Why work with me?
Effective communication is the backbone to any healthy relationship, whether it is with a client, a reader or a loved one. As such, understanding what my clients want—and how to bring the best out of their writing—is paramount to the work I do.
Together, we will determine the best way to convey your message while ensuring your voice is still very much yours. Let’s get started!
More about me
Editing
As an editor, I am:
A second set of eyes
Putting words on paper or typing something up for your website may seem easy at times, but a second pair of eyes can aid you in determining whether your words—and your message—are clear and effective. Although you can ask a friend or co-worker to proofread your work, a professional editor like me can ferret out elements that are missed by less trained eyes. You would want to have an engineer look at your house plans to ensure they are sound, right? Similarly, having a professional editor will help to ensure your words and message are appropriate for your audience.
Honest and professional, without being insensitive
It can be hard to find friends or family who will give you feedback that isn’t couched in their personal feelings for you. We’ve all seen it. When our loved ones read our work, it’s not always clear whether they are giving you their complete honesty. A professional editor can still be kind, considerate and compassionate, but their first priority is to be honest. If something doesn’t work, they will let you know because their responsibility is to help you produce the best writing possible.
An accountability partner
Sometimes, It can be difficult to self-motivate. Your editor can be your coach: someone who pushes you to be better while also supporting you through the writing process. When an editor is waiting to receive the next stage of your writing, your sense of urgency is heightened. You are working toward a goal with a deadline this time.
I offer the following services for people looking for editorial assistance
Manuscript Evaluation
Unless you have completely finished your project and are looking for proofreading services, I believe in assessing a body of work prior to editing. This evaluation entails reading your manuscript and providing an assessment of what it needs to be effective and compelling. You will receive a 10-15 page report that addresses the areas that are successful, along with examples. My main focus, however, will be on the areas that require help.
My role in writing this assessment is to look at the content of your work and determine, for example, what is missing or what can be removed for better clarity. I will also point out grammatical and stylistic issues that I encounter. Regardless of the format, this evaluation will give you a sense of the scope of editing I believe your project will require. I may suggest developmental editing or find that the structure is sound and all your text needs is a copy edit. Regardless of my assessment, you have the final say over what kind of editing your text will get.
Samples:
Developmental editing
Developmental editing is also sometimes referred to as structural or substantive editing. This is the type of editing that is the most in-depth. Your text or manuscript may require major changes to plot, your characters or the structure of your story, if you are writing a book. For more corporate writing, your text may be missing key elements that are necessary to put your message across. Regardless of the type of writing, this stage of editing is when I would suggest you add or delete sections or paragraphs to better focus your writing. I might ask questions to help clarify your meaning or your intent. This type of editing is about the bigger picture, so grammatical issues are not addressed here. I might recommend two rounds of developmental editing if your writing requires a lot of changes. This will allow me to see your changes and then make further recommendations.
Samples:
Copy editing
Copy editing is done after the text is well organized and no longer needs structural changes. Now we get down to grammar, spelling and other mechanical aspects to your writing. I may recommend a complex copy edit or a simple copy edit depending on the kind of writing that is provided. If the topic is highly technical or the writing requires more time to edit than the average, a complex copy edit will be a better option.
Samples:
Proofreading
Proofreading is done at the very end of the editing phase. Your writing may only require a proofread where I will check for formatting issues, spelling mistakes or missing/wrong words. This is the cleanup phase.
Samples:
Writing
As writer, I am:
Curious
I'm interested in knowing what message you are trying to get across, so expect many questions as I try to get to the heart of your goals.
Creative
I like to think outside the box, so I may propose ideas that are outside of the norm. This approach simply serves to provide you with more options with which to work.
Engaged
When I take on a project, I seek to provide my best work. As a result, I will check in to ensure we are on the same page, adjusting as necessary along the way.
I offer the following services for people looking for writing assistance
(Feel free to contact me if you have something else in mind; we can discuss your project and determine whether we’re a good fit)
Back cover copywriting
Copy editing is done after the text is well organized and no longer needs structural changes. Now we get down to grammar, spelling and other mechanical aspects to your writing. I may recommend a complex copy edit or a simple copy edit depending on the kind of writing that is provided. If the topic is highly technical or the writing requires more time to edit than the average, a complex copy edit will be a better option.
Samples:
Blog or article writing
Proofreading is done at the very end of the editing phase. Your writing may only require a proofread where I will check for formatting issues, spelling mistakes or missing/wrong words. This is the cleanup phase.