In this writer education podcast from the Story Savvy Series, we break down how to use developmental editing advice, the print-and-mark edit method, and storytelling improvement tips to move forward when you're stuck self-editing. Learn how to define theme and message, rethink story structure and editing, and stay focused even when editing repetitive words gets frustrating.

Hosted by developmental editor Rebecca Hartwell [hartboundediting.com] and fantasy author Agnes Wolfe [agneswolfeauthor.com], this episode offers guidance for writers feeling overwhelmed or stalled in the self-editing process. Whether you're fighting decision paralysis or second-guessing structural choices, you'll learn how to make progress without striving for perfection.

In this Episode 

• Practical mindset shifts to move past resistance and perfectionism

• Fast placeholders for audience, genre, and theme so you keep momentum

• Scene-level fixes for sticky plot beats and arcs

• Lightweight final-pass cleanups (speaker clarity, typos, scene breaks)

• How long to try, when to pause, and when to return after outside feedback

Resources

• Hartbound Developmental Editing - https://hartboundediting.com/

• Agnes Wolfe - agneswolfeauthor.com

• Dragonheart Academy - Dragonheartacademy.com