Episode 37: Writing Seamless Transitions: Self-Editing Tips for Stronger Story Momentum

This episode explores pacing pitfalls writers, novel structure pacing, and self-editing strategies for writers, focusing on how to create smooth transitions that keep readers engaged. We dive into scene-level editing and editing scene flow, unpacking how clarity in transitions impacts focal length in narration and helps in maintaining story momentum. With these practical insights, you’ll gain actionable tools to strengthen your fiction and avoid common mistakes that derail storytelling flow.

In this episode of the Story Savvy Self-Editing Series, developmental editor Rebecca Hartwell and aspiring fantasy author Agnes Wolfe dig into one of the most overlooked but critical aspects of writing: transitions. From time jumps to POV shifts, and from white space to chapter breaks, they cover how to guide readers smoothly through changes without losing momentum or clarity.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
-The basics of signaling jumps in time, location, and POV
-Why clarity in transitions is vital for reader immersion
-Common mistakes writers make with scene breaks
-Structural rules for breaks (scene, chapter, or whitespace)
-How to maintain momentum when transitioning
-What “focal length” means and how it impacts storytelling
-When to summarize versus dramatize passages of time
-How to stay consistent with multiple timelines or POVs
-Tips for handling fantasy-specific transitions like teleportation or time travel

Recommended Resources
-Need a Developmental Editor? www.hartboundediting.com