Measuring What Really Matters

It can be far too easy to dismiss, or miss entirely, our progress when editing ...

FROM MY DESK 📖

A recent conversation with a client turned to something I think every novelist struggles with eventually. 

How do you stay motivated when editing doesn't feel like progress?

Drafting gives us obvious milestones. The word count climbs, chapters appear, and we can see our story growing. Editing isn't like that. 

Sometimes you spend an entire session thinking through a character's motivation or solving a pacing issue, only to close your manuscript feeling as though you've achieved very little. 

As we talked, we realised the problem wasn't our motivation. It was how we were measuring progress.

Instead of expecting editing to look like drafting, we started sharing the little things that help us keep moving forwards:

• Reading with intention, not just for enjoyment. To learn from writers who excel in the areas we're trying to improve. 
• Switching between different creative tasks when our brains need a change of pace, whether that's researching, brainstorming, or exploring the world beyond the manuscript
• Tracking progress in ways that don't rely on word count alone. Sometimes that means recording time spent editing (hours and minutes). Other times, it's as timple as ticking off one small task from a revision list.
  

None of these make editing quicker. But they do make progress easier to see. 

Editing has a habit of hiding its victories. A breakthrough in a character arc, a scene that finally clicks, or a problem you've quietly untangled won't always show up in your word count but they will make your story stronger.

So if your edits feel invisible right now, remember this:

Not all progress can be counted. Sometimes, the most important changes happen long before they appear on the page. 

EDITING TIP OF THE DAY ✍️

I was in a discovery call last week when I was asked: why do plot holes hide from me? 

The answer is simple: your brain doesn't read your manuscript the same way a reader does. It reads from memory. 

Because you already know your characters, your world, and every missing connection, your mind quietly fills in the gaps without you even noticing. To you, everything makes perfect sense. 

That's why plot holes can feel invisible ... at least until distance, beta readers, or an editor (like me) help you see the story with fresh eyes.

POSITIVE MINDSET PICK UP ✨

Your nervous system needs safety before it can create. 

Burnout isn't a failure of discipline. It's often a signal of threat or overload. Creativity thrives when the brain feels safe. 

Shift your mindset to: 'what would make this feel 10% less stressful right now?' 

If you remember just one thing from today's post, let it be this: editing progress may feel invisible, but invisible doesn't mean insignificant.

Did you find this helpful? Let me know in the comments - I'd love to hear from you!

Every story starts with a single spark, and every writer gets stuck from time to time. Keep showing up. Keep experimenting. Keep telling the stories only you can tell.

Until next time, may your stories grow wild, your edits be kind, and your brambles always lead to somewhere worth exploring 🌿