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Manuscript Magic
Getting Started
REQUIRED VIEWING: Understanding How Manuscript Magic Works (3:04)
Bonnie Johnston on the Three Levels of Manuscript Magic -- Story, Scene and Sentence (10:54)
Switching from the Writer Mindset to the Editor Mindset (14:01)
Do Your First Read-Through and Create Your Manuscript Magic Outline (11:28)
Feeling Overwhelmed? Why Manuscript Magic is Your New Best Friend (8:45)
Identifying and Diagnosing Story-Level Problems
How to Approach the Story-Level Editing Process (10:29)
Your Manuscript's Story-Level Checkup
Identifying Story-Level Fixes for Your Manuscript
Story-Level Fixes
Solution 1: Fix for Plot Digressions (5:34)
Solution 2: Fix for Slow Story Openings (11:14)
Solution 3: Fix for Weak Story Conflicts (4:51)
Solution 4: Fix for Plot Holes (10:48)
Solution 5: Fix for Passive Characters (8:09)
Solution 6: Fix for Broken Character Arcs (6:28)
Solution 7: Fix for Scenes Without Purpose (4:44)
Solution 8: Fix for Unnecessary Characters (2:24)
Solution 9: Fix for Muddy Motifs, Symbolism, and Theme (8:17)
Solution 10: Fix for Missing Foreshadowing (3:21)
Solution 11: Fix for Predictable Plots (5:52)
Solution 12: Fix for Weak Story Endings (10:11)
How to Execute Your Story-Level Edits
Where Do You Go From Here? (1:53)
Identifying and Diagnosing Scene-Level Problems
How to Approach the Scene-Level Editing Process (10:09)
Your Manuscript's Scene-Level Checkup
Identifying Scene-Level Fixes for Your Manuscript
Bonus Video: What is a Scene? (6:38)
Scene-Level Fixes Part 1: Structure
Solution 13: Fix for Misplaced Scene Boundaries (7:40)
Solution 14: Fix for Weak or Slow Scene Openings (11:03)
Solution 15: Fix for Sagging Scene Middles (8:53)
Solution 16: Fix for Climaxes That Fizzle (2:22)
Solution 17: Fix for Weak Scene Endings (8:45)
Scene-Level Fixes Part 2: Motif, Theme and Symbolism
Solution 18: Fix for Unclear Motifs and Symbolism (2:41)
Solution 19: Fix for a Weak or Heavy-Handed Theme (1:57)
Scene-Level Fixes Part 3: Characterization
Solution 20: Fix for Unclear Goals and Motivations (3:47)
Solution 21: Fix for Generic Characters (11:21)
Solution 22: Fix for Unlikeable or Unsympathetic Characters (9:51)
Solution 23: Fix for Missing Character Reactions (12:55)
Solution 24: Fix for Weak Internal Conflict (6:25)
Solution 25: Fix for Shallow, One-Dimensional Characters (5:30)
Scene-Level Fixes Part 4: Dialogue
Solution 26: Fix for Dialogue That Goes Nowhere (6:56)
Solution 27: Fix for On-the-Nose Dialogue (9:07)
Solution 28: Fix for Common Dialogue Mistakes (16:39)
Solution 29: Fix for Dialogue Tag Misuse (11:07)
Scene-Level Fixes Part 5: Show, Don't Tell
Solution 30: Fix for Too Much Telling (19:29)
Solution 31: Fix for Infodumps and Heavy-Handed Exposition (15:08)
Solution 32: Fix for Excessive Backstory (26:22)
Scene-Level Fixes Part 6: Description & Setting Problems
Solution 33: Fix for Characters That Are Not Shaped by Their Setting (3:10)
Solution 34: Fix for Characters That Don't Interact with the Setting (7:50)
Solution 35: Fix for Static Descriptions (3:46)
Solution 36: Fix for Missing Sensory Details (4:22)
Scene-Level Fixes Part 7: Point of View
Solution 37: Fix for Inconsistent Point of View (9:38)
Solution 38: Fix for Author Intrusion (6:12)
Scene-Level Fixes Part 8: Flow
Solution 39: Fix for Choppy, Jumbled or Rough Passages (18:05)
Solution 40: Fix for Missed Opportunities for Drama and Humor (8:44)
How to Execute Your Scene-Level Edits
Where Do You Go From Here? (5:53)
Identifying and Diagnosing Sentence-Level Problems
How to Approach the Sentence-Level Edits (5:28)
Your Manuscript's Sentence-Level Checkup
Identifying Sentence-Level Fixes for Your Manuscript
Sentence-Level Fixes
Solution 41: Fix for Passive Voice (2:40)
Solution 42: Fix for Overuse of All Forms of "To Be" (2:25)
Solution 43: Fix for Vague Nouns (1:29)
Solution 44: Fix for Weak Verbs (1:22)
Solution 45: Fix for Confusing Pronouns (3:22)
Solution 46: Fix for Redundancies (4:41)
Solution 47: Fix for Adverbs (2:26)
Solution 48: Fix for Extra Adjectives (2:09)
Solution 49: Fix for Weasel Words (2:19)
Solution 50: Fix for Cliches (2:41)
Solution 51: Fix for Repetitive Sentences (7:08)
Final Step for All Edits
Solution 52: Fix for Writing that Doesn't Sing (3:34)
Wrap-Up
Integrating These Techniques Into Your Process (12:14)
Parting Thoughts from Laura (1:35)
If You Want Professional Input -- Recommended Editorial Services
Bonus Training
"Ask Me Anything" Webinar with Bonnie and Laura, July 2018 (89:24)
"Ask Me Anything" Webinar with Bonnie and Laura, February 2019 (72:45)
"Ask Me Anything" Webinar with Bonnie and Laura, February 2020 (90:05)
"Ask Me Anything" Webinar with Bonnie and Laura, July 2022 (65:28)
Solution 42: Fix for Overuse of All Forms of "To Be"
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