My Editing Style

I’ve been writing kids’ books and books for grownups for many years, learning and honing my craft. I’ve been editing since late 2013, and find that not only does my writing improve my editing, but my editing also improves my writing. It’s a great synergy!

Because I’m a writer, I understand how scary it can be to entrust your manuscript to a stranger. When I started writing, I was too nervous to show what I wrote to anyone but the closest of friends or family. I was fearful of possible criticism.

I knew that some people took classes or joined writers’ groups, but I couldn’t imagine having a virtual stranger reading and critiquing my work. Then I learned about Emma Walton Hamilton, who was offering a writing class in the craft of picture book writing – Just Write for Kids – online.

Emma’s gentle, encouraging teaching style not only taught me much about the craft of writing, but also made me feel safe enough to send my manuscript to her for a manuscript evaluation. I admit to nervousness about reading the evaluation, but her comments were filled with insight, and the positivity and affirmation I’d found in her teaching was present in every comment and suggestion she made.

Over and over, I have been amazed at the way I’ve been able to improve my manuscripts after receiving such editorial comments. A chance comment on the side of the page can get my brain churning with ideas! Now, I find it exciting to send a manuscript off, knowing that the feedback will help in ways I could not have imagined. This has certainly boosted my confidence in my writing ability. My experiences in the writing community have also increased my confidence in sharing my thoughts and knowledge.

All this has, I believe, helped me to become a better editor. After having such insightful and inspiring editing assistance for my own manuscripts, I want to provide the same encouragement to my clients. The joy of editing for me  is helping another writer to learn and grow and make his/her manuscript shine. All I learn in honing my own writing makes me a better editor.

I love to help my editing clients learn more about the craft of writing, as well. Tied to that is my passion for connecting people with the right resources. I often suggest resources to clients during the editing process.

And, as I learned from Emma, I try to do all this with gentleness, with humor, and with a spirit of caring for the person and his/her manuscript ~ editing with a keen eye and an understanding heart.

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Check out the Services and Rates Page to see how we can work together. Together, we can make your manuscript SOAR!