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Helping You With Your Writing Project Although every writing project is unique, here are some illustrations of how I could edit your work or coach you in specific situations.
You have always wanted to write a novel. You've a story you want to tell. But, before you write, you want to know what
makes a novel succeed and sell.
I can help you:
- find the dramatic core of your story and create a vision and structure for your book that you can rely on again and again.
- understand the key elements of well-crafted and highly-marketable fiction
- develop the skills you'll need to write fiction successfully
- create powerful characters and story
lines that others will rush to read.
You are a professional (psychologist, medical doctor, attorney, health practitioner, educator, financial advisor, business owner) who wants to write a mass-market book out of your experience with clients. You are a competent writer with a lot to say. You want to know how to land an agent and a publishing contract and how to turn what you know into an accessible and successful book.
I will help you:
- translate your professional skills and expertise into compelling writing
- hone your vision and create a unique pitch for your book
- prepare a gripping book proposal and
powerful sample chapter that will allow agents to see the many
positive benefits and the important experience you'll bring to
readers.
You want to write a memoir. You believe your personal story will offer a "good read" and are willing to write honestly and accurately about the hard and happy events that have shaped who you are.
I will:
- help you take the project from the slim thread of an idea to a ready-to-market book
- show you non-fiction techniques that will let you write with depth and shape your life's events into a dramatic and compelling story
- be supportive of and thoughtful about the
sometimes difficult personal and literary choices you'll have to
make as part of writing your book
You've traveled, and you want to bring your experience and the expertise you've developed to a wide audience. You want to write some articles or maybe a book.
I can help you:
- find the core of each article and shape it into work that is focused, centered, sequenced and engaging
- use a "voice" that appeals to and invites lay readers into your writing
- define and make use of the unique assets (such as professional quality photographs) that can accompany your text
- turn articles into chapters with themes
that create a vision and structure for your book
You've written a novel and sent it off to several agents (or publishers) who have passed on it. You want to know what you must do to sell this book
I will:
- read the novel focusing, first, on finding the book you want to create and, second, on making it one that agents will be drawn to
- determine the novel's strongest assets and unique features and work with you
to create a plan for revision that builds on your book's literary strengths
and commercial assets.
- help you develop a persuasive query
letter that results in agents and publishers asking to read your
entire manuscript
You've successfully written fiction or non-fiction, and now you want to write a film.
I can:
- help you adapt what you've written or start a new project
- introduce you to the essential elements of dramatic screen writing
- help you think visually and write cinematically
- successfully use screenplay form and
structure to artfully develop your film
You are a business person and an engaging and articulate speaker. Now you want your writing (memos, newsletters, reports, letters, marketing materials) to be as polished and professional as your presentations are.
I will:
- help you make use of your presentation skills to create dynamic writing
- help you develop reliable writing strategies and create "models" that work for you
- explore ways to incorporate writing into
your work routine and provide you tools and patterns you can draw
on and return to
You've written a lot-- professionally and personally. But now you want something more. You want to find your literary self and see what you can do artistically.
I can help you:
- Be playful with elements of craft (such as image, voice, rhythm and perspective) so you can experience more range and dexterity in your writing
- Bring your heartfelt message to readers with more beauty and depth
- Explore and write about key images in your work
- Use drawing and image-making as ways of initiating and deepening your writing
- Create a writing environment that supports you artistically and allows you to take creative risks
- Work with literary forms and methods that
engage and excite you
You are a visual artist. Now you want to bring writing to your visual work.
I can help you:
- Explore and play with the dynamic relationship between words and images
- Write about and examine core images in your work and use them to develop innovative and compelling writing/art forms
- Create Writing as Art objects (such as postcards, mixed-media books, boxes) that build from both text and image
- Bring your visual sensibility and
artistic skills to your writing
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