You’ve spent months or even years pouring out the story that couldn’t be denied. Through smiles and tears, you’ve followed characters on journeys across town or across galaxies. New worlds and old, creatures of all kinds, ships and treasures, and leisurely strolls with deep conversations have filled your mind and documents as they came to life. And now you’re done! It’s an amazing feeling! Right up until you realize it’s time to review and edit. For some people, that’s downright terrifying.

 

Getting outside perspectives is important. Chances are you didn’t write this story just to hoard it away. So, you went through writers’ groups and alpha readers. You’ve considered a developmental edit. Maybe you’re on the hunt for one now, or maybe you’ve done this and moved on. Perhaps you reviewed again, had beta readers, and now stare at a manuscript that's almost there, so so close, but you need professional help to shine that puppy up and bring it to the next level. But how? Who to trust with this prize?

 

I am here to help you. As someone with the occasional story demanding to be written, I understand how anxiety-inducing it can be to turn over something you’ve put your blood, sweat, and tears into hoping they don’t ruin your baby. An editor should strive to keep your unique author’s voice while aiding in tightening up prose, pointing out errors, and offering suggestions. The decisions themselves are yours to make. Editing isn’t a takeover, it’s a collaboration. Editor and author need to be on the same page with the same vision. They need to be able to do what language was created for: communicate.

 

So, let’s talk, you and I. Tell me your tales. I will help your dreams soar!