My Editing Process

I work with my clients closely as they write each draft – usually even each chapter. I do my  best to begin with a read-through, after which I write up my notes about the overall issues, both good and bad, and share them with you. Then I go back through your draft and make detailed marginal notes indicating specific recommendations for improving it.

When you write a memoir, you want to engage your readers. You want them to understand you, to respond to your personality as if you were in the room, and to gain insight into their own lives from reading about your journey.

You want them to read so eagerly that they are reluctant to put the book down and eat dinner.

If nothing more, I provide a second pair of eyes to tell you whether you are likely to succeed at that – and if you’re not succeeding, I’ll offer to advise you on what you might change that would enable you to succeed.

Along the way I charge you only for the time I spend working on your draft, and I keep in touch about how much time to spend so you can stay within your budget.

Your Voice and Style

Your voice – your unique writing style and tone – grow out of your life. My approach is to find the best in your own way of writing and ensure that it’s consistent but avoids needless mistakes that would make a reader less respectful or less interested in what you have to say.

Getting to First-Rate

While I encourage you and respect your effort, I promise nevertheless to spot every misstep, omission, confusing passage, or inaccurate statement – whatever might lead your reader to lose the thread or respect for your work – and suggest a way to improve it.

Buddhists call it ruthless compassion. An athletic coach calls it showing up for practice – pointing out the good as well as what needs improvement.  I’ll acknowledge your best and spot your problems, in the context of making the work great.

I intend to work with ambitious writers, and if that includes you, we’ll both work hard and judge ruthlessly to reach mastery.

Every client I have worked with so far has forged strong bonds with me through emails and regular phone or Zoom conversations. We understand one another, trust one another, and in time, come to care for one another.  It could work that way for you too.