Who I Am

My story begins on the perpetually sunny U.S. Virgin Island of St. Thomas where, in order to grab a few winks of sleep, my mother would give me a notepad and pen to prevent me from climbing 2nd story railings to marvel at planes landing at the airport. The plan backfired when I kept waking her up to read her scribble stories longer than Les Miserables.

It’s a chicken and egg scenario—I’m not sure whether those scribble stories facilitated my love for writing or if the “magic” was inside me all along.

(Blame 90’s television shows…)

From there, I went on to write and edit for friends and instructors in middle and high school. Eventually, I furthered my knowledge by taking intensive grammar courses, learning the Chicago Manual and APA style guides, taking on roles outside of my scope of work within organizations, and coaching writers in fictional prose.

I’m also the walking definition of “continuing” education. As my father says, “You’re always in school for something.”

Now, I have nearly a decade’s worth of writing and editing experience, including everything from fiction novels to government white papers and nonprofit grant applications. I love the written word, and my aim is to help you tell your story, whether to a consumer audience, reader, or grant reviewer, as close as possible to the way you envision it being told.

My Editing Philosophy

My three principles are: Quality Work, Constructive Feedback, and Cordial Professionalism.

Personally, I don't believe critique needs to be scathing to be effective. If you're a writer, entrepreneur, recent graduate, hopeful graduate, short person, tall person, etc., chances are, you've already had your share of criticism by this point in life.

My feedback is thorough without being denigrating.

With that being said, that doesn't mean I handle you with kid gloves (although you won’t exactly be going up against the Joe Frazier of Track Changes). Instead, my feedback comes with evidence. The aim is for you to review a suggested edit or comment without having to ask, “Why the @*&#$! did she suggest this change?”

I point out why something doesn't work for your target audience or niche while providing resources and examples of how that can be rectified. Now, will you still shake your fist at 2 am and promise to make me rue the day I pointed out that your characters sigh so much, it’s time to either vary your actions or give them an inhaler?

That’s entirely possible.

So friends, Romans, countrymen...send me your errors.