Debra is an incredible asset to my writing process. I initially retained Debra to edit my debut novel and got so much more: development editor, sensitivity editor, copy editor, and writing coach, all in one! Not only did she help improve my manuscript, but she has pushed me to grow as a writer. Her insightful perspectives have helped sculpt the content of my stories. She provides thorough explanations of all her proposed changes and the “why” behind her suggestions. Through her process, she has coached (pushed) me to be a better writer, assisting me in finding (and polishing) my voice as an author. She is my go-to, and I would highly recommend her to any author wanting to bring their writing to the next level.
S. Virts | Author, Entrepreneur, Founder of FCi Federal
I knew what I needed: someone who would be kind but direct (in a kind and gentle way, of course). A close reader. Someone who reads a lot. Someone analytical and critical in the best sense of those words. Someone who listens really, really well and who would ask questions about things I hadn’t thought about. I needed someone who would see the structure I was proposing and who could probe, push, question, and praise my efforts while always encouraging a look at the big picture.
I found Debra–who is all of those things, and more.
I am an older writer who left writing for many years after getting an MFA. Despite my background and a few publications in literary journals, even once upon a time an agent, I had lost pretty much all of my confidence but the flame was still burning for some reason. I couldn’t give up trying. I found Debra and after an initial consultation, we began working on an outline of a novel with a structure, movement, thematic ideas, and psychologically refined characters. She talked me (very gently) out of some not-great ideas, for which I am grateful. I recently started writing the actual novel according to our structure, and while it is hard work, obviously, the existence of a solid outline is making the project feel more manageable–yes, and even fun!
J. Wolff | Author, Fiction
Debra provided wise guidance and perceptive editing support as we developed a pitch and a plan for getting my manuscript into the hands of agents and editors. Having her with me for the strangely formulaic and otherwise very lonely process of putting my work out there, grounded me and gave me the boost I needed whenever my confidence or energy flagged. She was my ally, steadfast, present, and smart, keeping my project on course, doing much of the necessary and tedious research into appropriate agents and presses, and working with me, patiently, to write a killer synopsis and query letter. Working with her was a gift.”
T. Winn | Author
Debra is a terrific guide through an often stressful, mystifying process. I signed up for an agent pitch event, and in preparation worked with her to refine my query and create a recommended “elevator pitch” for a novel. Her insights about how to shift gears, distilling my literary novel into a pithy description, were invaluable. Two of the three agents I pitched requested additional pages. I had plenty of trepidation about the required 180-shift to a marketing lens, but thanks to Debra’s guidance I had a great, friendly experience at the event itself — rooted in the friendly, collegial, and very on point work with Debra!
G. Walsh | Author
There are few things that matter to me as much as my writing, so sharing my work with a professional book coach was fraught. What if Debra didn’t like my writing? What if she did? What if she didn’t ‘get it?’ What if she pushed me in a direction I didn’t want to go? Would I lose my ‘voice?’ Would my writing still be mine?
The cacophony of questions and concerns that were roiling me prior to my first session weren’t so much answered by my work with Debra as made irrelevant. From the start, Debra’s focus, energy, and diverse skills were trained on elevating the quality of my writing and equipping me with insights and approaches I needed to realize my vision for my book. She was a considerate challenger and committed champion, a curious questioner and generous provider, a productive prodder and an engaged and engaging partner. “Coach” is an apt term for the role Debra fulfills, if a coach is someone as invested as you are in your writing who doesn’t so much fill the gaps in your skills as furnish the raw materials for you to construct a bridge from where you are to where you want to be.
One of my favorite things about working with Debra is that while she has a system or process that she uses (in my case, the Fiction Blueprint), she always deploys it as a means and not an end. In other words, Debra offers a framework for the writing process—from conception through final revision—that the client adopts, adapts, and adjusts to meet their needs. Rather than being confined by the blueprint, I was—under Debra’s guidance and facilitation—able to use it as a foundation to explore and expand my creativity and craft.
After years of feeling as if I were on an island in terms of my writing, it was great to have some company. Debra didn’t just help me write better, she helped me realize my strengths as an artist and how to deploy them more effectively. Debra also helped me understand what it would take for me to grow in my craft and then shared practical insights and approaches for nurturing that growth. I emerged from my work with Debra not just better equipped as a writer but with deeper appreciation for both the work and joy of writing.
L. Greenspun | Author, Project Manager
Debra is a masterful wordsmith. I’m always impressed by her knowledge of grammar. Her phrasing and organization are elegant and precise. She is patient, available with a quick text or email, and a thoughtful listener with a rare ability to step into one’s thoughts regardless of their complexity. Not once did she let me gloss over technical passages that would not be fully comprehensible to lay readers. She held me to the highest standard. As a result, my writing has improved, and my textbooks are elegant. Technical information and easy reading balance in a way that I, a first-time textbook writer, could not have achieved on my own. Debra elevated my books from an amateurish adventure to a professional resource that holds up. I often have her voice in my head now as I write!
S. Weiss | Author, Chiropractor, Yoga Teacher
Debra was very professional in her approach to understanding our needs and timeline. I found her to be efficient and effective in her editing, and she provided helpful comments and language suggestions to replace problematic sentences and structure. Debra was also comfortable with the technical content and with reviewing the syntax of scientific citations. I highly recommend Debra as an editor for her editing skills, but also for her impressive communication and coaching abilities.
M. Seserman | American Cancer Society, Health Systems Manager
When I started working with Debra I had no confidence in myself as a writer. I could write, but I didn’t know how to organize my thoughts on paper in ways that were engaging to the reader, and my punctuation was sloppy. Debra helped me identify and fix those problems. Kindly and thoughtfully, she pointed out where I needed to make changes and pushed me to put more of myself on the page. With her help, I have been able to do as many re-writes as my book needed, each time gaining trust in my process and confidence in my ability to tackle whatever comes up. I have taken and continue to take risks that I could never have imagined taking. The result is that I now have a product I can confidently share with the publishing house of my dreams.
J. McInerney | Writer, Psychotherapist