My job is to help you to get the bones of your story right.
substantive editing of books and stories
Whether you’re working on a novel or a short story, a memoir or some other form of non-fiction, I will help you to make your story more vivid by applying principles of escalating tension and deepening insight.
story editing for film
The film industry is scrupulous about story structure. I will guide you through the three-act model and show you how liberating it can be.
children’s literature
Young readers demand a driving plot, a conceptually consistent fictional world, and zero condescension from the author. Being a successful kids’ writer myself, I can help you to get the most out of your young people’s project.
outline analysis
I can help you to shave weeks, even months, off your writing process by analyzing your story outline before you start to flesh it out.
Substantive editing of books and stories
Whether you’re working on a novel or a short story, a memoir or some other form of non-fiction, I will help you to make your story more vivid by applying principles of escalating tension and deepening insight. To make sure you’re building your story on a strong foundation, I offer feedback on elements such as plot, characterization, and themes. In each round of substantive editing, I will provide you with
- extensive written notes
- follow-up support by phone and email.
The notes will
- celebrate areas that are strong
- identify areas that are weak
- offer alternative approaches and strategies
- include an overview of the manuscript and, with full-length works, a chapter-by-chapter breakdown
My goal is to draw the best from you as a writer.
“Your suggestions literally flooded me with awe and appreciation.” Pam Withers, author of 15 best-selling young-adult books, including the Take It To The Extreme series
“Your notes are amazing. You have clearly and tactfully articulated the book’s problems while remaining totally optimistic about its potential. Your breakdown of structure coupled with specific suggestions for action is fantastic. You’ve given the author LOTS to work with. Oh, bless your soul.”Taryn Boyd, managing editor, Whitecap Books
Contact me for a free estimate. top
Story editing for film
The film industry is scrupulous about story structure. I will guide you through the three-act model and show you how liberating it can be. In each round of story editing, I provide the writer with extensive notes. I applaud what’s working, and I identify areas where the story could be strengthened, opening up new possibilities.
“Thanks to you, my characters are running towards the script, instead of scattering in all sorts of unmotivated directions. I am thrilled to write today, instead of terrified. Thanks for helping me find my story … and my sanity.” Nettie Wild, director and screenwriter of Hunger and A Place Called Chiapas (Genie Award: Best Documentary)
“This is all incredibly helpful, especially the three-act structure. Thank you! Thank you!” Letitia Sears, screenwriter, The Ambassadors
Contact me for a free estimate. top
Children’s literature
Young readers demand a driving plot, a conceptually consistent fictional world, and zero condescension from the author. Being a successful kids’ writer myself, I can help you to get the most out of your young people’s project. My own plays for young audiences have been honoured three times at the Chalmers Children’s Playwriting Awards. My scripts have been translated into several languages and performed around the world, including in prestigious mountings at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC and the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. I have contributed several songs and poems to Sesame Street. As an editor of young people’s material, I have contributed to everything from picture books for the very young to novels for sophisticated teen readers. Along the way, it has been my honour to work with several award-winning children’s writers, including Edeet Ravel and Karen Rivers, as well as many talented first-time authors.
“I’ve just read your notes and I feel like I’m standing in a meteor shower. Wow. You are right about absolutely everything.” - Rebecca Murdock, author of Rocco’s Wings
“Thanks for being such a tremendous help to us. Every writer feels precious when it comes to making changes, but your useful suggestions and comments guided us so smoothly through our writing process that working with you has been a total pleasure. You said that your role was to help us to get The Moon Rock to really rock. In our opinion, it now most certainly does.” - Vladimir and Boriana Todorov, co-authors of The Moon Rock
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Outline analysis
I can help you to shave weeks, even months, off your writing process by analyzing your story outline before you start to flesh it out. If you make sure that you have a reliable map in place, you’re much more likely to get where you want to go! That said, I encourage writers to stay loose with their outlines—an outline is meant to be a guide, not a limitation—and to stay open to changes in direction during the writing process.
“Wow, Colin! Your comments are beyond what I expected. Your input is brilliant. No wonder you’re so highly regarded.Your comments have made me see the wisdom in writing an outline beforehand, at least a tentative one.” Julie Lawson, winner of the Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize and author of Seaborne
“See it [an outline analysis] as a career investment, an intense one-on-one writers’ workshop. Or a big timesaver and confidence booster. Colin has a marvelous talent for working with both people and words (along with a super sense of humor), I’ve been particularly happy with his work and can heartily recommend him.” Pam Withers, author of 15 best-selling young-adult books, including the Take It To The Extreme series
Contact me for a free estimate. top