Why subscribe?
“The Breakdown” is a free newsletter, dedicated to helping you improve your writing craft as well as illuminating, analyzing, and understanding the new spaces created by the intersection of publishing and entertainment. Here, we’ll take an in-depth look at the changing nature of the entertainment industry — more precisely, publishing, TV & Film, and the intersection of the two.
For Paying Subscribers - In addition to the free articles, you’ll receive the opportunity to receive either a Query Breakdown or a First Five-Pages Critique.
These Breakdowns & Query Critiques give subscribers who want more personalized insight the opportunity to receive thoughtful feedback on their work. Once a month, I’ll pick one Premium Supporter’s query or the first five pages of their manuscript and do a full critique that we can all discuss and learn from. It’s a process that will give you important insight into to your work, and for the other Premium Supporters, an opportunity to learn from the endeavor.
Who are you and why should we care?
Well, I worked in the entertainment industry for over ten years at places such as the talent agency ICM (in the TV Writers department) and HBO (in Film Development). Now, I’m an award-winning, paid author, writing serialized fiction on the social writing site and digital publishing platform, Wattpad. See more of my work here.
I’m also the author of the bestselling prompt book, “What Would Your Character Do?” WWYCD offers over 500 user-tested prompts that are specifically designed to help get you unstuck from any scene, in any work.
I also do story evaluations, developmental and copy editing, and IP consulting.
Want to know more about my editing background?
In addition to critiquing for and coaching four traditionally published authors, I’ve worked in development at HBO and in the TV Writers department at ICM. I also consulted for the serialized writing platform I currently write on, Wattpad, analyzing over 250 stories from their top-tier writers to help identify their strengths and weaknesses. I ran a critiquing contest called, The Standouts for two years and have helped a countless number of my fellow Wattpad writers. Check out the props from contestants, my overall pitch assessments, and lessons learned from the contest here.
Or, you can listen to these fine folks:
Paula, thank you so much!
Honestly, being picked for this is a lifesaver. Since I've finished, I kept feeling like something was missing in this piece. I knew that something was holding me back from feeling that it was 'complete' and now I know exactly what it is, and exactly what to focus on. This feedback was amazing. Again, thank you.
- Teace Findlay, Writer’s Workshop #1 participant
Wow! Thank you Paula! I really appreciate the valuable feedback that you’ve provided on The Misfit Architects! And thanks for the great tips on two series that I’ve totally missed out on! While it can always be difficult to come face to face with whatever is lacking in one’s writing, your feedback is so well written (and light-hearted) that I feel empowered to rework the text and give it all I’ve got! Obviously, I need some more planning, but since this is the first draft I feel very fortunate to have been given such valuable feedback so early on! You’ve given me just what I needed and I’m rewriting the beginning with your expert tips in mind asap! 😃
- Hannah El Hamalawy, Writer’s Workshop #2 participant
Paula,
I just went through your suggestions tonight — all of which were so helpful — and it was great! THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH for all your help! Your feedback was concise and actionable, and I loved your thoughts on how to position this character-driven novel and include the high-stakes subplots too. I feel so much more comfortable and confident with my query!
- Adelyn Ann Sterling, Author of The Prince’s Guide to True Love’s Kiss (Hachette)
Paula,
You gave me excellent advice and feedback on narrative flow and on hooking a reader across the first two chapters of my novel, which helped me tighten-up the crucial first five thousand words.
In addition your feedback on my query made me take a step back and identify what was really important, editing it down to its essence. Your input has helped me improve my work and I'm grateful for your time!
- David H., Currently Querying
To see sample edits or sign up for a sample edit, contact me on Twitter - @paulapdx_writer
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