Back by Popular Demand: Words on the Page with editor Joel Brigham

Joel Brigham runs Brigham Editorial (developmental edits, manuscript critiques, query help), teaches high school English in Illinois, and is an editor for RevPit — a community that gives away free developmental edits each spring.

REVPIT

•    Free developmental editing contest — editors (not authors) mentor selected writers through full drafts

•    Applications open April, winners announced early May; ~14–15 editors participate

•    Year-round mini-event: 10 Queries — public feedback on first 5 pages + query letters

THE FIRST DRAFT

•    One goal: words on the page. Momentum beats perfection — always

•    Psychology backs this up: Goal Gradient Effect, Zeigarnik Effect, and Commitment Principle all support just keeping going

•    Comparing your messy first draft to your last polished book is a trap — every published book started the same way

5 DRAFTING HINDRANCES

•    Starting slow — avoid waking-up scenes, mirror descriptions, dream openers. Try dropping into the middle of something (*in medias res*)

•    Perfectionism — editing as you go wastes time on scenes that may not survive. Grammar is the last step

•    Weak character foundation — know their goal, fear, flaw, and wound as early as possible

•    No tension — even “everyday life” chapters before the inciting incident need friction, stakes, or a ticking clock

•    Info dumping — no backstory or flashbacks in chapters 1–2. Backstory is a breadcrumb, not a full loaf

FOR DISCOVERY / PANTSER WRITERS

•    Check in every 15–20k words — assess without forcing rigid plot beats

•    By 20k: your character should have a clear want and be on the book’s core journey

•    Made a change mid-draft? Drop a note and keep writing forward as if it’s always been that way — don’t stop to rewrite

LINKS

Joel’s services: brighameditorial.com  •  RevPit: reviseresub.com  •  Show notes: writerswithwrinkles.net