I edit for storytelling

I offer what I call story editing, an editing approach also called “developmental” or “substantive” editing. This includes line editing, which focuses on individual words and sentences as well as overall story elements. I was a story editor when I wrote screenplays for an animation studio, and that fits what I do best. For more detail, see about the editor.

What that doesn't mean:
While I will catch 95% or better of grammatical and punctuation shortcomings and will take your manuscript to the level of most professional writers, I'm not a copyeditor who is expert at all aspects of grammar and punctuation. My strengths lie with story and narrative craft. I can recommend to you an excellent copyeditor.

Sharpen your manuscript before an edit

If you read the Reader Reviews for Flogging the Quill, Crafting a Novel that Sells on Amazon.com, you’ll get an idea of how it helps writers with their craft.

Cautionary words from a pro The single biggest mistake self-publishers make is not engaging a qualified editor to make sure their book is professional in craft and storytelling.

See what bestselling author M.J. Rose (once a self-publisher) says in this excerpt from an article on the Huffington Post.

And here’s advice from the author of How to Make, Market and Sell Ebooks – All for Free.

My editorial philosophy

I respect your voice. While I will offer suggestions, usually for reasons of clarity, meaning, or pace, I do not rewrite to fit my way of saying things. I aim to help you achieve your intent.

• If it’s to describe, then to create description that evokes the scene.
• If to increase tension, then to help create crisp writing for effect that does the job well.
• If to characterize, then to help create nuances through action, description, and dialogue that bring characters to life.
• If to create a riveting plot, then to suggest twists, point out detours and going astray, to restructure--I’ve even suggested new endings

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