Time code: (34:47 – 48:07)
The insights in this section are from Broken Dreams and Patchwork Things by Hayley Shucker, a literary manuscript.
- Focus on the present moment. Reveal emotions through small, immediate actions rather than general statements.
- Stay consistent. If a character is past denial, show acceptance in behavior instead of mixing contradictory signals.
- Check logic in minor details. Even seemingly small claims should align with the story’s broader context.
- End on a powerful note. Conclude paragraphs or sentences with words that resonate, leaving a vivid mental echo.
- Seek outside feedback. Another perspective can catch tonal slips or contradictions that might go unnoticed.
- Write in short, frequent bursts. Regular sessions make it easier to spot subtle inconsistencies or missed emotional cues.
- Craft tight paragraphs. Concise sections accentuate emotional weight without drifting into repetition.
Heighten suspense through sound and delayed reveals
Time code: (50:32 – 1:02:33)
The insights in this section are from Inkwell by Denis Baldwin, a crime thriller manuscript.
- Begin with atmosphere. Use audible cues or environmental tension to grip the reader before naming key characters.
- Hold back immediate details. A gradual reveal of identities or motives can sharpen curiosity and anticipation.
- Incorporate setting hints sparingly. A few period or location markers enhance authenticity without lengthy exposition.
- Differentiate secondary characters. Vary each one’s demeanor or habits so they feel distinct and memorable.
- Slow the pacing at crucial points. Let every glance or line of dialogue land when stakes escalate, intensifying the mood.
- Use lean dialogue tags. Brief tags or small observations keep the focus on suspense rather than explanatory text.
- Study pacing in similar genres. By noting how seasoned authors space out high-pressure scenes, you learn to build and sustain tension.
