So what can you expect during this season of A Story That Works? Well, each episode will include a short story I wrote. I’ll read the story and then welcome in an editor who has agreed to talk with me about the story for an episode. Together we’ll discuss various aspects of what’s working, what isn’t, the genre in general, or whatever else comes up based on how each editor works.

I’m getting a hodgepodge of advice to show you that everyone’s opinions are different (writing is subjective after all), that you have to find an editor you have a rapport with, and that you can’t take any advice too personally.

This season, I’m talking with all sorts of editors who have very different specialties. For a list of who they are, check out the show notes for this episode or astorythatworks.com.

If you’re at the editing stage, I highly recommend you visit each editor’s website and do your research. Hopefully, someone stands out to you and seems particularly able to help with whatever you’re struggling with in writing. Every editor is professional and has been a joy to work with.

Their websites are listed on the show notes and most even offer a free consultation so you can get a personal feel for how they work in addition to hearing each episode.

You can also go to astorythatworks.com at any time. On our site, in addition to the list of the editors, there will always be a place for you to send me the stories you write (because, of course, I hope you’re still writing). And there’s a form you can fill out if you have questions about anything to do with the editors or this podcast in general.

The goal is to keep writing and to improve what you put on the page with each story you finish. This season you’ll notice I struggle a lot with expanding my work and with seeing it from a perspective outside my own mind. Getting advice from other editors (friends, family, anyone who loves to read and can offer valuable feedback) is invaluable to the process of improving. For me. You’ll have to play around with what works for you.

In having these conversations (and of course with writing and finishing so many stories lately), I’ve learned so much about my writing. That’s not to say it’s any easier, but that I can craft stories intentionally and work on various skills each time.

But knowing all this about me (or even your favorite authors) isn’t enough. My goal is that, in listening to me, you figure out your own process. I hope this podcast helps you come to realize the importance of finishing the stories you start (whatever form and length they take). I hope it motivates you to do that work yourself. I hope it helps you set specific goals for what you want out of your writing, to practice with intention and on a regular basis—whatever that means for you, and to get feedback about what’s working and what isn’t.

It’s a cliché to say practice makes perfect, but it’s a cliché because it’s true.

Keep in mind that you will struggle at times and be frustrated at others, but so long as the love for writing remains, you can improve, you can succeed, and you can have fun. And if you’re not having fun writing, what’s the point anyway?

Editors:

Lori Puma: loripuma.com

Shelley Sperry: sperryeditorial.com

Julia Blair: ragstowritten.com

Kimberly Kessler: www.kimberkessler.com

Griffin Gartner: gartnerediting.com

Leslie Watts: Writership.com

Abigail Perry: abigailkperry.com

My website: creativitythroughconstraints.com