Editing

What a Little Star Can Do

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flowers on opened book

When I tell you this blew my mind… It BLEW. My. MIND.

Now, before I sit down to edit any client’s book, I have a little ritual I partake in. Goes a little something like this…

I take a few deep breaths. Maybe I move my body around a little to release any stagnant energy. And I go to my crystal collection. I pick out whichever crystals feel supportive for the particular book I’m working on. Each time, my little crinoid fossil star wants to be included when I’m editing.

Every time.

Considering I’m a bit of a crystal junkie, I feel like I should have known the significance of this little star-shaped fossil, but I didn’t. I just liked that they were ancient fossils in the shape of stars and they were quite affordable, so I got a few.

Right before a recent book reading—not to be confused for reading a book, but an intuitive reading for someone’s book—this crystal was like, “Pick me!” Just like normal.

When I do the intuitive readings, I share which helpers (crystals, plants, songs, etc.) come along and what their properties are, and I realized I never actually looked up what these little crystals meant.

And when I looked it up, I found this:

“Fossils are thought to be a wonderful tool to assist you in moving from the old to the new and to be receptive to the fresh, innovative forces that are available to you. Fossils may assist you in your quest for transition, transformation, and personal growth, helping you to understand the process of change. They may also help you instill quality and excellence in your environment.” – Source

Um, WHAT? I didn’t even know this, and I love how supportive this little fossil is for the work I do—which is literally to take something and transform it into its best form. I take books and content from their previous form to a polished form while offering a fresh perspective on how to elevate their words and stories.

And me being me, I do my best to instill quality and excellence in everything I do, particularly when it comes to my work.

But how cool is that? That the stone I’ve been selecting for my editing work is perhaps one of the most perfect stones I could have found to support me in it. What a fun discovery about a little stone that’s been part of my work process for the past couple of years!

I also love that these crinoid star stems—which stem from ancient fossilized sea lilies—have also been known as fairy coins. I’d believe it. 😉

Are you a crystal junkie like me?
What crystals do you feel drawn to all the time?
And have you looked up their spiritual/metaphysical properties yet?

Fun little practice if you haven’t tried it yet…

When I Felt the Biggest YES Ever

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Imagine your skin tingling from head to toe, your heart hammering on in a dancing rhythm, your breathing quickening in excitement, and your brain lighting up and expanding with possibilities…

I can count two times in my life when I got this excited about a job offer…

The first was for an internship for a local news broadcast station right out of college. I’d met a producer while working as a media intern for my university’s sports department. After helping him out in the TV production van for a televised basketball game, he invited me to apply for the internship for the news station. He thought I might like it.

I remember walking into the newsroom and feeling the buzz of everything—and immediately felt how excited I would be to work there. I remember when he said, “It’s safe to say you got the job!” And I felt like crying because it felt like such an exciting opportunity to grow into and learn from. I remember thinking, “This feels like Disneyland!”

Yep, that excited.

Ended up completing the internship, then was offered a part-time evening production assistant job a handful of months later. And I loved working there, I truly did. Every bit of it.

But then I realized, several months later, that I wanted a job with 9-5 work hours so I could still do theatre in the evenings—for what I felt was a balanced life where I could still be creative and have a steady job. So, I loved working in the newsroom, but my other creative passions were calling for my attention.

My Disneyland needed a shift.

Around that same time, I got another invitation for a full-time job from one of my other part-time gigs that sounded like a great fit for me. That job allowed me to stretch my wings as a baby magazine editor, which I loved. That was pretty lucky!

And the second tingles-inducing job offer came a couple of years into my New York adventure…

It was a secret desire. One I wasn’t sure I could do because my career trajectory thus far hadn’t necessarily or obviously pointed to a career in my desired field. But I had privately shared it with my intuitive coach at the time, and I had written it down in my Evernote as a potential business idea. But the niggle of the idea had always been an interest of mine…

A psychic even predicted it was coming. “Watch out for August. Editing work will come in then,” he said.

While not all of his predictions were correct, this one was.

At the end of August, a book editor—the one who had helped me edit my own book back when she was a budding book editor herself—reached out to me and said she wanted to expand her stable of editors for her business to provide a more thorough editing experience… She thought I might be interested.

Y’all… When she offered me a spot in her stable, I HAPPY DANCED MYSELF OUT. I’m pretty sure I cried. It came out of left field, and it felt like the perfect job for me. Came to discover I loved learning from her and working with her. I loved learning the process of book editing, and couldn’t wait to dive into more in-depth editing types for books. And I’m blessed that I still get to work with her from time to time!

A (literal) handful of books I’ve worked on. Delighted to have a section of my bookshelf dedicated to books I’ve helped to edit or proofread!

Book editing became my absolute favorite job. I get utterly lost in the work while editing—helping the narrative become clearer, polishing up the errors and mistakes, offering words of encouragement when desired, and providing constructive criticism. I still lose time in this work since I’m having so much fun. That could be why I started my own editing business… 😉

Never have I loved a job so much—which is saying something because I’ve been fortunate enough to have loved all of my jobs to some degree.

But it was those excited tingles, that sense of my whole body just buzzing as if I’d been hopped up on a dual coffee-sugar rush—only it didn’t have a crash. Only up and up from there!

That excitement felt like the biggest YES I could have felt when it came to my work.

Reminds me of that saying… If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no.

Not that you can’t say yes to things that don’t spark the living daylights out of your veins… You can also feel at peace or a general contentment to know if a decision is right for you.

The trick is to notice what your unique yes/no feels like in your body, so you can make those aligned decisions for yourself.

My hope is that you can find something you feel excited to say YES to very soon.

Cheers!

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Originally posted on magicwithmikael.substack.com

What Type of Edit Does Your Book Need?

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Types of book editing available and how to prepare for book editing

Have you finished writing your book? Congratulations! Seriously, you have so much to celebrate. Getting that first draft down can be one of the hardest steps of getting your book out into the world…

But what comes after you’ve written your book? Why, editing of course!

Are you now hunting for an editor to help you shape and polish your book so it can face the world in all its glory? That’s a very exciting, albeit intimidating, prospect—I’ve been there!

Today I’m here to help you discover what kind of editing your book needs so you can know the lingo around the different stages of editing, what to expect, and how to know which level of editing your manuscript needs.

When it comes to book editing, there are a few different stages available, depending on the needs of your book and what kind of shape it’s in.

And I always recommend going through a few rounds of revision, including with an editor, to prepare your manuscript for submission or publication. (No one really ever publishes their first draft… This blog alone had at least four!)

Before I break down the different types of edits, it may be helpful for you to know some ways to prepare yourself and your book prior to hiring an editor and sending your manuscript their way.

First things first… Get your heart involved.

I know it’s scary to have your book reviewed by someone, especially an editor who you may or may not know on a personal level. It’s like revealing some of your deepest darkest secrets on the page, and the last thing you want is someone critiquing or overanalyzing them.

Know that the job of the editor is to improve your book. You want your book to be the best it can be, right? Do you want it to be consistent, to make sense to your ideal reader, and to hit the emotional points you want it to hit for the most impact? Your editor helps you to achieve that. And many editors, myself included, will help you to maintain your voice rather than trying to change it, despite what you may hear about the editing industry.

All this to say: Do your research. Find a credible editor whose vibe you jive with and whose experience and offerings fit what you need. Check out their previous work if it’s available, or request a portfolio (my own portfolio is largely private due to NDAs, for example, so you’d have to reach out to me privately to investigate a majority of them).

Investigate a few editors to get a feel for what’s out there—and yes, doing a price comparison is a natural thing to check as well (check out Editorial Freelancers Association for current editing rates).

There are tons of book editors available for work on the web (I’m in a networking group with a few hundred, at least!). So, it’s essential that you look for an editor with the right skills and preferably experience with the type/genre of book you’ve written. For example, you might search for a YA dystopian or spiritual memoir in front of the search “book editor” when you head to your search engine of choice if that’s the genre of your book.

Some editors specialize in certain types of editing, so that’s why it’s important to know which kind of editing you’re looking for.

I also recommend an editor who you have respectful and constructive chemistry with. You want an editor who will offer feedback to guide you into a better book in an honest way that makes sense to you, not an editor who’ll baby you or be way too harsh in their edits. A good way to check the chemistry is to thoroughly research editors, narrow your list to the ones you like/vibe with/trust best, and have a consult call or interview with them to see if it’s a good match.

Check in with your body to see how it feels in response to the editors you interact with—follow your heart or trust your gut… You’ll know when you’ve found that editor for you if you listen within yourself for the answer.

Once you’ve found an editor, then the real work begins!

Let’s talk about how to prep your manuscript prior to sending it to a book editor.

What should you do before sending your manuscript to an editor?

First, avoid sending your very first draft to an editor. All first drafts are just getting the story onto the page and they are not ready for an editor’s attention yet. Any editor you hire will expect you to have done some sort of review before you send it to them.

Here’s what I recommend to prepare your manuscript before you send it away for an editor’s feedback, suggestions, and edits:

  1. Let your manuscript sit for two weeks once complete, at a minimum, so you come back to it with fresh eyes.
  2. Review your manuscript and take notes, chapter by chapter, of what you feel needs fixing, correcting, or adjustment.
  3. Do your own round of revising and edits based on that pass-through.
  4. Seek out a beta reader or two (or more!) to read your book, particularly someone who enjoys the genre of book you’ve written, and ask for their feedback and thoughts. Use the feedback offered to inform whether or not you want to incorporate changes they suggest. Having reader feedback can help you to know what’s working and what’s not in your book, as well as how it lands with readers overall—this is why I recommend choosing someone with interest in the genre of your book for the most appropriate feedback.
  5. Once you’ve made any other remaining changes from beta readers or other critiques, give it another once over to catch anything else…
  6. And then it’s a great time to send your manuscript off to an editor for professional feedback and to polish up your book with whatever editing services match what your book needs to be its best self.

Pro Tip: A majority of editors will request your manuscript in a specific format for ease of reading and editing.

The standard book submission format is as follows:

  • 12 pt size font
  • Times New Roman preferred, or something similar
  • Double-spaced lines, with no extra line space between paragraphs
  • 1-inch margins on all sides
  • 0.5-inch indents set
  • Title page with the name of the book & author
  • Author Surname/Book Name (abbreviated for space, if needed)/Page # in the header
    (i.e.: SHORT/BLUE HOUR/10)
  • Saved as a .doc or .docx file

See the full article on Reedsy for instructions on how to format your manuscript file properly!

What type of edit does your book need?

Different types of edits serve different purposes when it comes to your book, and each level of book editing has merit.

Ideally, every book would go through each stage of editing to make it the best it can be, but I know that’s not always feasible due to budget or time constraints. Hopefully, armed with this information, you can pinpoint what kind of edit you need to get the most bang for your buck and get your book in shining shape!

Here are the various stages of book editing, in the order in which I’d recommend them:

Developmental Edit

Also known as a structural edit, a developmental edit looks at the overall structure of your book and how it all works together.

The focus in developmental/structural edits is on story structure, characterization, and plot development.

This is the “big picture” edit where your story structure and character development & arcs are analyzed, plot holes and inconsistencies are found, and your overall themes, voice, and tone are clarified. Developmental editing looks at the overarching picture of your manuscript to make sure it all flows together seamlessly while communicating your larger message or story.

Note this is not the edit for correcting mistakes (like a copyedit or proofread) or offering rewriting suggestions (like a line edit).

When you work with TIE, developmental edits come with an editorial report with feedback on the various aspects of your novel.

If you want to make sure your story works well overall, to ensure an overall cohesive flow of content/chapters, and that your messaging is clear and consistent, this is the edit for you to start with.

Line Edit

Line editing is the book publishing term for this type of edit. It’s also known as content editing, and I’ve seen it called plain book editing in the online sphere. (No wonder it gets confusing with all these editing terms!)

Line editing refines your manuscript’s text line by line, sentence by sentence, to ensure a cohesive voice of the book. It looks at paragraph structure, sentence structure, language choices, and tone for a consistent and compelling narrative.

This is where the choice and order of sentences, phrasing, and words are keenly looked at to improve the flow and readability of your story. Line edits include clearing out redundancies or overused phrases, offering rewrites to tighten up your language or improve the flow, removing the unnecessary, and amplifying what’s important.

Think of line editing as creative or stylistic editing that both preserves and elevates your writing. This is the only type of editing that allows for rewriting suggestions. In line editing, quite a bit of copyediting is also taken care of as well (see below for copyedits).

Line editing is The Intuitive Editor’s specialty as I can sense what it is you’re trying to communicate by tapping into the spirit of your book! TIE’s copyediting service also comes with light line editing suggestions should the situation warrant it.

If you want to elevate and enhance the overall writing in your book, to make sure it flows seamlessly and clearly, a line edit may be the type of edit for your book!

Copyedit

The copyedit is one of my favorites because of its detailed work. Copyediting is the technical edit to clarify and correct your writing.

This is the editing stage where more nitty-gritty errors are swept clean from your manuscript and suggestions may be offered to further activate your language. This is where the details are looked at, such as your sentence structure for clarity, and minor consistencies are flagged. Any glaring errors like misspellings, grammar, verb tense, and punctuation will be swept up in this in-depth technical cleaning of your book.

The copyediting stage is usually where a style guide is developed for your book if it hasn’t been done already. A style guide is helpful to keep the details of your story (character traits, plot, setting, etc.), any special spellings or capitalizations, and other considerations consistent throughout the book and in further series.

Because a copyedit falls under the correction stage of the editing process, most copyedits include proofreading edits as well. However, that doesn’t mean you should forego proofreading as your final step! I always recommend proofreading prior to publishing.

When you work with TIE, light line editing may also be suggested with a copyedit, where sentence structure, consistency, readability, and flow of ideas are examined to present the most impactful language possible.

If you want a thorough technical cleanup of your book for clarity and precision in the text (and you aren’t seeking more creative revisions), then a copyedit is the edit for you.

Proofread

This is the final stage of editing!

The proofreading stage is the final polish where you have a sharp set of eyes catch any remaining errors in punctuation, grammar, spelling, or typos—to make your manuscript truly shine, so readers’ eyes don’t snag on small mistakes that may frustrate them, diminish the reading process, or make readers question your credibility.

The proofreading stage is the fine-toothed comb edit to tame the flyaways after everything else has been brushed out, so to speak!

Sometimes minor formatting issues may be flagged. Proofreading is not to be mistaken for formatting, though! That’s another thing entirely, and formatting will typically come before the final proofread, especially in traditional publishing houses. If you’re having your book specially formatted, I recommend proofreading after the formatted version is complete.

I do not advise a proofread being the only type of edit you do on your book. Odds are you need additional editorial support to make the various aspects of your book clear and cohesive first. See the above sections for which edit(s) your book needs!

The Intuitive Editor loves being that final eye to catch those lingering errors, and you can pair a proofread with any other type of edit for a little extra savings!

A proofread is the edit for you if you’ve gone through at least a line edit or copyedit, if not a developmental/ structural edit, you feel good about where your book is, and you want that final eagle-eyed proofread to catch any lingering errors before publication or submission.

Manuscript Review / Manuscript Analysis

Though not specifically editing, a manuscript review/analysis is another way to get professional feedback for your book that might be more budget-friendly.

The manuscript review will vary depending on the editor, even in name or scope. Generally, feedback is provided via a written report that analyzes the story arc, characters, plot holes, what’s going well, and what could use improvement from a bird’s eye level. Some editors will do a breakdown by chapter, or advise on how to structure your book if needed or requested.

Manuscript reviews will also note any tendencies you have as a writer that will need special attention, such as overusing certain phrases or consistently switching between character perspectives or even verb tenses.

Not every editor will offer a manuscript analysis like this, but some do! (Hi!)

Have any other questions about the book editing process? Drop TIE a line here with any Qs! Happy to help.

Ready to have your book edited to its inspired perfection?

The Intuitive Editor would be tickled to help you proof and polish your book into its intended glory and inspired perfection.

Fill out the Book Submission Form here to apply for a book editing spot on The Intuitive Editor’s calendar!

A Call to Joy – How TIE Was Born

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I want to tell you a secret…

I want to tell you how and why The Intuitive Editor was born.

Because I realize I haven’t told anyone except my coach in 2021…

Why It All Began

The Intuitive Editor was born because writing is one of the most natural things I do. It’s not something I’ve ever felt self-conscious about. And it was something I became known and recognized for. It’s been my selling point for every job I’ve held. 

I’ve always been a writer, pouring stories onto pages since I learned how to write.

And just like writing, reading fills my soul.

Both reading & writing are where my playtime, my learning, my growth, my self-reflection, and my creativity live and thrive.

I love writing in all the ways it serves me and all the ways I can create new things with just words. I can transport and change others just like what I’ve read has transported and changed me throughout my life.

From Writing to Proofreading…

From my love of writing in all the work and all the jobs I’ve done, I began to love improving writing.

Taking an article and cleaning it up. Making sure headlines and lower thirds are accurate. Proofing emails and brochures before they go out. Shiny, sparkly, and clear.

The writing jobs beautifully segued into editing and proofreading. I fell into it and fell in love. 

There’s nothing like taking a piece of writing and polishing it up so it’s free of errors and clear in its message. Scrubbing out all those errors, typos, and misused verb tenses littering the path along the way.

And I love learning about how to improve my writing and editing skills. Those two passions co-exist within me.

The more I write, the better I get.

The more I edit, the better I get at both writing and editing.

Seems like a win-win, no?

A Call to Pursue My Joy

When it became clear to me during the pandemic that I needed to be writing more, that writing calls me more than anything else I do… I found that my voice and stories needed the space, energy, and freedom to pour from me.

And the work I was doing… Needed a big adjustment to allow that. 

While I love writing in all its facets, freelance writing is actually quite draining for me. In multiple ways. Energetically and creatively.

I knew I needed to find work and build a career that wouldn’t drain my creative juices so much and also felt enjoyable because… I’m simply not available for work I don’t enjoy. I know I won’t be motivated to do it if enjoyment isn’t there, and that’s not fair to anyone.

So, I sat down and explored what work I most loved to do that didn’t suck my creative juices dry.

Enter editing…

Every single job I’ve had, I have proofread, copyedited, and edited countless files and documents. And that’s always been my favorite part of every job!

In every office, I became the go-to proofreader, earning the moniker “The Machine”  since I was so efficient and accurate in catching errors and maintaining style guides prior to print, post, or broadcast.

Even when a close friend or family member sent me something for a quick once-over, I’d get so excited that I would literally drop everything to proofread something for them to help. It became my favorite way to help loved ones. 

Serendipitously, a few years back, I was invited to join a book editing firm as a book editor and copyeditor. And honestly? That was the most excited for a job that I’ve ever been. And it’s been the best job ever—plus, I get to work with a dear friend and mentor who saw my potential. <3

What It All Boils Down To…

I love diving into something to make it better. I love correcting the errors and providing guidance for the writer to improve their work in the future. That’s ridiculously fun for me, and I can literally do it for hours without looking up. 

Sometimes it feels like alchemy… Taking something and making it shine. Spinning words and stories into gold. 

That’s it… I’m a story alchemist.

That obsession and excitement to do that kind of work was my sign—my billboard from the Universe—for what kind of work I should be doing.

Then I Started My Business!

So, now I’m here, with my own editing business. One that incorporates my core strengths: my intuition, writing, and editing prowess. It really is a perfect marriage of my skills. 

And in creating this business, my hope and dream is that my editing business will support other writers & creatives live a more balanced and creatively enriched life while polishing up their stories and increasing their potency—while also maintaining my own creative writing practice. 

Because the Universe knows this girl has piles of stories coming out of each finger tip that she wants to put to the page. (I’ve got a couple over here in the Bookshop!)

When it comes time for me to send my books out into the world, you can bet your bottom dollar that I’ll be hiring an editor or two myself.

After all, even editors need editors!

Want to Work With Me?

So, if you’re ready to step into a more divinely led creative path, putting your stories onto the page, and building a creative practice that’s in harmony with the rest of your life… I’d be tickled & honored to help you shape and polish your written works too.

Thanks for being here and hearing my story. <3

Doing An Editing Business Differently

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I am here to do things differently. I feel like I have known that for a long time.

When it came to starting an editing business, I did a bit of research into what other editing and proofreading professionals were doing to promote their work—from their websites, to their social media, etc. I saw editors sharing their tips and tricks to catch errors as you write. Things they catch all the time as an editor/proofreader. Providing tools to help others edit or proofread their work better.

And as I looked around, I realized that’s not at all what I wanted to do with my editing business. I see the formula, and I don’t want to use it.

I believe through inspired actions on a new path, I can still find success with my editing business.

(In fact, that’s a common thread in my life… If I see one path, you can bet I’ll want to do it my way. And hopefully show you that you can do things your way too. )

I’m pulling back the curtain a bit on this since I want to be transparent.

My editing business is different.

I have no interest in teaching you how to write. Or how to proofread your work. At least, not at this point in time.

Of course, I could make resources for that, but that’s not the way I want my editing business to work or even how I want to promote it. (UPDATE: Now I have a Self-Revision Checklist & a mini-course email series, From First Draft to Publish Ready available for free!)

My goal is to inspire more creative flow & freedom.

To unlock the treasure trove of stories within you so they can pour out with fewer obstacles and challenges.

To encourage a healthy, harmonious relationship with your creativity.

To help you seek more joy, beauty, and nurturing in your life—to ultimately take care of yourself, and thus the insightful creative within you.

That way you can write what you’re meant to write from a more balanced and healthy space.

I care about the creator within, much more than trying to teach you how to edit your work.

I’m not knocking that as a valuable skill, because it most definitely is. (Ideally, you would revise your book before sending it off to an editor, for example.)

But I care more about you getting to tell your story. Period.

I want you to find the joyful flow that sparks your creativity and sends you flying down the path of writing the book and telling the stories you’ve always dreamed of sharing with the world.

I want the words to flow out of you with ease.

You have a voice, and you have a story to tell.

And I want to see you use it for the highest and best good.

I want you to find the balance in your life, so you’re not struggling to survive while also trying to sustain a creative routine. Because that’s not sustainable.

I’m a firm believer that when you take care of you, your creativity will come.

That’s what matters to me.

When you take care of you,
the creativity will come.

Editing and proofreading have been the heartbeat of my adult career.

And then, if you so choose, I can help you with the more technical editing know-how to help you clean it up, so it’s clear, easy to read and understand, and free from discrediting errors and mistakes. Because that’s another way of how I love to help support creatives and writers. Whether you hire me as your editor when you’re done getting your story onto the page, that’s up to you!

(Does this mean I’m turning into a creativity/book coach as well as a book editor? I don’t know, but I’m open to it. The downloads and inspired actions I’m getting for The Intuitive Editor are taking me in a direction I wasn’t expecting, and I’m loving the journey.)

So, while you may not find “can you find the mistake” posts on my Instagram page, my hope is that you will feel inspired to pick up that pen or get out your keyboard… And get writing. Get working on your creative dreams. Show up for them like they want to show up for you.

And do it for you first. Create what you want first.

And keep it fun. Try not to force it from a painful place.

My hope is that by enjoying your life more and engaging your creativity, you start to create a life you’ve dreamed of (or something even better!).

Just like I’m creating a business that feels good to me.

Let’s start to see creativity differently together.

All Roads Lead to Editing: My Story CV

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Have you ever looked back at how your experiences have added up to where you are now?

It’s quite invigorating and encouraging when you connect the dots between all you’ve done. The patterns that show up, the passions that emerge… It can be valuable information about what you truly desire to do. In fact, it could create a map to show where you’re heading.

Well, come to find out, telling stories (and polishing them up!) has always been at the heart of the work I do.

When I sat down to reflect on my work history to see how my previous experience bolsters my credibility as a book editor… I came up with quite a bit, and I’m excited to share it with you!

overhead shot of a person with a pen using a laptop

The Road That Led to My Editing Career: A CV

As an IT assistant during college…

I got to assist in writing a cybersecurity newsletter that broke down complex technical stories into actionable ways to protect yourself online. Just a couple of years of this work led to me taking over the helm of that monthly newsletter to this very day, sharing important cyber news stories and tips for a 5,000+ organization to bolster cybersecurity awareness—to protect their employees and company assets.

In my university’s sports media office…

I learned the importance of editing while writing athlete feature stories. I also learned that the red pen can be wielded for good to create more powerful language choices for compelling stories.

My speedy keyboarding skills were also put to the test in transcribing interviews for sporting news updates (85+ WPM, thank you very much). 

In the newsroom…

I got to help curate stories from the endless influx of news submissions and also write news stories for the web.

But my favorite part of that job was proofreading broadcast lower third headlines (the ones at the bottom of the screen) as well as cleaning up and creating a better flow to the scripts for the anchors, so they wouldn’t stumble over their words or mispronounce names.

Although not entirely PC, I did earn the moniker among colleagues as the “AP Nazi” for keeping the station’s web & broadcast content aligned with the Associated Press guidelines. I even remember a producer saying, “Did Mikael take her pass yet? Then, we’re good to go.”

As a communications coordinator for a state business association…

I got to write about all things business for social media, email marketing, radio spots, and website content—while proofreading anything the association sent out. I became fondly known as “The Machine” for punching out efficient proofreads in a pinch for almost all of the departments within the chamber.

I also took tremendous pride in being the head curator and editor for their annual magazine, Life in Utah, for the two years I was there before taking the leap to move to New York City to explore performance opportunities.

They even trusted me enough to keep me on as a contract editor for subsequent issues of the magazine and important documents after my departure. (And colleagues from that office still call me on occasion for quick proofreads!)

As an actor & performer…

I literally got to put on a show telling all kinds of stories. I got to tap into characters, their motivations, how they change through a story, and emotionally dive into what it takes to make their story seem real and relatable on stage. And this is critical to understanding characters and story arcs in books!

When those gigs led to teaching music and performance to elementary students, I got to create story plans to keep the littles engaged in learning the fundamentals of music (all while singing silly songs!). Getting to know the stories of the children I got to teach was a new kind of thrill (and so was their excitement for my weekly visit).

As a freelance writer & editor in the Big Apple…

I got to connect with a wide variety of entrepreneurs and businesses to translate their messages and stories into about pages, blog posts and articles, press releases, and other web copy and content. I got to offer college essay & SAT/ACT essay prep feedback to students preparing for their next stage of life.

This is where I learned copywriting and writing on the fly (Fiverr is a whole thing, my friends). My quick typing and ability to break down complex concepts into relatable and understandable stories really came in handy!

And now, as a book editor and copyeditor…

Editing and proofreading seemed to always be one-off jobs… Until I got the invitation to become a contract book editor from a friend, who also helped edit my book, which would light a fire deep within me that just couldn’t be squelched. My career focus was found!

Now I take content and stories and make them shine, by cleaning up the text to keep readers engaged in the moment and in the story. I bring consistency and polish to dialogue, characters, and narrative arcs, so it all makes sense to your audience.

And the message you’re trying to communicate? It actually reaches them so they say, “I really needed to read this right now.”

Because… We all have a voice. We all have a message. And we all have a story.

And that brings me to one of the mottos of The Intuitive Editor:

Your story matters. Your message matters.
Your words matter.

And your story deserves to be told in a way that you’re proud of.

So, ultimately, my favorite thing is polishing up words & stories to make them shine and work for you rather than against you.

It took a while, but eventually I discovered that this is the work I can get utterly lost in because I love it so much. Improving others’ writing (even my own) has been a lifelong passion, and sharing ways to create a more impactful statement or message? My version of Turkish delight.

Believe me, I know it can be so nerve-wracking to put your words out there, and my hope is that my storytelling and editing expertise will improve your writing and storytelling abilities while instilling the confidence to share your message without fear of looking inexperienced or unprofessional.

You deserve to be seen and heard in your full glory, and it’d be my utter pleasure to help you proof & polish your story to help you share it with the world.

If you’d like to work with me, discover my editorial services here. I look forward to discovering your story & helping you to proof & polish it! 

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Making Comparisonitis Work For You: How to Use Comparison to Find Your Direction

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From my working chair, not so long ago, I found myself on an Instagram page of another book editor. And they were killing it.

(Or at least that’s what it looks like on social media, and we all know how much of that is just appearances…)

I was totally into what they were sharing. Thought their social media game was on point. Looked like they were #bookedandblessed in every pun imaginable. Discovered we had quite a bit in common… And then I noticed they were 20 years old and started their business around the same time as me.

Cue my mood crashing, as a 30+ year-old, who only recently decided to pursue an editorial business after years of trying to identify the the skills I most wanted to use to help people. (And who has also had a decade-plus of professional experience this young person has not had, but that certainly wasn’t coming to mind at that moment.)

I fell into the comparison trap… hard.

The comparisonitis. I drank the compareschläger (as Marie Forleo calls it). The whole bottle, probably. Tears were shed, though I strongly suspect the full moon played a part as well in heightening emotions. Either way, my confidence tanked, the comparisonitis the culprit.

This surprised me, honestly… I am solidly in the “the only person I compete with is myself” camp. Cheering people on as they rock what they’re doing is one of my very favorite things.

Most of the time, I have no reason to compete or compare myself to anyone else because I know everyone is their own unique person, meant to do great things in their world with their gifts and talents. I think that is one of the most beautiful things in this world!

And I still found myself comparing my business to another book editor’s social media profile.

Because I’m human. And humans tend to fall into the comparison trap with each other, even without trying to.

The Reality Check

Calming myself down, especially with thanks to my partner, I remembered that this person is not me. And I am not them. And though we are similar, we do not do our work in the same way. They can rock their social media game while I wish I could bag social media all together. All they are doing that I wish I was doing… I don’t have to do it and I do not have to do it like them.

I can release my grip on the compareschläger, put my head down, listen to what my own heart has to say, and then put in the work to do the work that I actually want to do.

Because, once I sobered myself up, I realized that this instance of comparisonitis gave me a glaring billboard for the work I really want to do.

The book editing and copyediting is the work I truly want to do.

(Along with writing my own books, of course!)

And this epiphany came with this reminder:

You don’t compare yourself to people who are doing things you have no interest in…
You compare yourself to the people who are doing what you truly want to do.

This is why comparing yourself to others and looking at where you get jealous of other people can actually be a helpful tool. It may not feel good in the moment; however, it can point you in the direction of where you most want to move in.

How to Use Comparison to Find Your Direction

Start to notice when you get jealous of someone else or find yourself falling into the comparison trap. And ask yourself why those feelings are arising.

You’re jealous of that woman who can work from the beach on her laptop? How can you create that feeling with your own work from where you’re at until you can make that a reality for yourself?

You find yourself comparing your achievements to peer who seems much further along than you? What is it about what they have or are doing that you seek?

Odds are, because there’s something there, something you desire on a much deeper level, that you haven’t achieved yet… Or maybe even something you haven’t acknowledged that you want.

I have a feeling you’ll find your own aha moment in asking why the feelings of comparison and jealousy come up, especially if you’ve been questioning your purpose, direction, or next steps. I know I did.

Find out what the desire is—the desire hidden deep underneath the mask of comparing yourself to another—and start moving toward it.

So, you may see a refocus from me on sharing more about the book editing and copyediting work. I love the intuitive side of my business, and I don’t want to let it take away from the editorial side of things that I utterly love doing… My intuition supports my hard-earned editing skills, and it thrills me to no end to see how I can help others with these gifts.

And I plan on using any social media stalking of other editors for inspiration and ideas, not comparison. If it start falling into the comparison mire again, I’ll know to pull myself out before it gets too far. Because we all know that can work against you rather than for you.

Remember that only you can do the work you were put on this earth to do with the gifts that only you have. No one can do it like you do… So keep going, especially when comparison comes along to try and derail you. Let the comparison be fuel for you to pinpoint the next steps for you to reach for your dreams.

Want to join me in putting down the compareschläger, putting your head down, listening to your heart, and doing the work you really, really want to do? See you there. <3

How Editing Is Like Untangling Knots

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One thing I enjoy doing… is untangling knots.

I can look at the absolutely tangled, jumbled mess of a necklace’s chain, and with my fingers pull the string this way and that until–voila! The necklace is untangled and returned to full glory so you can wear it proudly again.

Where I untangled a knot…

Just a couple of years ago, a one-time gig employer had a massive floor of costumes and a necklace she irritatedly swore up and down “had been tangled for ten years.” No less than seven minutes later, the necklace was gleaming in the light, dangling from my finger completely untangled. Her jaw dropped. “Do you mind if I bring you back to my house to fix the rest of my necklaces?”

How editing is like untangling knots

It looks at the big picture while also diving into the details to make sure everything is aligned and correct in your content. Editing takes what’s there, makes a few adjustments, offers suggestions, and smooths out the errors. In the end, you have your beautiful, compelling, and kink-free content ready to be presented to the world. And you’ll feel pretty confident putting it out there too, knowing that it’s exactly how it’s meant to show up!

Just like untangling a necklace or a knot, editing is a precise art.

I just love taking piece of writing and making it truly sing by untangling the knots, smoothing the clunky language, and polishing it up. I can get lost in the best way while working with words. Honing in on the message, stripping away the unnecessary, and correcting any unsightly spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors… All while maintaining your true voice and making sure the message shines through without any discrediting or unprofessional distractions.

And sometimes while untangling something, you have to work with what you can hardly see… And that’s where my intuitive skills come in to help fill the gaps between what’s not on the page and what should (or shouldn’t) be.

Untangling text is my specialty.

Many of my previous colleagues and employers can attest to what I do. A few keep me on speed dial for when they need a final proof since they know I deliver impeccable editorial feedback time and time again. Like the lady whose necklace I fixed, they wanted to keep me on standby for their projects that need editing. I’m honored to be their go-to proofing person, and I love having on-going relationships with clients so I can get to know their style and so the knots get easier to spot and smooth out as we work together.

It’s such a delight when I get a message that says, “Hey Mikael, can you proof this for me please?” Because that tells me that they trust me, love my feedback, and value my contribution to their work–and that’s the best feeling in the world.

Plus, the clarifying process of editing and proofreading is my absolute favorite way to help people. It’s within my zone of genius, and I’m stoked to offer my skills in this way… It’s one of the core reasons The Intuitive Editor was born!

Do you need an eagle-eyed proofreader or insightful editor to help untangle the knots of your content or your book?

Be sure to investigate my editorial services here!

The Woman Behind the Editing Curtain

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In case you’re wondering who is behind The Intuitive Editor, look no further.

My name is Mikael (pronounced Mih-kehl, she/her), and I am the editor & writer behind this purple curtain.

And I cannot wait to help you make your content shine. Whether it’s a book, a website, articles or blogs, your resume or cover letters, I’ve literally done it all! With more than 12 years under my belt as a professional writer and editor, I have a plethora of experience writing and editing that spans a number of industries and styles.

Not only that, but I’ve spent the last six years honing my intuitive abilities since they came roaring onto the scene with my Saturn return—my most attuned psychic abilities include clairvoyance (clear seeing), clairsentience (clear feeling), and claircognizance (clear knowing).

This means I can see straight into the heart of the matter and channel what’s there—whether its your business, book, or message—so we can strip away what’s unnecessary, clarify what’s there for more impact, and proof & polish it all to how it’s best meant to serve you and your audience.

With the technical editorial experience combined with crystal clear intuitive insights, I help you to elevate your writing to new heights while also offering suggestions to further improve your writing skills. And because I enjoy this work so much, I aim to make it an enjoyable experience for you as an author too. (I, too, am a writer and understand how scary it can be to hire an editor in the first place.)

What matters is that I help your words shine through in your own voice so you can make the impact that you desire to make and reach the people that resonate most with your message. I’m here to help make your writing sing with confidence & heart while also keeping away those distracting grammar/punctuation/spelling mistakes that make you look unprofessional.

Your words are what represent you… And I can help you to make them sparkle and shine from the inside out. Let’s talk.

Embrace Your Magic

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Did you know the Universe is trying to communicate with you all the time? All. The. Time.

You just have to pay attention and stay curious.

While I came out of the spiritual closet a few years back, sometimes I still end up having to tell people some strange things. Or, things that I don’t think are strange, but other people may think are strange.

I’ve gotten really quite open with talking about the fact that I get messages from the Universe on a constant basis.

Seeing feathers on the street delight me. I giggle at seeing hair bands littering the ground. Getting messages and songs from my angels to know what I most need to know in the moment. The Universe tells me things. Sometimes a baby or toddler communicates with me with zero words. Dead people talk to me in my dreams (sometimes while I’m awake). This is just scraping the icing off the cake…

Specifically, I am an empathic medium (or channel) with claircognizance (clear knowing) and clairsentience (clear feeling) very much alive and working in my sphere. This means I can also tap into people’s energies and guides to see what’s going on with them, or if they have messages waiting for them in the spirit realm.

When it comes to my editing work, I get impulses about what needs to be changed for that narration to be just right. Like I can feel what the author meant but maybe couldn’t find the word or phrase for.

There have been a gamut of reactions from people, from intrigue, shock, confusion, belief, disbelief, excitement… I worry about freaking people out sometimes, but most of the time, people seem to react at least positively, if not politely or curiously. Sometimes I say something and I’m met with silence, then I move onto safer topics. Usually I can judge when someone isn’t open to hearing about my intuitive hits.

To be honest, I see this “talent” as just connecting the dots of the Universe and finding the magic in every day, in every little thing.

Some people say magic doesn’t exist, and I beg to differ. I see it every day.

I don’t expect everyone to understand; I feel lucky just to have the wonderful group of magic makers that do understand.

For me, I don’t believe in hiding who I really am. It was jarring at first, but I’ve learned that this is a huge piece of who I am. Intuitive, powerful, and magical. And I aim to bring that magic to all the work I do.

You can take me as I am, or move onto the next normal person; because I know I’m not normal, and that’s perfectly perfect.

I’m going to leave you with a message from my own guides:

Shine on.
Every little bit that makes up who you are is that way for a reason.
You’ve got something special in you.

Embrace your own magic, no matter what anyone else thinks.
Create what your soul commands you create.
Create art you love through your life.
Create the life you want, every minute of every day.
You’re worth it.