How It Started

It may or may not have been noticed that I include “Freelance Editor” on my homepage and other parts of my website. I’ve also been advertising on my social media pages (IG and Threads), as well as, creating gigs on Fiverr and Upwork. I thought it was time that I write about it on my blog!

As an author, I’ve always loved to read (along with writing, of course). That naturally showed examples on how to properly write (and how to not properly write, Cormac McCarthy, I’m lookin’ at you), grammar usage, punctuation–the works. That also led to loving English classes in school. When writing papers, we would have to switch and give feedback. That was my first taste of editing. Oh, was it delicious. Just helping improve something gave me so much joy!

In college, working for my English and Creative Writing degree, that was tenfold. We traded stories to give feedback and other corrections. That’s where I really learned about the editing process. It still gave me that “feel good” emotion. Then, getting more involved in the writing community, I found that not many writers liked the editing process. Which, to be fair, is tedious. I definitely don’t blame them there! But that just leaves an opportunity for me to help my fellow authors.

Make It Scary

It may or may not have been noticed that I prefer all things spooky, scary, and horresque. That is exactly what I like to edit as well. *Note: I will edit other genres, I like myself a good fantasy or streamy romance once in awhile too! Feel free to reach out with your manuscript for a free 1,000 word sample edit!

There’s something special about horror that makes it my and many others favorite genre. There’s so many different types. Need a slow, mind bending, psychotic burn? Check. A survival story about the dangers of nature, man, or ourselves? Check, check, check. What about the creatures that lurk in the shadows or in the far reaches of the space? Check and check. Or brutal blood splattering violence? Checkity-check. That’s just barely scratching the surface. There’s so many subgenres to horror that I never know what I might get myself into.

Editing this genre also allows new exposure to genres that I don’t normally see. For example, I’ve editing two horror alien novels. They are completely different, but both gave me chills! Each novel is written in different character perspectives. One jumps to various characters around the world and how they deal with the discovery and survival of the alien creatures. While the other focused on a family dealing with their interpersonal issues while trying to survive an invasion.

This, too, is barely scratching into Alien Horror. I want more. Need more. I’m seeking out other novels to read in this subgenre to see what I may have been missing. There’s only expansion when it comes to the horror genre.

Even for genres that I felt I knew forward and backward, there are authors out there pushing the envelope. A recent zombie novel I edited did that. The main character turned their home on wheels into a reinforced mini tank. It was great! Their basic needs were mainly met and that left room to explore the ever present social and political issues that would still plague the world. It was an amazing commentary.

As a previously self-proclaimed scaredy cat and constant worrier, I’m always jumping to what the worst case scenarios could be. This gives me the ability to really help ramp up the chaos that a character can experience. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I want your characters to suffer. I want them to break. I want them to be on the brink of ending everything. I get to offer such ideas and sometimes those spark the author to come up with something even better (depraved) to help (torture) their characters.

Fangirling

There are not a lot of things that gets me to be a squealy, giddy, fan girl. However, the process of creation just does something to me. I will get so obsessed with the novels I help edit that I turn into an annoying fan. I will hold it in, but if you break those floodgates, I can’t be held responsible!

Seeing that spark of an idea grow and become fully realized is magic. It’s hard work. And I am SO PROUD of you for doing it! That type of magic is infectious. It helps others take their own spark and grow it. Sometimes it takes longer than others, but that doesn’t matter! What matters is that you did it! There’s a full novel at the end of it. And more people to fangirl with about it! Let’s make more fans!

Tedious Technicals

Editing is not for everyone. There are so many rules that may or may not be correct based on context or what editing guide is being followed. It’s maddening. It’s tedious. I find it fun. Learning uncommon grammar or editing rules gives me a thrill. Like I unlocked something hidden and special.

Adding a small little curved line creates such grand changes. Or switching out a word gives a sentence a new meaning. Trimming the “fat” to make sure the author’s voice shines through, so they can focus on the actual writing. Type “but,” “had,” “and,” and “then” as many times as you want. I’ll make sure to get rid of them where they aren’t needed.

These details are small and so important. I’ve always appreciated the extra details that are given in works. I’m so happy that I can use this obsessive part of myself to help others who may struggle with it.

In The End

This was mostly just a ramble about who much I like story editing. I know it’s not a cheap service. Right now, my rates are below market value and I am more than willing to talk about budgets. Things are rough, I get it. Please feel free to reach out with questions or pricing talks. I don’t bite!

I have more editing advice/bogs that I have in the works too! Hopefully I can be of help that way as well! Please be on the look out.

Until next time~