Want to know what makes a good writer great? Stay tuned to learn how self editing your novel leads to writer improvement, while we uncover how to find the central message of a story. In the 4th episode of the Story Savvy Self-Editing Series, the Hart Bound Editing Podcast teams up with Authors' Alcove to help writers uncover the heart of their story or the story’s message. This 52-week series is designed to guide writers through the self-editing process, offering tools and insights to turn a good story into a great one. Agnes Wolfe, host of Authors' Alcove [http://authorsalcove.com], brings questions to Rebecca Hartwell, a developmental editor and founder of Hart Bound Editing [http://hartboundediting.com]. Together, they share practical tips and strategies to help authors refine their narratives and deepen their stories’ impact. In this episode, they explore: Why identifying the heart of your story is key to resonating with readers. How to pinpoint the core event, character journey, and overarching message. How focusing on these elements during self-editing can sharpen your storytelling. Rebecca dives into actionable advice for brainstorming and refining your story’s deeper themes, sharing her proven techniques for aligning plot, characters, and theme. Agnes adds her perspective as an aspiring author, providing relatable insights to encourage writers at every stage. Recommended Resources: Refining Your Story’s Core: Professional tips from Rebecca: [https://hartboundediting.com] Fantasy Writing Inspiration: Practical advice from Agnes Wolfe: [http://authorsalcove.com] Do you have questions about defining your story’s heart? Share them in the comments, and Rebecca and Agnes will address them in a future episode! [0.00] Intro [03:52] What is the Heart of the Story? [05:24] What is the Double Factor Problem? [07:57] Is the Heart of the Story the Same as the Message and “North Star”? [08:36] When Should We Know the Heart of the Story? [12:37] When Writing a Series, Should Themes be Different? [14:35] What if the Heart of Your Story Does Not Fit the Traditional Elements? [24:53] How Does Knowing the Heart of the Story Help Us? [30:19] How Do Symbols and Imagery Impact the Heart of the Story? [35:17] Do We Really Need to Know the Heart of Our Story? [42:24] What Questions Should You Ask to Draw Out the Heart of the Story?

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