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# Editing Services
## Why Hire An Editor?
**An editor offers objectivity with heart.**An editor is not emotionally attached to your work the way family and friends might be when they offer their help to read what you have written. However, a good editor still works from the heart and with heart, honoring that this is your creation and your voice while ensuring that your writing will be the best it can be.
**An editor performs an invaluable service.**The writer’s job is to write—the editor’s job is to edit. A professional, accomplished editor will make your words flow beyond your wildest dreams, helping to strengthen and bring clarity to your writing voice. An editor catches and repairs things, too. After you have looked at the same written materials dozens and dozens of times, you can become accustomed to seeing things the way you envision them. Your mind will fill in missing words and phrases, even though they are not actually on the page. An editor’s task is to make sure that what you envision is what comes through in your writing.
**An editor provides an extra set of eyes.**Having another pair of eyes review your material is essential to creating written work that is the best it can be. Hiring a good editor is a wise, and necessary, investment. Editors check for a lot more than spelling and grammar. Editors can check for continuity and flow in your storyline and identify areas where there may be confusion for readers. They provide feedback about your characters and dialogue—identifying where further development may be needed. Editors can call attention to areas in your writing where facts may need further checking—and even verify those facts for you. In memoir writing, the editor can offer perspective on how to tell your story so that others can benefit from your experiences. An editor will work with you to assure that your unique voice comes through your writing. What an editor does is make your written work the best it can be. Using an editor makes your work more marketable.
## Why Work with Donna?
**My Experience.**I have edited dozens of books and won multiple editing awards.
**My Motivation.** Words are powerful and extremely magical. I especially enjoy working with authors to bring out the magic and power of your words, taking the reader where you—the author—want to lead them.
**My Heart.**No matter how big or small the project, I work with heart. I honor the work you’re doing to bring your writing to life. I understand that especially when working on writing that involves your life experiences, the journey can be quite emotional. I am sensitive to your process and work with you to honor the emotions that may arise. I see myself as your midwife, helping you birth your writing and ensuring that your work has a safe delivery into the world. I also have a large community network and do my best to connect you with other people and services to get your work out there and into the hands of others.
**My Diverse Background.**Some works need an editor with expertise in a particular area. I especially love the genres of memoir, biography, and personal growth and development. I also work in a variety of other genres, including historical fiction, visionary and fantasy fiction, health and nutrition, spirituality, death and dying, parenting, adolescent psychology, business, entrepreneurship, as well as children’s books that address social and environmental issues.
(*My editing fees are aligned with and similar to typical editing rates in the Western United States.*)
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## **Manuscript Review**
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Oftentimes, a completed manuscript is not yet ready for the editing process. Sometimes, the author seeks a review in order to get clarity about what’s missing or what is still needed. At other times, the editor makes the recommendation, or even requires, that a manuscript review be performed before entering into the three-part editing process. A manuscript review provides initial feedback regarding what is working well and where more development is required. Areas of assessment include general storyline, description of place and settings, character development, as well as the use of dialogue. In the case of memoir, I look at the depth and breadth of what you wish to convey, taking into consideration the story you want to tell about yourself, who your audience may be, and what you wish to have them gain from your experiences. As a part of a manuscript review, I offer examples and suggestions to give you a sense of where you’ll go next.
## **Developmental Edit**
#### **(1st level edit)**
The developmental edit focuses on big picture elements of your story, whether nonfiction or fiction. This first level of editing looks at the objectives of your story and your story’s message to ensure that the content is being communicated clearly to your intended audience. At this level of editing, I focus on the story structure, point(s) of view, style and tone, flow and pacing, plot and plot holes, character and scene development, dialogue and voicing, continuity, logic, and length to consider from a higher vantage point what is working well, what isn’t, and how the story can be improved. This is the big picture edit that comes before the line edit and proofread. The developmental edit may result in a substantial rewrite of your manuscript, which could even necessitate a second developmental edit, as this level of editing is focused on the entirety of your story, which could leave you with the need to reconsider certain story threads, characters, settings, and conversations that may not be working the way you intended. Although this level of editing can definitely shake up what you initially wrote, my intention is to offer feedback that will help you make your story everything you dreamed of it becoming.
## **Line Edit**
#### **(2nd level edit)**
Line editing (sometimes referred to as copy editing), is the second level of edit that is done *after* your manuscript has gone through the developmental editing process, and after you’ve had the opportunity to address the technical aspects of your manuscript and “tighten” or modify your storyline. A line editor will help identify issues in sentence structure, such as run-on sentences, verb tenses, and word usage; identify clichés and encourage you to “stretch yourself” and create your own analogies and metaphors; ensure that the tone is consistent; and fine-tune your choice of words and syntax of your manuscript. Although the line edit will offer grammar-related changes, the main purpose of a line edit is to improve flow and suggest line edits to strengthen elements of your story, including scenes and characters. Unlike the proofread, a line edit is not meant to *only* point out typos.
## **Proofreading**
#### **(3rd level edit)**
Many people think that editing and proofreading are synonymous. A proofread is an in-depth, line-by-line, final read-through of your manuscript to ensure that all spelling, grammar, and punctuation is correct, and details, such as formatting issues and style, are consistent. It is performed by a person other than the editor to ensure that a fresh set of eyes reviews your manuscript one last time following the line edit. I work closely with my proofreader to prepare your manuscript for the proofread and to then review all proposed changes made by the proofreader, who works with *The Chicago Manual of Style* (style guide) and an edition of *Merriam-Webster* (dictionary).
**PLEASE NOTE**: For all levels of editing, you will receive your document in an electronic Microsoft Word file with areas noted (using “comments” and “track changes”) where changes are needed, along with any suggested modifications. If we agree that I will make changes, those will also be notated.
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# Writing Services
**Writing is personal.** Working with a professional writer is a relationship that needs to fit and work well for both people. It’s important to find a writing coach, partner author, or ghostwriter with whom you feel comfortable.
The goal of partnering with a professional writer is to allow your voice and message to come through in a heartfelt, authentic, and polished style. It’s important to work with someone who will turn that aim into a reality.
I offer a complimentary 30-minute telephone consultation so that we can get to know each other and you can learn more about me and the services I offer.
## **Coaching**
I guide you through the writing process to help you unfold and connect with your story so that you can bring it forth and share it with others. I offer a safe and supportive working partnership that allows you to discover the story you need to tell. Please visit my  page to learn more about using a writing coach.
## **Partner****Authoring**
My partner authoring services include in-depth knowledge and understanding of how to take your drafts and ideas and work with you to make them ready for publication.
The key to a good partnering relationship is the assurance that your voice will come through. My goal is to help you create a finished work that you can feel proud of. It’s important for you to feel that the end result is truly yours and conveys the message you want to share.
## **Ghostwriting &Contract Writing**
As with partner authoring, when using a ghostwriter or contract writer (which can include research), it’s important that you feel confident about the person who will put your writing together on your behalf.
In either role, I will write for you, being sure to convey your message and your unique story in the manner that most matches with your voice, style, and personality.
# Musings
## 
by  | Jan 20, 2025 | 
As we approached the Winter Solstice in December, I was introduced to the concept of wintering by writer and artist Anna Brones . Through her, I learned about author Kathleen May and her book by the same name. I’ve since begun reading May’s book: Wintering: The Power to Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times .
 Anna also wrote about her perceptions of the month of January. She calls this month the “in between.” Contrary to what most of us have been taught about the first month of the year and the need to hit the ground running, she sees January as a time of hibernation, marination, and percolation. I love her perception and the reminder to take our cue from nature.
by  | Nov 18, 2024 | 
The blog that follows was written before the election took place—I purposely wrote this prior to November 6, knowing I would have my own thoughts, feelings, and emotions to process; knowing that the election results would leave us with winners and losers; knowing that we would have voters who are thrilled and overjoyed, voters who feel devastated and disheartened, and even many who will be angry.
 Rather than project the aftermath of such sentiments before I’ve had the opportunity to sit with my own, I chose to focus on another aspect of our humanity: compassion. And what especially brought this front and center for me were my recent health issues. So I’ll start there …
by  | Aug 19, 2024 | 
Summer reminds me of what I loved most about being a child. I couldn’t wait for school to get out, for days filled with bike rides, roller skates, shorts and midriff tops, going barefoot, donning bathing suits, and lathering on Coppertone lotion. I can still smell the Coppertone. Days spent at the beach or at our local swim resort or our neighbor’s Doughboy pool were some of my most favorite times. And nights that included a bike or car ride to our local Baskin-Robbins were the absolute best!
by  | Jul 18, 2024 | 
We define our quest for perfection by all we attempt to do and what we accomplish, not realizing that our perfection comes from allowing ourselves to be who we are, in all our splendid imperfectness. Our imperfections are what make us beautiful—inside and out. It is from our acknowledgment of being perfectly imperfect that we discover grace and humility, compassion and kindness, and above all else, love of self and others.
by  | Jun 17, 2024 | 
Through the many decades of marriage (more than four now and counting), what I’ve learned is that we need four main ingredients to live a good life for ourselves and with those we love: ease, grace, and gratitude that I wrote about in Mosaic Heart, along with flow.
by  | May 8, 2024 | 
Recently, I saw a fellow author’s Facebook post with pics showing the home remodel she and her husband are doing that includes a beautiful writing space looking out at the landscape of their mountain surroundings. Within the space, they’ve included a fireplace and more elements to nurture her writing world. I was immediately envious of what she is creating, momentarily contemplating whether not having a dedicated writing room is part of the reason I’m currently not writing. Yes, I actually went there! So where is my writing space? I wondered. Why am I having such a difficult time finding just the right spot for writing my second book?
by  | Apr 8, 2024 | 
Unfurling … The word itself grabbed me. I love how it sounds. I love saying it out loud. And I love its meaning. According to Oxford Languages, it is “to make or become spread out from a rolled or folded state, especially in order to be open to the wind.” … I love the idea of unfurling in the early spring. Like the fronds, we are beginning to awaken and open ourselves to the growing light of the sun and the warming of our days.
by  | Mar 11, 2024 | 
Maybe you’ve heard a whisper urging you to start writing your story. Maybe that beckoning began recently or maybe you’ve heard it for years. But maybe up to now, you’ve dismissed the possibility of putting your story down on paper, considering it a silly whim or pipe dream. From my perspective, if there is even an inkling of truth to what I’ve just described, it’s well worth your time and attention to pause and consider why you haven’t yet begun and whether it’s time.
by  | Feb 12, 2024 | 
I don’t take enough time to celebrate. It’s easy to celebrate the big stuff, like a birthday or the holidays, or big accomplishments, but what about all the small daily moments I engage in, even privately? I made a commitment and set a goal at the end of January to give myself three hours a day devoted to me: to journal and reflect, to move, to read for pleasure, to play piano, to write, to meditate, and to engage in any other activity that is an act of focused self-love.
by  | Dec 18, 2023 | 
Every religion and spiritual path references the light and the dark. At this time of year, no matter our spiritual path, we sit in the darkness, awaiting the growing days and the returning light. I offer these words to you with the intention that you will connect with your individual light and prepare to shine it into the world, remembering that light can and must prevail.
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