How’s your geography? Making sure there’s consistency in distance, direction and location is an important part of editing.

🗺️ While editing a fantasy novella, I’ve been scribbling down a bit of a map.

🛣️ I’ve been doing this because I want to make sure this left turn and that right turn – and this hill and that single-track road – are consistent across the manuscript. If it’s out of the market then north to the town square in one chapter, I want to check it isn’t out of the market and east to the town square in another.

🐺 The author does not routinely create maps to go with his stories. Or not at this stage, anyway. Perhaps he will at a later date. (Fantasy readers do love a map!)

✏️ But I asked if he’d mind scribbling a quick plan for me.

💡 Turned out to be a really useful exercise.

And, phew, our maps match!

😅 So that’s reassuring for the author too. 

👀 He now knows that if a reader takes it upon themselves to sketch a map of what they’re reading, what’s in his head matches what they’re picturing. 

💬 Insert marketing message here! 😆🤣

You know what I’m suggesting here. 

Your manuscript + my attention to detail = winning!

📩 Connect with me if you want this for your novel.