Often, when I get a complex manuscript in (or one I’m struggling to get my head around) I take a giant step back and break it down into scenes, looking at the smaller parts of the puzzle, as opposed to the whole picture. So imagine my delight when I discovered it was an actual technique of developmental editing, and that it had a name  – Book (or manuscript) mapping – and that the EFA (Editorial Freelancers Association) was running a course on it.

I couldn’t sign up quick enough.

Although I already do an element of book mapping, I’m always keen to listen to those who are more experienced than myself and discover alternative methods of carrying out a task. We’re just entering week two, and I’m already seeing better ways of working to achieve the same results.