In this writing craft podcast episode of the Story Savvy Series, we explore how to polish your manuscript by refining your use of nonverbal cues in fiction. You'll learn practical strategies for editing repetitive words, enhancing deep POV writing, and using physical descriptions to reinforce emotion and pacing. With helpful developmental editing advice, we walk you through how to enrich your narrative rhythms, avoid telling, and sharpen character voice—crucial skills for Fantasy novel editing and strong storytelling across genres.

Join developmental editor Rebecca Hartwell [hartboundediting.com] and aspiring fantasy author Agnes Wolfe [agneswolfeauthor.com] as they dig into this week’s self-editing focus: using nonverbal communication to refine and elevate your manuscript. Together, they share practical strategies for writers revising their drafts, from balancing body language with clarity and pacing to choosing the right NVC for character and scene.

In this Episode

• The role of nonverbal cues in immersing readers in POV

• How to swap out adverbs and emotion labels for authentic body language

• Strategies for fresh, natural gestures without over-relying on clichés

• Personalizing characters through their unique physical responses

• Deciding when nonverbals support pacing—and when they slow scenes down

• Leveraging gestures and expressions to build tension and hint at what’s to come

Resources

• Hartbound Developmental Editing - https://hartboundediting.com/

• Agnes Wolfe - agneswolfeauthor.com

• Dragonheart Academy - Dragonheartacademy.com