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My Mission
Statement:
Using what I have learned in advertising, at the newspaper, in my own writing, in the editing that I have received, I will apply those principles to help other writers produce the best possible work while retaining their individual, unique voices. I will remember what it feels like to have someone else try to remake me in their image, and I will strive to differentiate between mechanical problems and stylistic problems. The latter are flexible; the former, never! In the Lord's strength (because sometimes it's beyond me!) I will show mercy and compassion to the inexperienced and those who have big dreams of beautiful words and thoughts, far beyond their current abilities. I will work to be a teacher and a friend whenever possible, but always sensitive when it is in both our interests to set them free to flounder and struggle on their own -- because letting them drain me of my energy and enthusiasm and time will only harm the others I work with. And if they keep holding my hand, they will never grow.
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My
Philosophy:
Sometimes it's easier to describe what something is by discussing what it isn't. I don't edit for "litra-chah." I edit people who want their stories told and aren't ashamed of writing fun, popular genres. I edit people who want to make you laugh and cry and shiver and cheer -- and make you think. I'm going to concentrate on your mechanics, because it doesn't matter how "beautiful" your sentences are if people can't understand them. I'm going to edit so your pages flow smoothly and the readers don't have to stop every three sentences and re-read it and think about it before they can go on. That's a waste of time, and people don't want to have to work when they read. So I'm going to put grammar, spelling, punctuation, structure, logic and the "Huh?" Factor at the top of the list. Logic says in the sentence: "Tom stopped to yell at the little old man carrying chocolate bars wearing a bright red coat who smiled at me," it was the little old man who smiled -- but the first go-through might make you think the chocolate bars were wearing the coat and the coat smiled. That's the "Huh?" Factor. You have to stop and re-read the sentence and apply logic. Today's readers don't have time to stop and apply logic. I'll work with you on straightening out your sequences so you know who does what to whom. And re-arrange your sentences so we don't have to worry about where to use 'who' and 'whom.' I'll work with you to say in eight words what you originally said in fifteen. Because the fewer words you use, the faster and more smoothly your story or article flows, the harder it is for your reader to put it down. If it's fiction, I'll work with you to make sure your heroine isn't Too Stupid to Live, and your hero has something more than testosterone between his ears. I'll yell at you if your characters are acting on a blank stage. I'll nag you until the sequence of events make sense, and your characters don't pay their restaurant bill before they place their order -- or they get out to take a walk before they park the car. If you have non-fiction, I'll ask questions to get more information, and make suggestions for a clearer presentation of your point. I will apply to your novel, novella, short story, article, non-fiction book, stage play and screenplay the rules and patterns I learned with a BA in Theater, an MA in Film, over 40 fan-fiction short stories, 40+ small press novels and novellas, 8 years of proofreading in advertising and 2+ years working for a business publisher, 1 Dreamrealms nomination, 8 EPPIE nominations, and 1 EPPIE win, plus editing for editing for 4 e-publishers and winning the "Editor of the Year" nomination from one of them. My name might not be on your book, but I'll treat it like it was mine. A wise man once said, "God don't make no junk." Since I work for Him, I won't let you make junk, either. Michelle Levigne |
Services:
Proofreading Transcribing/scanning documents from typed pages to .doc files Mechanics (grammar, spelling, punctuation, sequencing, continuity) In-depth analysis (the dreaded red pen, and every instance of the "Huh?" Factor) Screenplay and stage play editing/analysis and critique NOTE: I charge an HOURLY rate, not by the word or page.
Credentials: 10 years in the editorial department at a community newspaper Over 40 short stories and poems in fandom Over 40 novels and novellas published with small presses Editor/publisher of a fanzine and a short fiction magazine 2+ years working for a business publisher, changing transcripts into book chapters 8 years proofreading for a national advertising agency 6+ years editing for various small press publishers BA in theater and English MA in film/writing Member of the Christian Pen editors/proofreaders group |
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