Genetta Adair

In honor of getting 10K followers on here (!), here are the 10 things I wish every first-time author knew — from my 10+ years of book editing: 1️⃣ How you end your chapters matters more than you think. Leave something unfinished so that the reader no choice but to continue into the next (and the next, and the next). Our brains are hardwired to seek resolution. 2️⃣ Your protagonist needs a strong objective that drives them (and the plot) forward. If you don't know it yet, answer: What do they want, above all else? 3️⃣ Your inciting incident should generally occur no later than 10-15% of the way through the novel. Figure out what it is, then audit its location. If there's any room to bring it closer to the beginning, do it. 4️⃣ Relatedly, make sure you give the reader something to invest in from the very beginning. Don't say "well, it gets good 100 pages in." Make it good NOW. Or your reader may never get there. 5️⃣ It doesn't matter how pretty your sentences are if they aren't telling a compelling story. The best writers balance strong craft + incredible storytelling. Practice and learn both skillsets. 6️⃣ Nothing will teach you about craft and story like reading. Make time for it. 7️⃣ POV is everything. It dictates how the reader experiences the story and which characters they connect with. Make sure yours is intentional and consistent. 8️⃣ You probably aren't getting inside your POV characters' heads enough. We read fiction to inhabit someone else's mind. It's what makes this storytelling format different from a show or a play. Write from the INSIDE out. 9️⃣ Hitting a block? It's perfectly OK to take a step back from your manuscript when you need a break. In fact, sometimes it's exactly what your brain needs to return to the story refreshed. 🔟 Feedback is critical, but it's only as good as the person providing it, so be careful with who you ask. And then, remember: this is YOUR story and YOUR name on the cover. You don't have to agree with (or listen to) every suggestion. Thank you to everyone who has followed, subscribed, or watched a YouTube video of mine. I hope your stories are stronger for it. 💪❤️