Your clients demand a comprehensive and objective edit of their manuscript.
But how does a writer know they’re going to get the edit they need and deserve? They hire a Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor. Fictionary StoryCoach Editors have been trained to edit in a comprehensive and objective way using StoryCoach software.
You want to deliver professional edits in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
StoryCoach is productivity software for smart editors. The new online tool for performing better structural edits in less time. By using StoryCoach along with taking this certification program, you'll become an exceptional editor.
I want to help you achieve your goals.
We host an 8-week session every two months. The sessions includes bi-weekly online meetings with people enrolled in the program. You'll get personal attention during these sessions. Once enrolled, you'll be invited to join the next online portion of the course.
My promise to you.
This program delivers a step-by-step approach to becoming an exceptional editor. I offer world-class support and personal coaching, so you can help your clients tell powerful stories.
Sacha Black, Fictionary Certified Story Coach
"If you want to be an editor, StoryCoach certification is THE qualification to take. Why? StoryCoach training only qualifies one type of editor: the best in the world. StoryCoach will give you in-depth knowledge about story from first word to final chapter. You’ll learn about character depth, common writing mistakes and how to fix them, tension, pace, plot, setting as well as 38 elements of story.
You’ll have opportunities to ask questions as the StoryCoach training team are there for you every step of the way.
If you want to be a world-class story editor, you have to take this course."
Course Curriculum
- A Personal Message From Kristina (0:34)
- Welcome: READ FIRST
- StoryCoach Tutorial: Introduction to Certification (7:13)
- Improving the Way Editors Work With Writers
- Story Coaching
- What is a Fictionary StoryCoach
- What is Fictionary StoryCoach Video (1:51)
- StoryCoach Feedback to Your Client
- How to Use StoryCoach
- StoryCoach Tutorial: Using StoryCoach (1:12)
- StoryCoach Demo (7:14)
- How You Will be Evaluated
- StoryCoach End-to-End Process
- StoryCoach Tutorial: Editing Flow (2:09)
- Before You Begin Editing
- Where to Begin Editing
- StoryCoach Tutorial: Why Update the Cast (1:55)
- Meet the Cast of Characters
- StoryCoach Tutorial: The Cast Of Characters (1:16)
- StoryCoach Tutorial: The Overview Page (3:37)
- See the Story Structure
- Chapters & Scenes Structure (25:57)
- Read the Scene
- After Reading the Scene
- The First and Last Scene
- How to Deliver a Great Summary Letter
- Sample Summary Letter (High Quality Story)
- Product for Your Client
- Sample Introductory Letter to Client
- StoryCoach Tutorial: Sample Scene Edit (10:25)
- StoryCoach Tutorial: Client Account Overview (2:04)
- Quiz: A New Way To Edit
- Plot Versus Structure Versus Story
- Scene Name
- StoryCoach Tutorial: Scene Name (2:32)
- Story Arc
- StoryCoach Tutorial: Updating the Story Arc (0:54)
- Purpose of a Scene
- Scene Opening Type
- Scene Closing Type
- StoryCoach Tutorial: Opening & Closing Types (3:26)
- Scene Anchored
- StoryCoach Tutorial: Scene Anchored (2:04)
- Scene Entry Hook
- StoryCoach Tutorial: Scene Entry Hook (2:00)
- Scene Exit Hook
- StoryCoach Tutorial: Scene Exit Hook (2:34)
- Quiz: Basic Plot Elements
- Tension
- StoryCoach Tutorial: Tension (4:31)
- Conflict
- StoryCoach Tutorial: Conflict (2:55)
- Revelation
- StoryCoach Tutorial: Revelation (2:51)
- Backstory
- StoryCoach Tutorial: Backstory (2:30)
- Flashbacks
- StoryCoach Tutorial: Flashbacks (3:23)
- Scene Middle
- Scene Climax
- Action / Sequel
- Reader Knowledge Gained
The Story Arc
StoryCoach automatically creates powerful visuals by analyzing your manuscript from start to finish. Insights such as the Story Arc provide a 30,000-foot view of the manuscript and quickly highlight structural areas that need improvement.
Characters Per Scene
StoryCoach automatically identifies character names, links characters to scenes, and shows you where and when each character appears in the story.
Scene-by-Scene Editing
StoryCoach is designed for scene-by-scene editing that leads to "seeing" the entire story structure in a new way. You'll start by looking at the cast of characters, viewing the structure, then moving to scene-by-scene editing, and finally reviewing the overall structure again.
James Gallagher,
Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor
From first sight, Fictionary captured my imagination. As an editor, I was intrigued by a software that makes story analysis more precise while providing clients with beautiful, engaging visual insights. After completing the training program and becoming a Fictionary-Certified StoryCoach Editor, I am even more enthusiastic about this helpful tool.
Because Fictionary increases your efficiency when capturing and analyzing 38 story elements for character, plot, and setting, your editing brain is even freer to explore the kinds of story enhancements that can thrill readers and set writers apart. I am incredibly pleased to have found Fictionary, and I wholeheartedly sing its praises.
Allison Itterly, Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor
Every book is unique, but any book can benefit from an edit in StoryCoach. It’s incredible what this software can do! The program dissects a manuscript scene by scene and highlights the strengths, weaknesses, and repetitive patterns based on 38 story elements. The StoryCoach certification and training course is thorough and detailed with a ton of visuals and resources.
StoryCoach makes it easy to convey to authors what they can do to improve their story and how to implement it. Not only am I giving the client a substantive in-depth edit with StoryCoach, but my editorial analysis paired with visuals and statistics takes my editing to the next level. StoryCoach is also effective for time management, whether it’s a first draft or a final revision. This is especially helpful when working on books that lack structure and direction.
The software is smart, but it still requires an editor’s personal touch and knowledge, which is important for the editor-writer relationship. I can work within the framework of the program through an objective lens while still offering my editor’s voice. StoryCoach is an exceptional tool and perfect for editors who want to give their clients a comprehensive and streamlined edit!
Jefferson Gaskin, Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor
"I was blown away by the comprehensiveness of the StoryCoach Certification Course. Through video tutorials and in-depth materials, the course gives you everything you need to use the StoryCoach software as effectively and efficiently as possible.
What really amazed me, though, was its focused, easy-to-understand method for breaking down a story into its basic elements and evaluating narrative for dramatic effect.
StoryCoach Certification Training has supercharged my editing, helping me to focus attention on specific elements that make it easy to give clients specific, actionable advice. I highly recommend it to all fiction editors, whether new to the industry or seasoned veteran."
Kristin McTiernan, Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor
"I was blown away by the StoryCoach program! The software prompts you to focus on all the elements of the plot and characters, many of which you wouldn't even think to comment on if you were editing a story in a regular word processor.
The course was very clear and once I got into the program, I was so excited to apply what I'd learned in the class to an actual novel. If you want to blow your editing clients away with a thorough and in-depth story critique, definitely get your certification and start using this amazing program!"
Dawn Field, Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor
An in-depth course that's a must have for every story editor. Editing a manuscript and having it evaluated boosted my editing skills into overdrive!
Max Dade, Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor
With over six years editing experience and after completion of the StoryCoach course, I can say with confidence that the StoryCoach platform allows a detailed breakdown of any story, thus enabling editors and authors to conduct a detailed analysis of the plot, characters, and content on a scene-by-scene basis.
As the first editor to complete the accredited StoryCoach course for editors, I provided valuable feedback and input towards the final version of the software.
Joanne Lane, Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor
I thought I was a good editor, and then I completed the StoryCoach certification. What I learned has taken me further into an understanding and application of story elements than I ever dreamed possible.
This included things like understanding point of view in the scene and its importance, the use of objects, plot point locations, how scenes open and close, how characters are used and when, elements like backstory and flashbacks, the different kinds of tension that keep a reader interested, and so much more.
The end result is I’m a much better editor today and my clients have benefited. Completing the reading materials, engaging in the videos, and participating in the Q&A sessions with the training team really helped me understand the content and also how to apply it to my own work.
It was also a thoroughly enjoyable process and didn’t feel like work at all. If you like language, words, learning, and want to be a better editor, StoryCoach certification is the ideal choice for you.
Michael Springer, Fictionary Certified StoryCoach Editor
StoryCoach gives you all you need to provide a detailed and thorough developmental appraisal of any narrative. Using a rubric of 38 story elements, it helps the editor consider every relevant aspect of the text. Pre-written pieces of advice and guidance make it quick and easy to alert the author to issues needing attention, and there’s extensive scope for more detailed engagement of your own, to explore issues in greater depth. The system also illuminates connections between these 38 elements that would not otherwise be apparent. This gives an excellent insight into the fundamental architecture of the narrative, and its strengths and weaknesses.
The training system is very helpful, and the software is intuitive and easy to use. It’s a highly practical system in every respect: focused on what works, and no abstract theorizing necessary. That said, the theory underpinning the approach is comprehensive, convincing, and often inspired. I’m excited about the prospect of working with StoryCoach, and would recommend it to anyone who wants to give authors the best developmental assistance they can.
Program Created by Kristina Stanley
Combining her degree in computer mathematics with her success as a bestselling, award-winning author and fiction editor, Kristina Stanley is the creator and CEO of Fictionary - creative editing software for fiction writers and editors. She is a Fictionary Certified Story Coach and Story Editing Advisor to Alliance Of Independent Authors.
Her novels include The Stone Mountain mystery series and Look the Other Way. Her non-fiction title The Authors Guide to Selling Books to Non-Bookstores helps Indie authors sell books. She's on the board of directors for the Story Studio Writing Society, a charity that inspired, educates and empowers youth to be great storytellers. She’s a passionate guide-dog trainer and hiker.
Start a 14-day free trial of Fictionary StoryCoach and see how it helps you perform a comprehensive, objective edit.