Outside the Blog: Ellen Brock
I will be highlighting some other wonderful resources on the internet (and beyond) under the category 'Outside the Blog.' First up, Ellen Brock.
Brock is a professional, freelance novel editor. She has an amazing YouTube channel that covers all aspects of novel writing, from how to structure plot and develop characters to how to contact publishers.
I particularly like her videos about plotting because she explains how plot structure affects the reader's emotional reaction. Her explanations don't put down these concepts as gospel law but rather show why they are effective tools for an author.
As an editor, she provides an experienced, non-storyteller perspective. It's too easy for people in a specific field (like storytelling) to get so involved in their own meta-discussions that they become out of touch with the real world and are thereby less effective. Ellen Brock gives storytellers (not just writers) a grounded view of their work vis à vis their audience and has a lot of practical advice that allows storytellers to quickly up their game. Her website also has an awesome aesthetic.