The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing

In this episode of The Edit: Writing Your Book Without Losing Your Voice, Holly explores one of the biggest mistakes nonfiction writers make: trying to write for everyone.

What starts as a desire to reach more people often leads to writing that feels watered down, overly polished, and disconnected from the heart of the message. Holly shares a real conversation with a writer whose manuscript was technically strong—but lacked clarity about who it was truly for—and explains why identifying your ideal reader changes everything.

This episode dives into:

• Why writing for "everyone" weakens your voice
• How fear causes writers to over-explain and dilute their message
• Why specificity creates stronger emotional connection
• The difference between content and connection
• How business owners and entrepreneurs often lose their natural voice trying to sound "professional"
• What "content crossover" means and why authentic stories resonate universally
• Why your ideal reader should feel like a real person—not a demographic

Holly also discusses how authentic nonfiction writing allows readers to see themselves in your story, even when their circumstances are completely different. When stories are told honestly and emotionally, connection happens naturally.

If you've been struggling to sound like yourself on the page—or if your writing feels flat despite being technically correct—this episode will help you refocus on the people who truly need your story.

Because the goal isn't to make everyone like your writing.

It's to make the right people feel something.

"When you speak to everyone, you speak to no one." — Margaret Hill

And as Holly reminds listeners:

"Your story without your voice… is only words."

For writing coaching, nonfiction editing, or to submit a podcast topic/question, visit: https://www.writelynotable.com

Or email Holly at [email protected]

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share, rate, and review the podcast to help it continue reaching the writers, entrepreneurs, and storytellers who need it most.

What happens after you finally decide to tell your story?

In this bonus episode, Holly takes a deeper look at the writing and editing side of storytelling, inspired by her recent conversation with an author and coach.

But this episode isn't about the details of one person's story.

It's about what so many writers experience emotionally when they sit down to write something real.

Holly discusses:

• Why writing meaningful stories feels emotionally different from simply remembering them
• The fear of vulnerability in nonfiction writing
• Why writers often hold back without realizing it
• The difference between writing safely and writing honestly
• What editors really mean when they ask writers to "go deeper."
• How to protect your authentic voice during the editing process
• Why readers connect more with honesty than perfection
• Knowing when you're emotionally ready to tell a story
• The healing power of finally putting truth on the page

This episode is for writers, storytellers, business owners, memoirists, and anyone carrying a story they've been afraid to tell.

If you've ever wondered: "Does my story matter?" "Am I ready to write this?" "What if I lose my voice in editing?" or "What if my writing isn't good enough?"

This conversation is for you.

• Writing through emotional resistance
• Why authenticity matters more than sounding polished
• How editing should strengthen your voice — not erase it
• The emotional gap between what a writer feels and what reaches the page
• Why readers crave honest storytelling
• Letting go of perfection and finally beginning

Your story does not need to sound like someone else's to matter.

It just needs to sound like you.

Connect with Holly at https://www.writelynotable.com

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." — Maya Angelou

What happens when writing your story becomes part of your healing?

In this deeply honest and emotional episode of The Edit: Writing Your Book Without Losing Your Voice, Holly sits down with bestselling author, speaker, life transition coach, and podcast host Deborah Griffiths for a powerful conversation about trauma, healing, storytelling, and reclaiming your voice.

Deborah shares the story behind her book, Torched Burnt by a Gaslighter, and opens up about surviving years of narcissistic abuse, the emotional process of writing about trauma, and how storytelling ultimately became part of her healing journey.

Together, Holly and Deborah discuss:

• Writing through pain and emotional trauma

• Why keeping your authentic voice matters in memoir writing

• The difference between surviving and healing

• How editing can strengthen—not silence—a writer's voice

• The emotional challenges of revisiting difficult memories

• Why sharing your story may help someone else find hope

• The subtle warning signs of toxic and emotionally abusive relationships

• The healing power of podcasting, coaching, and storytelling

This conversation is raw, compassionate, hopeful, and full of wisdom for anyone who has ever felt silenced, invisible, or afraid to share their story.

• How Deborah knew it was finally time to write her story.

• Why she chose to fictionalize the characters in her book.

• The role editing played in helping her tell the story more honestly.

• What surprised her during the writing process?

• The emotional impact of hearing readers say, "That happened to me too."

• How trauma stays in the body—and the healing work she continues to do.

• Why finding your voice again changes everything.

• Torched Burnt by a Gaslighter by Deborah Griffiths https://www.amazon.com/Torched-Burnt-Gaslighter-Deborah-Griffiths/dp/1956353364/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

• Broken to Boldness https://www.brokentoboldness.com/home

• Bent Not Broken: Starting Over After Divorce/Post Divorce https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bent-not-broken-starting-over-after-divorce-post-divorce/id1840019186

• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Klok

• Domestic Violence Awareness Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE

• Motivation Champs Publishing with Dominick Domasky https://www.motivationchamps.com/publishing/

• The Edit Season 1- published 4/11/23 "I'm Working on What I Can Do Better with Debbie Griffiths" https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edit-writing-your-book-without-losing-your-voice/id1891432033?i=1000760099227

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahgriffiths7/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.griffiths.77

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brokentoboldness

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-griffiths/

Email Address: [email protected]

Website: writelynotable.com

If this episode resonated with you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that their voice matters.

Because your story without your voice is only words.

Episode 3: Why Your Story Matters (Even If You Think It Doesn't)

Opening quote is very powerful and by Michelle Obama—"Your story matters—but if you don't see that, chances are no one else will either."

So many people believe their story isn't "important enough" to tell. But often, behind those words are stories filled with resilience, grief, reinvention, courage, healing, and survival. In this episode of The Edit, Holly talks about why ordinary stories are often the ones that matter most—and why your voice may be exactly what someone else needs to hear. This episode explores the power of honest storytelling, the emotional impact of shared experiences, and why authenticity creates a deeper connection than perfection ever could. Whether you're writing a book, sharing your story in business, journaling privately, or simply trying to find your voice again, this conversation will remind you that your story has value—not because it's polished or dramatic, but because it's real. In This Episode: * Why people often minimize their own stories? * The emotional power of "me too." * How storytelling helps us process and understand our lives. * Why authentic stories create stronger business connections. * The importance of preserving family stories, memories, and legacy. * How sharing honestly gives others permission to do the same. * Why your story matters even if it never becomes a published book. Memorable Quote: "Your story without your voice is only words." Mentioned in This Episode: * The importance of authentic storytelling * Writing through healing, grief, and growth * Human connection through nonfiction writing * Preserving stories for future generations * Storytelling in business and personal branding Connect with Holly: As a nonfiction editor and writing coach, Holly helps writers, entrepreneurs, and business owners share meaningful stories without losing their authentic voice in the editing process. Learn more at https://www.writelynotable.com Enjoying The Show? If this episode resonated with you: * Follow the podcast * Leave a rating and review * Share this episode with someone whose story deserves to be told Because your story matters. And someone out there may need to hear it exactly the way only you can tell it. And remember…Your story without your voice is only words.

Episode 2: Keep Your Voice in Your Writing

The quote at the beginning of the podcast is, "Finding your voice is mostly having the courage to speak and letting it be enough." This came from an article by Dan Cumberland on the website https://themeaningmovement.com/finding-your-voice/ , which is an interesting read. If you are interested, you should check it out.

In this episode of The Edit: Writing Your Book Without Losing Your Voice, Holly talks about one of the most important parts of nonfiction writing: keeping your authentic voice intact through the editing process.

Too often, writers polish and edit their work until it no longer sounds like them. In this conversation, Holly shares why readers connect more deeply with honest, human writing than perfectly polished sentences, and how overediting can quietly erase the very thing that makes your story powerful.

Through personal insight, practical examples, and real editing experiences, Holly walks listeners through three simple but powerful ways to protect their voice while still creating clear, meaningful writing.

In This Episode: Why readers remember emotion more than perfect wording The difference between natural writing and sloppy writing How reading your work out loud helps you hear your true voice Why writers tend to overexplain—and how it weakens impact A real-life editing example involving a wellness coach's website copy Why simple, honest writing creates stronger connection The importance of protecting the most human parts of your writing How vulnerability and authenticity help readers trust you Key Takeaways: Write like you speak first Stop explaining everything three different ways Protect the parts of your writing that feel most like you Memorable Quote:

"Your voice is not the problem. Your voice is the reason people connect to your story in the first place."

Mentioned in This Episode: Authentic storytelling in nonfiction writing Editing without losing your voice Writing for connection instead of performance The role of vulnerability in meaningful writing Why clarity matters more than sounding impressive Connect with Holly:

Holly Totten is a nonfiction editor and writing coach who helps writers, entrepreneurs, and business owners tell meaningful stories without editing themselves out of the process.

Learn more at https://writelynotable.com

Enjoying The Show?

If this episode encouraged you, please:

Follow the podcast Leave a rating and review Share it with someone who needs help finding their voice again

And remember:

"Your story without your voice is only words."

The Edit: Episode 1"The Edit That Changes Everything"

Holly starts this podcast season with a powerful quote by Joseph Kanon, "When you're editing, you want to be the perfect appreciator, not another writer." Holly tells us that this quote changed her perspective on editing and made her fall in love with helping others share their stories.

What happens when editing starts to erase the very thing that makes your story powerful?

In this very first episode of The Edit: Writing Your Book Without Losing Your Voice, Holly Totten shares why so many writers unintentionally polish the humanity right out of their work — and why keeping your authentic voice matters more now than ever.

This episode explores the difference between writing that is technically correct and writing that truly connects. Holly talks about the pressure many writers feel to sound more professional, more polished, or more impressive… and how that pressure can slowly pull us away from the truth we originally wanted to share.

You'll also hear a deeply personal story about the loss of Holly's mother and the experience of writing a memorial piece with her brother. What began as an honest tribute slowly turned into something over-edited, overworked, and emotionally disconnected — until they stepped back and remembered what really mattered.

This episode is a reminder that readers are not looking for perfection.

They're looking for honesty. For connection. For something that feels real.

Because your story without your voice is only words.

In This Episode: Why writers often lose their voice during editing The difference between correctness and connection Why readers connect more deeply to honesty than perfection The danger of over-editing emotional or personal stories Why storytelling matters in both books and business How fear and self-doubt can flatten your writing The personal story that inspired the heart behind The Edit Memorable Quote:

"We can become so focused on the technical side of writing that we allow correctness to overshadow connection."

About The Edit

The Edit: Writing Your Book Without Losing Your Voice is a podcast for writers, entrepreneurs, creatives, and business owners who want to tell meaningful stories without sounding like everyone else. Through storytelling, writing insight, and honest conversations, Holly explores how to write with clarity while still sounding fully like yourself.

If this episode resonated with you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who's writing something important right now.

And until next time… Keep your voice in the story.

And remember...Your story without your voice is only words.

This episode explores the transition from Teaching Yourself to Learn to The Edit: Writing Your Book Without Losing Your Voice through the lens of storytelling, nonfiction writing, and finding your authentic voice. If you've ever struggled with writing your story, editing your work, or feeling like your words don't sound like you anymore, this podcast will resonate.

In Teaching Yourself to Learn, I talked to so many amazing women who shared stories about approaching what I like to call the "third-half" of life. We learned so much as these women discussed moving forward after retirement, divorce, illness, the death of a partner, becoming an empty-nester, and so much more. But as I really started to listen to these stories, I began to realize that 'how' a story is told is just as important as the story itself.

I noticed that people are sometimes afraid to reveal too much because that can be frightening. But when we feel free to really share, our stories are stronger and can carry the weight needed to help others in their transformations. This comes from telling your story in your voice. Not a watered-down or over-edited way, but in a true-to-who-you-are version.

Knowing how to tell your story with clarity and confidence, whether you're writing a book, sharing experiences in your business, speaking on stage, or simply putting your life into words in a meaningful way, is very powerful.

The transition from Teaching Yourself to Learn to The Edit feels very natural to me. We will talk about how to share your stories in your voice, have real conversations, and begin to understand what purposeful editing really is, and we will still hear some amazing stories along the way.

Because the challenge isn't having a story; it's keeping your voice as you share it.

If you've ever over-edited, second-guessed your writing, or felt disconnected from your own words, this podcast will help you understand that rethinking the writing and editing process in a way that feels honest and aligned is doable and worth the effort.

The Edit is about shaping your story without losing yourself.

Because your story without your voice is only words.

The quote at the beginning of this episode is by Alan Watts, and it just felt like the words I needed to hear to be able to move forward with my podcast in a new way - a way that can help you, my listener, share your story in the way that only you can.

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review. A nice review on Apple Podcasts will help this show grow and reach more people.

I appreciate you!

Welcome to The Edit: Writing Your Book Without Losing Your Voice

In this trailer episode, I'm sharing what this podcast is really about—helping writers, entrepreneurs, and business owners shape their stories without editing out the very thing that makes them powerful: their voice.

If you've ever looked at your writing and thought, "This doesn't sound like me," you're in the right place.

Because your story without your voice is only words.

When we think about the stages of a rose from seed, to bud formation, to swelling and anthesis, until it finally wilts. Through each stage of the lifecycle it can be a slow and steady journey that can test the patience of even the most advanced gardeners. Today I want to share with you a beautiful story inspired by my grandson Noah. Listen in as I reflect and think about:

• The third half of life is a new stage of opportunity and strength.

• Admiration and taking in all senses of an experience, through the lens of a child and finding surprise meaning.

• Change within different stages of life.

• Learning how to tolerate uncertainty and find a new path for yourself.

• Creativity and inspiration for your path in life.

As always I encourage you to share your words and share your story. If you would like to apply to be a guest on the Podcast please fill out your contact information here.

To connect and find out more about the Teaching Yourself to Learn Podcast, apply to be a guest and share your story you can reach Holly at [email protected] or via the website www.teachingyourselftolearn.com.

This episode is made possible by the New Author Intensive. To find out more please visit www.teachingyourselftolearn.com and use coupon code NEWAUTHOR for $100 off when you sign up.

Because while everyone is not a writer, anyone can become an author.