What makes a good writer great? How can I improve my storytelling skills? These are just a couple questions I got answered when I asked foradvice from a developmental editor Rebecca Hartwel of Hart Bound Editing as we discussed how to protect our most beloved parts of our story, during the editing process.

In episode 5 of the Story Savvy Self-Editing Series, the Hart Bound Editing Podcast joins forces with Authors' Alcove to explore the importance of protecting your story’s core elements during revisions, and making sure that you know what your non-negotiables are, so that your final piece is a story that you love.

This 52-week series is designed to help writers navigate self-editing with confidence, providing tools and insights to turn a good story into a great one. Agnes Wolfe, host of Authors' Alcove [http://authorsalcove.com], asks key questions to Rebecca Hartwell, a developmental editor and founder of Hart Bound Editing [http://hartboundediting.com]. Together, they discuss how knowing your non-negotiables can make feedback less overwhelming and ensure your story stays true to your vision.

• Why defining your non-negotiables helps you stay connected to your story.

• How to accept feedback without compromising what’s most important to you.

• Practical strategies to refine your story while maintaining its heart.

Rebecca shares expert guidance on setting creative boundaries while staying open to improvements, while Agnes provides relatable insights from an aspiring author’s perspective.

• Protecting What Matters in Your Story: Expert insights from Rebecca: [https://hartboundediting.com]

• Writing with Passion & Purpose: Inspiration from Agnes Wolfe: [http://authorsalcove.com]

Have questions about defining your non-negotiables? Drop them in the comments, and Rebecca and Agnes may answer them in a future episode!

In this episode, they explore:Recommended Resources:[00:00] Intro[01:14] What Are Non-Negotiables?[02:32] Why Is It Important to Know Your Non-Negotiables?[04:20] How Big Should I Make My Edits?[06:22] What If My Story Strays from What Is Special to Me?[12:32] What Questions Should I Ask to Decide If a Scene Stays?[15:46] How Do I Know If I Have Scenes That Take Away from What Is Important to Me?[17:51] How Can I Refine My Story to Better Showcase the Elements I Am Most Passionate About?[19:37] How Do We Handle Negative Feedback About What We Love?