The First Chapter Rubric is a way to evaluate the first chapter of your novel and is based on the Story Rubric created by J. Thorn. You can try it for yourself by downloading it from here. Want my input? Sign up for the First Chapter Analysis service above.

The Story Rubric is simply a means of evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of a manuscript including: Genre, Character, Worldbuilding, Wants & Needs, Showing vs. Telling, Passive Voice, Theme, and The Three Cs.

The Story Rubric, created by J. Thorn, is used by all Three Story Method Certified Editors to streamline the editing and revision process for short and long form fiction.

The Story Diagnostic is the featured service at Writing Pursuits. It is based on the Three Story Method, created by J. Thorn, and only offered by Three Story Method Certified Editors. Get an unbiased assessment of your manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses through a comprehensive Story Rubric.

The assessment covers:

Character (characterization, dialogue, protagonist’s wants and needs, character arc)
Genre (expectations, setting/world building)
Style (emotional tone, theme, pacing)
Mechanics (showing vs. telling, passive voice, other issues)
Plot
Conflict
Choice
Consequence

No edits are made directly to your document.

The Story Diagnostic service includes:

Thoughtful read through of entire manuscript
Completed Story Rubric (see Services)
Unlimited follow-up email communication
Recorded 60-minute Zoom or Google Meet call
Free digital download of THREE STORY METHOD
Guaranteed completion in 60 days or less

A substantive edit tackles the big issues to help you avoid spending money on a line edit before your story is ready. No edits are made directly to your document, but comments may be inserted to aid communication.

The editor will act as a consultant on your project’s premise, content, and organization, including the following topics: character, plot, setting, point of view, theme, and style.

Entire scenes and chapters may need to be rearranged, rewritten, or eliminated. This step is critical to the future success of your novel. If you have experienced critique partners, then you may have garnered most of the benefits of a substantive edit. If there’s any doubt about the end result, don’t just hope for the best. Devote the necessary funds to this process.

Unless otherwise stated, my hourly rate is $50 USD.

Line edits are available on a case-by-case basis. Many manuscripts are not ready for a line edit; my goal is to save clients from spending money on this service before the foundational work is done. No incomplete manuscripts will be accepted.

Unfortunately, I do not. I have worked successfully with writers from the US, the UK, and Canada.

All work is invoiced through PayPal in US Dollars. PayPal processes many forms of payment. For most projects, half of the estimate is due before work begins.