Lots of writers tell me they’ve been struggling to understand how to revise their book – or wondering if they should even bother.
They’ve heard horror stories about editors who take their work and feed it into AI, not only feeding the robot overlords, but delivering robot notes or overwrites.
Plus the AI witch hunts, and the enormous amount of AI slop in the marketplace is just all so disheartening.
How is a human writer, who has poured their heart and soul and thousands of gallons of coffee into their manuscript, supposed to break through the robot noise?
Personally? I’ve had it up to here with the robots.
I’m fighting back by empowering writers with all the skills they need to write complex, deeply layered, extraordinary human stories.
I’m fighting back by making edits fun and tasty again.
I’m fighting back in all the ways AI COULD NEVER.
That’s why I built Dessert First! Developmental Edits
Dessert First! leverages all the skills I’ve learned over my own career as a writer, publishing stories and essays, working as a screenwriter – even working in politics.
Along the way, I learned strategies to fill the well, to focus my throughlines, and to thoughtfully make changes page by page, scene by scene, paragraph by paragraph, talking point by talking point, to create stronger stories.
And I built some pretty cool tech tools, too.
Dessert First! packages all my experiences, and that cool tech, into a program that combines traditional editing – yes, you still get margin notes and an edit letter – plus coaching, and handy sales tools for when your book is done.
My writers come out of the process empowered, inspired, and with the skills they need not only to revise this project, but to make changes on the next project, and the next one, too.
Dessert First! centers writers every step of the way
Remember how I said I learned a lot as a working screenwriter?
One of the things I learned is how awful it feels to sit powerless while a “creative exec” mangles your story into mush.
That’s one reason I’m so careful to always follow the writer’s lead, and why my process is as focused on taking care of my writers, as it is on taking care of their books.
Edits? Fun? Tasty? Prove it!
In the Dessert First! process, we put the fun stuff first.
FILLING THE WELL
My writers start by filling the well. I’ll ask you to take the time your manuscript is in my hands to work on other projects, dive into your TBR piles, go to movies and museums, engage with the world, eat yummy things, drink yummy things …
You get the picture. And yes, we actually make a plan for all of that.
Then, while you’re out having a good time, I’ll read your book several times. I do my first read completely blind, to get a holistic sense of your project. Then I’ll read it again, with your Quasi Query in mind.
THE QUASI QUERY
The Quasi Query is a pitch letter you’ll draft to an imaginary agent or publisher, describing the book in its most perfect form. My writers love this – what writer hasn’t imagined writing their query letter? Your Quasi Query will be our north star as I make notes on your manuscript, and as you make your changes later.
YOUR EDIT BINDER AND THE REVISIONS WRANGLER
My notes include margin comments, and a robust edit binder. The contents of that binder will center what’s really working, so you have that tasty treat to return to, whenever you need it. Then I’ll address structure issues, character issues, world building, and scene by scene analysis. In addition, you will get my Revisions Wrangler tool, all filled out with your particulars and ready for you to use as you plan your next steps. Plus I’ll give you notes on your Quasi Query, too.
COACHING
Throughout the process, you’ll get coaching via email, including weekly check-ins and updates. At the end of the process, we’ll share a Power Hour, so you can ask questions and I can help you put together an actionable plan for finishing your book, too.
I am deeply invested in helping you finish your book! My mission in life is to bury the robots in beautiful, complicated, deeply-felt human work.
Speaking of happy humans
Don’t take it from me. I started working with Bob, a playwright, when I was just starting to develop this process. Go ahead and ask him if we had a good time!
“Sarah is an extremely careful reader who worked with what was already on the page rather than trying to impose her own vision onto it. She took the time to understand … the dramatic structure of the piece, then made thoughtful suggestions that strengthened, heightened and more fully developed the dramatic narrative while still staying true to the play I was trying to write. It was exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for and has been invaluable as I continue moving forward with revisions.”
Writers will lead the revolution
It’s already in the news, how angry people are about AI books, AI in schools, AI data centers. I believe the tide will turn – and there will be a bigger demand for human stories than ever before.
Human stories are always the answer, and they are the revolution.
Dessert First! is my contribution to that fight.
Help fight the robots by writing a great piece of human work. Book a Power Hour to learn more about Dessert First! Developmental Editing.
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