“Martha, I’m just half way through the [editorial] letter, and I wanted to take a moment and say, ‘Wow. Wow. Wow.’ The thought and effort you put into your work is astounding. Thank you so much. My head is already spinning with new ideas.”
— Kevin Ferguson
Have you been working on your fiction manuscript for so long that you’re losing perspective? You’re not sure what’s strong or weak in the book. You’re getting conflicting advice from your peers, or feel reluctant to ask busy colleagues or mentors for feedback. Maybe you even find yourself stuck, unable to complete your work in progress. Maybe you’re considering giving up on it once and for all. It’s just not good enough. It’s just not working. Wait—
As a developmental editor and writing coach of literary fiction and upmarket fiction, I’ve helped many writers facing these situations. My training and experience enable me to:
- pay close attention to your writing, from its overall structure down to individual sentences and words
- identify aspects of your plot, characters, and style that are compelling, as well as those that need more attention
- articulate why something in the text is not working — and then suggest specific options for working through the issue
- listen to your questions, to help you find your sense of direction — so that you feel excited about returning to your work
If you long for clarity, specific suggestions, and supportive insights, let’s talk about your writing project. Let me put my experience as an editor, a writer, and a teacher to work for you. My goal is to serve your voice and vision, even in those moments when you feel you’ve lost your way.
See my Editing & Coaching Services page to learn more. And please contact me if you have questions — I look forward to hearing about your writing project.