Fix What’s Not Working in Your Manuscript —
Without Guessing
A diagnostic system built from years of evaluating manuscripts as a literary agent.
If your Clarity Check revealed you've been revising by instinct rather than structure, you're not alone.
Most writers were never taught how to evaluate scenes diagnostically.
So they polish.
They adjust.
They rewrite.
And revisions remain exhausting.
The Manuscript Diagnostic System, Tier 1 of Novel Advice, exists to change that.
The Manuscript Diagnostic System is structured to help you identify what’s actually breaking in your manuscript — and why — so you avoid fixing the wrong problem and revising in circles.
Didn't take the Clarity Check yet? Start there.
The Manuscript Diagnostic System Trains You to Think Like an Editor
Not in theory.
In practice.
In the Clarity Check, you saw the difference between instinct-driven revision and structural revision.
Tier 1 teaches you how to build that structural lens intentionally.
Across four core areas of manuscript breakdown:
Scene purpose and change
Show vs. tell confusion
Point of view control
Description and narrative focus
Instead of giving you rules to memorize, Tier 1 gives you a diagnostic framework.
You learn how to:
Identify where a scene lacks movement
Recognize when emotion is labeled instead of embodied
Spot POV drift and containment issues
Distinguish surface-level issues from structural ones
Prioritize what to fix first
The goal isn't perfection. It isn't about writing more beautifully.
It's about seeing clearly.
When you see clearly, revisions become ordered.
That's when progress starts to feel steady.
"My writing has greatly improved since I began working with Lynnette a few years ago. She has a keen editorial eye, especially when it comes to tone and pacing. Her constructive feedback is always detailed and easy to understand. After reading my first manuscript, Lynnette identified specific patterns in my writing that were holding it back. Thanks to her, my prose is now cleaner, my dialogue is tighter, and my scenes flow better. I still look at that initial list when I sit down to write a scene today.”
– I.M. Eerie, author of OPEN WIDE and upcoming THE I SCREAM TRUCK (Aladdin, Simon & Schuster)
You’ll learn how to recognize what the page is doing — and whether it’s doing it effectively.
What Tier 1 Is Not
It's not line editing.
It's not sentence polishing.
It's not a "finish your manuscript" program.
It's not a collection of writing tips.
It doesn't offer feedback. (That comes later.)
Tier 1 is foundational training.
You're building the skill of recognition — the ability to name what's not working with precision.
When you diagnose accurately, your revisions become deliberate rather than reactive.
So That You Can Create:
Scenes built on clear purpose and change
Decisions that alter story direction
Escalation rooted in consequence
Voice shaped by intentional point of view
“Lynnette's grasp of the publishing industry is impressive—her depth and breadth of knowledge make learning from her a true privilege. With a track record of attending key conferences and building connections with editors, she offers insights that are sharp and remarkably current. If you're seeking guidance informed by hands-on experience and a keen sense of the market, I'd highly recommend Lynnette and her classes without hesitation. Trustworthy, informed, and engaging—she's a standout mentor.”
– Marzieh Abbas, published with Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, Harper Collins, and more
How The Manuscript Diagnostic System Works
Tier 1 includes four core classes:
Scene Purpose & Change
Point of View and Narrative Access
Show vs. Tell Misdiagnosis
Description and Reader Orientation
Each class includes:
A Quick Check Tool
A Diagnostic Worksheet
A Decision Tree
A Clarity Checklist
A Red Flag Bank
Common Pattern Breakdowns
A Structured Revision Planner
The structure repeats intentionally.
Because editorial thinking is a process — not a trick.
You’ll start recognizing patterns in your own work.
That’s the shift.
LIFETIME ACCESS.
No deadline.
No escalation requirement.
Move at your own pace.
What Happens After Tier 1?
Tier 1 is the foundation of the Novel Advice system.
Once you can clearly recognize what’s broken, you may choose to continue into structured reconstruction — where you learn how to rebuild what you can already see.
But that comes later.
Right now, the focus is recognition.
Why This Framework Works
The Manuscript Diagnostic System was shaped by:
Years of evaluating submissions as a literary agent
Coaching writers across genres and career stages
Teaching craft through structured revision models
Editorial experience diagnosing systemic breakdowns
This framework is built from pattern recognition — not theory.
If you want to stop guessing and start diagnosing, you start here.
Who The Manuscript Diagnostic System Is For
Writers who:
Feel like something isn't working but can't name what it is
Revise in circles
Get conflicting feedback from critique partners
Want a structured way to evaluate their own work
Care about craft and want to think more deliberately
Write middle grade, YA, or adult fiction
Tier 1 focuses on structural diagnosis rather than direct critique or line-level editing,
and it is best suited to full-length fiction rather than picture books or early chapter books.
"Working with Lynnette has been such a boon for my writing! Trying to get published can feel like trying to read minds: What am I doing right? What can I do better? Having someone to guide you is so crucial. Lynnette has been that for me, helping me improve my weaknesses and build on my strengths. She knows how to be honest but kind, and she's the very definition of a hardworking asset in your corner. Thank you, Lynnette!"
– Michelle Chouinard, USA Today bestselling author of The Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco Mysteries Series (Minotaur, Macmillan)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to finish a draft first?
No. The system can be used on partial drafts or during active revisions. Many writers begin while mid-manuscript.
Do I need Tier 1 before continuing to other levels of the system?
Yes. Tier 1 teaches the diagnostic lens that the rest of the system builds on. Without it, revisions become guesswork.
How long do I have access?
Lifetime access. Because diagnosis is a skill that improves over time. Return whenever you need to recalibrate your editorial thinking.
Is this a beginner course?
No. Writers at every stage benefit from stronger diagnostic skills. Many experienced writers discover they've been revising in the wrong order.
Will this tell me exactly what to fix?
It will tell you how to recognize what’s working and what isn’t. The actual revision decisions remain yours.
What if I write picture books and early chapter books?
Tier 1 is best suited to full-length fiction rather than picture books or early chapter books.
Meet Lynnette Novak
Lynnette is a literary agent who has evaluated thousands of manuscripts across genres. In addition to agenting, she has worked as a writing coach, teacher, and freelance editor. Her work focuses on diagnostic clarity and structural precision.
The Novel Advice System was developed from repeated exposure to the same recurring manuscript failure modes — and the need for a clearer way to identify them.
Begin With Clarity
When you can recognize what’s not working, you stop chasing symptoms.
You stop rewriting blindly.
You stop second-guessing every sentence.
You start revising with intention.
That's the work of Tier 1.
Build the foundation. Learn to think like an editor.
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