Here's the short version: I have a Bachelor of Arts in Honors English and psychology, with minors in creative writing and professional writing, from The Ohio State University. For over seven years, I have worked in numerous editing and writing positions, with my most recent positions involving developmental editing and plot outlining for independent publishing companies, as well as creative writing and copy editing projects. You can check out the long version on my About Me page.

Developmental editing examines the big picture: characters, plot, pacing, believability, and world-building. As an editor, I provide concrete suggestions for improvement. Rather than simply stating, “The pacing is slow here,” I will point out which parts of the scene could be cut and explain why. After I review your entire manuscript, you will receive an editorial letter detailing your manuscript’s strengths, weaknesses, audience/marketability, and general patterns of grammatical errors. Editorial suggestions are often subjective, so you can embrace the changes you like and dismiss those you don’t. I aim to stay loyal to your vision of the story and serve as a springboard for ideas. Here's what my developmental editing services include: + Developmental comments within your manuscript + Light line edits (this is not a substitute for copy editing) + Chapter-by-chapter revision list identifying potential problems and solutions + Fifteen-page editorial letter assessing the novel's strengths/weaknesses, plot, pacing, characterization, themes, audience, marketability, and general patterns of grammar/style errors

Copy editing involves correcting typos and grammatical errors. It also includes style changes, such as eliminating wordiness within individual sentences, reducing the repetition of ideas across paragraphs, and providing more interesting word choices. Although I no longer offer copy editing as its own service, my full developmental package includes light line edits to help elevate your prose to the next level.

My manuscript assessment is a more affordable version of a developmental edit. While it doesn't include document comments or light line edits, it does give you my honest feedback as a reader through a ten-page editorial letter assessing the novel's strengths/weaknesses, plot, pacing, characterization, themes, audience, marketability, and general patterns of grammatical errors.

That's my private coaching package for writers who have always wanted to write a novel but haven't gotten around to finishing one yet. In four sessions (one per week), I will work with you via video chat, phone, or live text chat to flesh out all those ideas in your head and pave a clear path forward. I want to spark or reignite your passion for your work in progress. I will be your sounding board, your brainstorming partner, your biggest fan—the person who cares as much about your story as you do. Here’s how it works: + For each round, I will present a numbered list of questions about your story idea. + Once you answer them, via email or video chat, I will provide feedback and ask follow-up questions. + Once we confirm the path forward, we'll move on to the next round and repeat. + After all four rounds, I will give you an organized document of what we’ve discussed, including a tentative plot outline, character notes, and a writing schedule to help you complete your first draft within a year. To give you a better idea of the process, you can look at this sample of the four rounds of development for a particular project: ROUND 1: Big Picture + Your personal goals + Genre, audience, length, POV, style, working title + Main conflict + Major character arcs and motivation + One-sentence log line ROUND 2: Set Pieces + Setting and world-building + Minor characters + Five major plot points ROUND 3: Skeleton Outline + Chapter-by-chapter outline (core ideas) + Plot twists, reveals, suspense, and tension ROUND 4: Writing Plan + First line and opening scene + Writing schedule + Personal inspiration, resources, and routines

I usually begin with a consultation, wherein I provide suggested revisions and feedback for the first 2,500 words of your manuscript. If we are creatively compatible, then we can further discuss your goals and timeline for the project, before initiating and signing a written contract. To reserve your spot in my schedule for a full edit, a 50% deposit on the project’s value (based on the total word count) is required at the time of signing. For smaller projects, such as my Write Your Damn Novel package, the total value must be paid upfront. After that, you can send me your manuscript in Microsoft Word or Google Docs format, along with a list of any specific concerns you might have. As the author, you retain full ownership and copyright of the manuscript at all times.

My preferred method of communication is email (quotidianwriter@gmail.com). However, for discussions after a developmental edit, we can chat over the phone or through a video chat on Skype or Zoom, depending on your preference.

Payments can be made through PayPal or by check. Invoices will be sent through email.

Embrace feedback as part of the writing process. Whether it comes from a professional editor or a critique partner, don’t let constructive criticism drag you down. When you first receive a marked-up manuscript, you may feel a hit to your self-esteem and think that you’re not cut out to be a writer. But you are a writer, by virtue of writing. Don’t equate criticism with rejection. Let it inspire you to improve and motivate you to revise, revise, revise.