Tag: Writing
-
What is Line Editing?
In a previous post, I wrote about the dev (developmental) editing process, during which the dev editor works with the author to shape the ideas and structure for a book or story. Now I’m going to tell you a little about line editing. Line editing? Sometimes called substantive editing, line editing is the gratifying but…
-
What is Line Editing?
Line Editing can improve the quality of your manuscript and the quality of your work by revealing the strengths, weaknesses, and style of your writing.
-
Story Obstacle #2: Wishing Your story Was Different.
Last week, I identified Obstacle #1 to storytelling: believing that your story doesn’t matter. Here’s Obstacle #2: wishing your story was different. Both obstacles can arise when you believe that your experiences haven’t been impressive enough, your suffering great enough, or your life interesting enough. But you might also wish your story was different when…
-
Story Obstacle #1 of 10: Thinking Your Story Doesn’t Matter
The people who attend my storytelling workshops come from a diversity of backgrounds. Some are comfortable speaking in public, some are not. Some are naturally talkative while others are accustomed to staying in the background. But, unless they’re already experienced storytellers, they all face obstacles in the form of beliefs which limit their creativity and…
-
An Editor Can Uphold or Dismantle Systemic Racism
The racial composition of the publishing industry impedes our nation’s efforts to reconcile with its past, atone for its crimes, and learn from its mistakes.
-
Things A Writer Needs
If you’re considering writing your first book, you may be wondering what you’ll need to get started and what you’ll need to keep going. Here’s a short(ish) list of the things I recommend to clients at various stages of their writing journeys, whether they’re starting out, smack in the middle, or have finally finished that…
-
5 Things To Watch, Read, and Talk About In The Week Ahead
Roxane Gay’s got a Substack called The Audacity, which she describes as “writing that boldly disregards normal restraints.” Every week she publishes recommendations for books, journalisms, and culture in a newsletter called The Roundup. In addition to writing brilliantly, it is clear that Roxane Gay spends a lot of time reading and watching TikTok. Human…
-
13 Questions To Ask About Your Book
The majority of my clients are men and women of color dedicated to social justice, healing, and spirituality who have shaped their lives around their passions and beliefs. Most of them are already sharing their wisdom and knowledge through their work but all of them are longing for something more. They want to get it…
-
A Few Thoughts on “Playing Both Sides”
My mom’s a Puerto Rican, my dad’s a Jew , and I grew up in The Bronx. Last week on LinkedIn, Linda Espinosa Valencia reposted a TikTok of storyteller Christopher Rivas talking about how easily, when it comes to racist dynamics, brown people can play “both sides.” To Christopher Rivas’ observation I add, and when they’re mixed, they…