Penny Carroll
Writer & Editor
storyboard sessions
Are you stuck with your story? Let’s talk
Write a book, they said. It’ll be great, they said. Absolutely! you said. Except now your plot has run out of puff, your characters have lost their way and you can’t work out how to pull off the big twist you had planned.
The problem with writing a book is that when it comes down to it, it’s a lonely affair. Just you, your keyboard, and a million burning questions.
Blog posts, workshops, writing groups and craft books are great, but sometimes you just need help that’s specific to your problem. This is where the Storyboard Session comes in. It’s a one-hour consultation with me, a professional fiction editor, designed to give you tailored feedback to help you break through whatever is blocking your way forward.
Whether it’s a plotting issue, a character concern, beta reader feedback that you don’t know how to implement, or a serious case of ‘Can I really do this?’, I’m here to help.
Let’s talk.
Meet the Editor
Hi, I’m Penny
I’m a professional writer and fiction editor who’s hopelessly devoted to storytelling.
I’ve spent most of my career writing compelling, zeitgeisty articles for glossy magazines and now I help authors reach their ideal readers with powerful, plot-driven stories that tap into real emotions and real-world issues.
My superpower: cutting through the confusion to identify what’s holding you and your story back.
If clear, tailored advice to help you get back on track sounds good, book a storyboard session today
What the session includes: Send me up to 5,000 words plus a synopsis two weeks ahead of time for specific feedback on the problem that’s got you stuck. If your concern is more general or you’re not ready to share pages, just bring your questions. I’ll make some brief notes during our call to help guide your next steps. I’ll also record our session and provide a transcript so you can refer back to it later.
book a storyboard session today
What the authors say
‘Penny has helped me untangle many a plot issue. I can recall the exact bits in my books she had a (very talented) hand in. There’s nothing like having a professional care so deeply about your story. If you’re anything like me, once you come unstuck, the ideas will snowball and you’ll leave not just with a path forward but feeling extra inspired!’ — Karina May, author of That Island Feeling, Never Ever Forever, and Duck a l’Orange for Breakfast
‘My manuscript is now a million times better thanks to Penny’s eagle eye and sharp insights. She treated my work with such care and respect, and really understood what I was trying to achieve.’ — Trudie McConnochie, debut novel in progress
‘Penny seemed to have an intuitive sense of what I was trying to achieve and offered practical advice that pretty much changed the course of my story!’ — Samantha Valentine, author of Meet Me in Berlin and King Love
So, where are you stuck?
The opening chapter needs work
We can work out if your inciting incident is in the right place and if your first paras are doing enough to hook your readers.
Beta reader feedback has you in knots
Sometimes beta reader reactions can throw you for a loop. Bring the feedback to me and I’ll help you work out what’s useful and what you can let go.
The messy middle got you good
It happens to the best of us: the plot loses its way in the middle of the story. Let’s figure out where the momentum is missing and how to get it back.
You’re struggling with bringing it home
Let’s chat about whether your story is resolving in a satisfying way and if the message you wanted to share is fully realised.
Your characters are misbehaving
Step into my fictional therapy office for some character-driven psychology.