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The difference between editing and proofreading
I love the reactions I get when people find out I am an editor. They start confessing all their grammar sins and foibles to me. It’s analogous to when people find out my husband is a dentist and confess they are overdue for their cleaning, or that they never floss. It makes me smile. I don’t judge bad grammar, poor spelling, or apostrophe abuse. I won’t shake my “you should be ashamed of yourself” finger if you mistake loose for lose or mix up there, their, and they’re. And I certainly won’t...
read moreBig Announcement!
As an editor, I spend the majority of my time buried in the pages of unpublished books, blogs, and other beautifully blunder-filled prose. I am energized by what I do, and I enjoy (prefer) being behind the scenes helping my writers polish their message so it shines for the world. I take what I do very seriously because writing is hard… and for most authors, editing is excruciating. I respect that. I honor it. Hey, I’m a writer too, so I get it! I love editing, though. It’s my favorite part of the entire writing...
read moreWhat defines a “serious writer”?
I disagree. Respectfully of course. I consider myself a serious writer, yet I must have a life outside of writing. I have a husband, two kids, friends, and a plethora of life experiences I want/need to live. Life gives us the material about which we write. If we aren’t out living, there isn’t anything worth seriously writing about. I write to learn. I write to discover what lives in my heart and mind and then determine how it is shaping my story. But there is little to find if I am not putting things in, right? If I am not out gathering...
read moreA writing professor who believed in me
I needed to organize my client’s book in a binder. As I rummaged around my office for an extra “three-ring,” I came across a writing portfolio from my sophomore year of college. Professor Doug Taylor, Writing 323. That was a tough class, and I remember working my butt off for this portfolio during the term. The professor was hard to impress, and I was always a little intimidated by him. He was constantly telling me to “unpack” the text we were studying… I wasn’t going deep enough. The grade sheet slipped out when I opened the...
read moreOne Word: Center
*I want to share a post with you from my Writings and Ruminations blog, which is my personal blog. I post my musings about life, parenting, and of course writing! Come on over anytime and say hello!* ***** Wow… it feels a little strange to bring my thoughts to a page this morning. I haven’t posted since December 29th. It feels a little like opening up a storage room door and being hit with cold stale air, and as the sting of the chill washes over me I see all my thoughts packed safely away in pretty boxes all neatly...
read moreA View to Editing– Ryan Casey
Though the basic elements within the writing process are consistent for all writers, the overall journey for each writer is beautifully unique. For this installment of my new series, “A View to Editing,” I am honored to introduce you to author, Ryan Casey! Today he is giving us a look inside his writing life, his upcoming novel, and of course, his view on the editing process. I was first introduced to Casey’s writing when I read (for pleasure) his short story Silhouette. It is an outstanding story centered upon the subject...
read moreA View to Editing–New Series
I’ve said this a bazillion times —writing is hard. Editing is excruciating, but it is a critical part of the writing process that has the power to set your book apart from the rest. I don’t want you to take my word for it–especially since I am a freelance editor! I could be biased. So, I’m bringing you a new series called “A view to Editing,” which presents perspectives and experiences about the editing process from published authors around the world–in both the self-publishing and traditional...
read moreWhat’s the point of publishing if…?
“You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you. And we edit to let the fire show through the smoke.” ~ Arthur Polotnik I recently had the pleasure of attending a writer’s conference and sitting on a “Lunch with the Editors” panel. It was a question and answer format where the audience had the opportunity to pepper us editors with questions and harrowing scenarios regarding the perils of editing.*Dun-dun-dun* I was ready! Imagine my surprise, though, (and disappointment) when 99% of the...
read moreWhy? Why? Why?
I wrote the following post way back in April of 2012. Over the course the last year, though, I’ve come to fiercely believe that the ideas of “point” and “purpose” apply to writing as a whole not just to writer’s block. I encourage you to define the point and purpose of your writing not only on those fateful and frustrating days when you cannot find the words, but also on the days when the words flow freely. In fact, have a clear purpose laid out before you even start writing your piece. And sometimes...
read moreFive Reasons why you Need an Editor
“Oh. I just edit my own stuff.” That’s nice. Who edits your work after you? I recently heard a fantastic analogy from author Daniel Audet about editing your own work. He says, “No race car driver can also be his own mechanic and he’ll never win any races without a good one.” Whether you are blogging every day or working painstakingly on what’s sure to be the next New York Times Best Seller, you have a message for thousands if not hundreds of thousands of readers. With that many people reading your words, it is imperative...
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