Free webinar with editor and author Deborah Halverson

July 27, 2011
Katie Davis, moderator

Editor and now YA fiction writer Deborah Halverson was the guest for this webinar.

Katie: What do editors mean when they say a manuscript is flat? Deborah: A flat manuscript means the story is predictable. There are no surprises and the characters lack depth.

Deborah offered the following tips to create a story that is well crafted.


Rich subtext is needed in the story; a layering to set-up readers for a surprise.

Ditch a prolonged story set-up. Get to the main story quickly.

Engage the five senses. A manuscript must have dynamic revealing moments. It is important that characters battle elements in their growth. Readers also need to experience this growth.

Enrich the characterization:

Readers need to be shown how the characters handle their problems.
The flawed character struggles in the story to overcome obstacles and is better in the end.
The protagonist's goal is worth the time of the story.

Deborah Halverson's blog: http://www.deborahhalverson.com/blog/

Katie Davis' blog: http://katiedavis.com/blog/welcome/