Book Doctor Story Analysis
by Jami Gold
I offer three levels of Book Doctor Story Analysis:
- Synopsis Critique and Analysis:
Editorial feedback and in-document comments, useful for broken or non-broken stories. - Story Outline Analysis:
Editorial feedback on plot, character, and other elements present in story outline. - One-on-One Feedback Session:
Analysis of multiple documents and includes phone conversation to discuss feedback of all elements.
Read on for more information about all of these options, but first, some overall information about "broken" stories...
What Can We Do with Broken Stories?
When a story is broken, we might wonder if it can be fixed. I think a story can almost always be saved with the right amount of work — often a lot of work. But even when we're up for the challenge, step one is figuring out which pieces are broken.
I enjoy analyzing stories and identifying what's not working. In other words, I find those broken pieces. Think of me as a "book doctor" who can diagnose problem areas and give prescriptions on how to make it better.
Book doctors typically do their work alongside a developmental edit (such as with my Book Doctor Developmental Edit option). However, a developmental edit can be a very expensive way to uncover what's broken about a story. Severely broken stories might need a second round of developmental edits, adding to the cost.
Instead, I'll attempt to diagnose problems by analyzing other documents that capture the story structure. This method won't reveal every problem with a story, but when the budget is tight, this can be an economical way to receive a high-level analysis, especially as a means to fix many of the major issues in a broken story before a developmental edit.
How Does a Book Doctor Story Analysis Work?
To the extent possible with the provided document(s), I'll analyze the story structure to identify the broken elements and provide suggestions on how to fix them in the following areas:
- story and character arcs (and if applicable, the romance arc)
- plot events and turning points
- conflicts
- stakes
- goals
- motivations
Please Note: Elements like tension, pacing, characterization (and likeability), information dumps, and general writing issues aren't on that list above. Those elements can't be detected by a high-level story analysis, as they're judged by the execution of the story's ideas. Therefore, a Book Doctor Story Analysis should not be seen as a replacement for a developmental edit, but as an economical way to fix big-picture problems before that expensive edit.
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Synopsis Critique and Analysis
For broken or non-broken stories, author will receive feedback in their synopsis and in an editorial letter.
This service includes a general synopsis critique, analyzing for clarity and story flow, as well as a high-level story analysis of big-picture issues that may or may not be reflected in the actual manuscript. (Just because we're good at writing novels doesn't mean we're good at writing synopses—and vice versa.)
Story Outline Analysis
Author will receive editorial feedback on plot, character, and other elements.
The author would need to provide a scene-by-scene outline of the story. For best results, the outline should include at least a paragraph for each scene describing what happens and how it's important to the plot and characters. The outline might also include mentions of: setting, related off-page events, revelations, and important dialogue exchanges.
The more information included in the story outline as far as each scene's plots/subplots, point-of-view used, word count, and character interactions and goals, the better the analysis will be. A thorough story outline for a novel might run around 20-40 pages.
- Price: $180
One-on-One Feedback Session
Author will receive editorial feedback on plot, character, and other elements based on multiple documents—also includes a follow-up phone conversation.
I'll analyze multiple documents provided by the author, such as beat sheet(s), synopsis, and story outline (see Story Outline Analysis above) for story structure issues. For an additional charge, I'll critique the synopsis as well.
In addition to the analysis feedback, this service includes a single phone conversation (around 1 hour in length) to address questions, discuss options, and brainstorm potential solutions to the issues. The phone conversation should happen within one week of the emailed feedback to ensure the best communication of the story's specific issues.
- Price without a synopsis critique: $240
- Price with a synopsis critique (up to 5 pages, double-spaced, one-inch margins): $300
The “Small Print" for Book Doctor Story Analysis Projects
Limited Clients: To leave time for my writing and other writing obligations, I generally take on only one story analysis project (at any level) per month. For this reason, I require a deposit of 50% to hold a slot for an author.
Format: I prefer to work in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) so that if appropriate, I can leave comments in the synopsis or story outline pointing out specific elements that need work.
Basic Disclaimer: The quality of the story analysis depends completely on the quality of the material(s) submitted by the author. My feedback addresses only the information given. Although a story analysis can identify and suggest fixes for many issues, it's not a replacement for a developmental edit. (See full Editing disclaimer.)
Not what you need? Click to return to the main Editorial Services page.
If you already know you want to put down a deposit and reserve a time slot, please mention that in the message.
PLEASE NOTE: I'm grateful and honored that my advice has been helpful to so many, but that means I'm often booked for over a year in advance for Developmental Editing and have very sporadic availability for Book Doctor Analysis openings. Please keep that in mind with any requests.To inquire further, please complete the form below. Include any other questions or concerns in the Message box.
Thank you for your interest!
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