Darling Axe Editing
@darlingaxe.com
Novel development & editing services. Our editors are industry experts and award-winning writers. Take your manuscript to the next level.
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Story Skeleton—Magpie Murders
In a genre as established as mystery, it’s not easy to do something new.
darlingaxe.com
Story Skeleton—Magpie Murders
In a genre as established as mystery, it’s not easy to do something new.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/m...
#storystructure #writingcommunity #booksky
In a genre as established as mystery, it’s not easy to do something new.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/m...
#storystructure #writingcommunity #booksky
Story Skeleton—Magpie Murders
In a genre as established as mystery, it’s not easy to do something new.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/m...
#storystructure #writingcommunity #booksky
In a genre as established as mystery, it’s not easy to do something new.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/m...
#storystructure #writingcommunity #booksky
Story Skeleton—Magpie Murders
In a genre as established as mystery, it’s not easy to do something new.
darlingaxe.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Story Skeleton—Magpie Murders
In a genre as established as mystery, it’s not easy to do something new.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/m...
#storystructure #writingcommunity #booksky
In a genre as established as mystery, it’s not easy to do something new.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/m...
#storystructure #writingcommunity #booksky
Reposted by Darling Axe Editing
The Long Game: Writing a Mystery Series
While most agents and publishers want a first book to stand alone, it’s a bonus if your mystery novel (or any novel) has series potential.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/m...
#writingcommunity #writerslife #booksky
While most agents and publishers want a first book to stand alone, it’s a bonus if your mystery novel (or any novel) has series potential.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/m...
#writingcommunity #writerslife #booksky
The Long Game: Writing a Mystery Series
While most agents and publishers want a first book to stand alone, it’s a bonus if your mystery novel (or any novel) has series potential.
darlingaxe.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:51 PM
The Long Game: Writing a Mystery Series
While most agents and publishers want a first book to stand alone, it’s a bonus if your mystery novel (or any novel) has series potential.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/m...
#writingcommunity #writerslife #booksky
While most agents and publishers want a first book to stand alone, it’s a bonus if your mystery novel (or any novel) has series potential.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/m...
#writingcommunity #writerslife #booksky
Show don't tell?!?
This craft maxim is a bit of a contradiction, and yet it's still super important. Let's break it down 👇
#writingcommunity
This craft maxim is a bit of a contradiction, and yet it's still super important. Let's break it down 👇
#writingcommunity
November 27, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Show don't tell?!?
This craft maxim is a bit of a contradiction, and yet it's still super important. Let's break it down 👇
#writingcommunity
This craft maxim is a bit of a contradiction, and yet it's still super important. Let's break it down 👇
#writingcommunity
Reposted by Darling Axe Editing
Here's the latest from the designer!
We're going to ask to try a different colour scheme. I think the blue doesn't stand out that well against the yellow. But otherwise we're pretty happy with it.
Thoughts??
We're going to ask to try a different colour scheme. I think the blue doesn't stand out that well against the yellow. But otherwise we're pretty happy with it.
Thoughts??
November 27, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Here's the latest from the designer!
We're going to ask to try a different colour scheme. I think the blue doesn't stand out that well against the yellow. But otherwise we're pretty happy with it.
Thoughts??
We're going to ask to try a different colour scheme. I think the blue doesn't stand out that well against the yellow. But otherwise we're pretty happy with it.
Thoughts??
Reposted by Darling Axe Editing
Quick, clear breakdown. Love this type of content.
I think playing with plot structure can be very beneficial, if done well!
I think playing with plot structure can be very beneficial, if done well!
Not all novels begin with an inciting incident!
Story Structure in The Great Gatsby, part 4 of 4 😁✌️
Story Structure in The Great Gatsby, part 4 of 4 😁✌️
November 25, 2025 at 5:18 AM
Quick, clear breakdown. Love this type of content.
I think playing with plot structure can be very beneficial, if done well!
I think playing with plot structure can be very beneficial, if done well!
Awkwardness: The Novelist's Secret Weapon
In our personal lives, we expend a lot of energy trying to avoid awkward situations. In fiction, we should embrace them.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/a...
#writingcommunity
In our personal lives, we expend a lot of energy trying to avoid awkward situations. In fiction, we should embrace them.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/a...
#writingcommunity
Awkwardness: The Novelist's Secret Weapon
In our personal lives, we expend a lot of energy trying to avoid awkward situations. In fiction, we should embrace them.
darlingaxe.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Awkwardness: The Novelist's Secret Weapon
In our personal lives, we expend a lot of energy trying to avoid awkward situations. In fiction, we should embrace them.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/a...
#writingcommunity
In our personal lives, we expend a lot of energy trying to avoid awkward situations. In fiction, we should embrace them.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/a...
#writingcommunity
"Lukewarm" actually has nothing to do with a guy named Luke. It comes from Middle English "lewk" (tepid) + "warm." It's like saying "warm-warm" 😄
#etymology
#etymology
November 25, 2025 at 8:47 AM
"Lukewarm" actually has nothing to do with a guy named Luke. It comes from Middle English "lewk" (tepid) + "warm." It's like saying "warm-warm" 😄
#etymology
#etymology
Not all novels begin with an inciting incident!
Story Structure in The Great Gatsby, part 4 of 4 😁✌️
Story Structure in The Great Gatsby, part 4 of 4 😁✌️
November 25, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Not all novels begin with an inciting incident!
Story Structure in The Great Gatsby, part 4 of 4 😁✌️
Story Structure in The Great Gatsby, part 4 of 4 😁✌️
Book Broker — An interview with Kate McKean
"It is and isn't a numbers game, but moreover it's a connection game. You just want to find the agent who is passionate about your work."
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/b...
#amquerying #mswl
"It is and isn't a numbers game, but moreover it's a connection game. You just want to find the agent who is passionate about your work."
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/b...
#amquerying #mswl
Book Broker – an interview with Kate McKean
It is and isn't a numbers game, but moreover it's a connection game. You just want to find the agent who is passionate about your work. You can't do that unless you query.
darlingaxe.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Book Broker — An interview with Kate McKean
"It is and isn't a numbers game, but moreover it's a connection game. You just want to find the agent who is passionate about your work."
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/b...
#amquerying #mswl
"It is and isn't a numbers game, but moreover it's a connection game. You just want to find the agent who is passionate about your work."
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/b...
#amquerying #mswl
“Gossip” began as Old English godsibb for a godparent or god-relative. The meaning came to represent the idle talk of family members.
#etymology
#etymology
November 23, 2025 at 3:07 PM
“Gossip” began as Old English godsibb for a godparent or god-relative. The meaning came to represent the idle talk of family members.
#etymology
#etymology
Book Broker—an interview with Patricia Nelson
"The first thing I look for is premise: does this feel like a story that hasn't been told before, or that hasn't been told in this specific way?"
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/b...
#amquerying #mswl
"The first thing I look for is premise: does this feel like a story that hasn't been told before, or that hasn't been told in this specific way?"
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/b...
#amquerying #mswl
Book Broker – an interview with Patricia Nelson
If I get to page fifty and there still hasn't been an inciting incident, or the main character is being pushed along by the events of the plot rather than making choices that drive the action, the…
darlingaxe.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Book Broker—an interview with Patricia Nelson
"The first thing I look for is premise: does this feel like a story that hasn't been told before, or that hasn't been told in this specific way?"
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/b...
#amquerying #mswl
"The first thing I look for is premise: does this feel like a story that hasn't been told before, or that hasn't been told in this specific way?"
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/b...
#amquerying #mswl
Book Broker — an interview with Lindsay Edgecombe
"Publishing must become more diverse, both in terms of what we publish, but also in those of us working in the industry."
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/b...
#amquerying #mswl
"Publishing must become more diverse, both in terms of what we publish, but also in those of us working in the industry."
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/b...
#amquerying #mswl
Book Broker – an interview with Lindsay Edgecombe
Publishing must become more diverse, both in terms of what we publish, but also in terms of those of us working in the industry.
darlingaxe.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Book Broker — an interview with Lindsay Edgecombe
"Publishing must become more diverse, both in terms of what we publish, but also in those of us working in the industry."
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/b...
#amquerying #mswl
"Publishing must become more diverse, both in terms of what we publish, but also in those of us working in the industry."
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/b...
#amquerying #mswl
Should Editors Dissuade Their Clients from Traditional Publishing If It Seems Unrealistic?
"To me, an unpublishable manuscript is simply not publishable yet."
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/t...
#writingcommunity
"To me, an unpublishable manuscript is simply not publishable yet."
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/t...
#writingcommunity
Should Editors Dissuade Their Clients from Traditional Publishing If It Seems Unrealistic?
To me, an unpublishable manuscript is simply not publishable yet.
darlingaxe.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Should Editors Dissuade Their Clients from Traditional Publishing If It Seems Unrealistic?
"To me, an unpublishable manuscript is simply not publishable yet."
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/t...
#writingcommunity
"To me, an unpublishable manuscript is simply not publishable yet."
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/t...
#writingcommunity
Who is your favorite antagonist from a classic novel?
November 21, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Who is your favorite antagonist from a classic novel?
Story Skeleton: The Scarlet Letter
"In real life, people have many internal conflicts, which means that a protagonist should too."
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/t...
#writingcommunity
"In real life, people have many internal conflicts, which means that a protagonist should too."
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/t...
#writingcommunity
Story Skeleton—The Scarlet Letter
In real life, people have many internal conflicts, which means that a protagonist should too. Everything bouncing around inside a character’s head contributes to their complexity and, therefore,…
darlingaxe.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Story Skeleton: The Scarlet Letter
"In real life, people have many internal conflicts, which means that a protagonist should too."
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/t...
#writingcommunity
"In real life, people have many internal conflicts, which means that a protagonist should too."
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/t...
#writingcommunity
November 20, 2025 at 8:47 AM
What is a theme you keep returning to?
November 19, 2025 at 4:18 PM
What is a theme you keep returning to?
How (and Why) to Structure Your Memoir Like a Bestselling Novel
An engaging memoir, while rooted in reality, employs the same narrative devices that make novels compelling.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/m...
#writingcommunity
An engaging memoir, while rooted in reality, employs the same narrative devices that make novels compelling.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/m...
#writingcommunity
How (and Why) to Structure Your Memoir Like a Bestselling Novel
An engaging memoir, while rooted in reality, employs the same narrative devices that make novels compelling.
darlingaxe.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:47 AM
How (and Why) to Structure Your Memoir Like a Bestselling Novel
An engaging memoir, while rooted in reality, employs the same narrative devices that make novels compelling.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/m...
#writingcommunity
An engaging memoir, while rooted in reality, employs the same narrative devices that make novels compelling.
darlingaxe.com/blogs/news/m...
#writingcommunity
November 18, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Reposted by Darling Axe Editing
Working through my edits, courtesy of the @darlingaxe.com team )
Kara and Davy, my comma lodestars in a sea of doubt.
Kara and Davy, my comma lodestars in a sea of doubt.
November 17, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Working through my edits, courtesy of the @darlingaxe.com team )
Kara and Davy, my comma lodestars in a sea of doubt.
Kara and Davy, my comma lodestars in a sea of doubt.
November 17, 2025 at 5:19 PM
A writing professor once told me,"there is nothing easy or cheap about being clear."
#writingcommunity #booksky
#writingcommunity #booksky
November 16, 2025 at 4:39 PM
A writing professor once told me,"there is nothing easy or cheap about being clear."
#writingcommunity #booksky
#writingcommunity #booksky
Coincidences can work well at the inciting incident or if they make things worse for your protagonist, but otherwise they tend to feel cheap and mechanical.
#creativewriting
#writingtips
#writingcommunity
#writingadvice
#creativewriting
#writingtips
#writingcommunity
#writingadvice
November 15, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Coincidences can work well at the inciting incident or if they make things worse for your protagonist, but otherwise they tend to feel cheap and mechanical.
#creativewriting
#writingtips
#writingcommunity
#writingadvice
#creativewriting
#writingtips
#writingcommunity
#writingadvice
Explanation vs dramatization is at the heart of the famous (infamous?) craft advice: "show, don't tell."
#amwriting #writerslife
#amwriting #writerslife
November 14, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Explanation vs dramatization is at the heart of the famous (infamous?) craft advice: "show, don't tell."
#amwriting #writerslife
#amwriting #writerslife
November 13, 2025 at 3:11 PM