Fiction Editing Services: Book Therapy!

check out MyBookTherapy, a daily blog on craft!

Who would a professional editor turn to for advice on plot and character development? Well, THIS professional editor knows no one better than Susan May Warren to consult! Susan has a sharp eye for story detail and characterization. Her insights will make your novel come to life, and her love of writing is contagious. I'd seriously consider any mystery proposal that Susan had a hand in developing. ~Susan Downs, Managing Editor, Heartsong Presents--MYSTERIES! Barbour Publishing

Can you make your characters come to life?
How do you fix a saggy plot?
What are your writing strengths, and how can you play to them?
What makes a scene sing with life?
How do you keep a reader hooked?  

Want to know how to craft an award-winning book? 

Susan May Warren’s Book Therapy will teach you how!

So, you’re writing a novel. You might be a little nervous that the plot doesn’t hold together, or that maybe an editor won’t love or understand your hero like you do. But underneath these little worries is a thrum of energy that drives you to the computer, or causes you to burst out in fragment sentences, and even wakes you in the middle of the night, groping for the light so you can scribble down your latest dream.

I know, because, I too am a writer. I know the angst and the joy of writing. I know how you pace your room, talking to yourself. I know how many chocolate chips you consume during chapters (they’re really good frozen).

I also know how a book works. How words flow together, or not, for best impact. And how to get your characters to talk as if they are in the room with you. Because I’m not just a writer…I’m a “book therapist.”

Yeah, I know “therapy” for books? But inside every book that refuses to come together, or struggles with sluggish pace, or even simply doesn’t pack enough plot punch is a deep-seated problem.

I am here to help you and your book root out and solve that problem.

What is Book Therapy?

In book therapy you walk through the elements of a book, learning one-on-one with someone who has crafted words (sometimes misbehaving words!) into successful stories and suffered through the process of bringing fiction to life. You’re going to get “tools” from book therapy, questions to ask yourself or your characters, exercises to help yourself grow as a writer and storyteller. You will walk away as your own book therapist, armed with the ability to talk a book off the ledge and onto the shelf.

Maybe your book seems to be flowing together just fine. It has a gripping plot, compelling characters, and a powerful epiphany. Yeah! But…would you like to be sure before you send it to an editor? Let’s take a look at your proposal together and carefully read your story from the book therapist perspective.

Because I think a synopsis and book chapters go hand in hand, I don’t separate them out when I do book therapy. I look at the entire proposal, from the ideas, the marketability and the story arc to the characters and pacing and even word craft. In short, a Susan May Warren Book Therapy session is comprehensive. I do deep “musculoskeletal” therapy for a whole book proposal.

Here’s what you receive in a Susan May Warren Book Therapy Session:

Why should I trust you?

Our team: Susan May Warren & Rachel Hauck!

I love to write. But I also love to help writers write. As an award-winning author of nearly twenty books, I’ve been an American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) BOTY (Book of the Year) and Genesis judge, a Romance Writer’s of America RITA judge, and an IRCC (Inspirational Reader’s Choice Contest) judge. I’ve also taught online classes, and conference workshops on all aspects of writing –from plotting to characters to dialogue to proposal writing to brainstorming.

Rachel Hauck is a multi-published author of romance and chick lit. Readers and reviewers agree Rachel writes tight prose and great characters. Setting, dialog and pacing are her strengths, as well as looking for a story's unique spiritual angle. Rachel also has a keen editorial eye for symbolism and underlying themes. Writing for over twenty years, Rachel has a BA in Journalism from Ohio State University. Rachel is also teaching the Chick Lit continuing education course at the 2007 American Christian Romance Writer's conference in Dallas.

Endorsements!

Susan May Warren is more than a friend. She truly has been a life saver or more aptly stated, a “plot-saver” for me over the seven years we’ve been critique partners. I have sung her praises more than once in casual conversations and interviews, but to have the chance to endorse this new business is truly my honor and I do so whole heartedly. Anyone and I do mean ANYONE willing to put the kind of work and detail into a manuscript that Susan puts into her own books, will take your writing to a new level that will surprise and delight you. Learning her secrets has been priceless for me. Do it! You won’t be disappointed. ~ Tracey Bateman, Author of over 30 Inspirational novels, www.traceybateman.com

Susan May Warren is an expert at understanding story, and communicating knowledge to others. More than once, she's walked me through a story problem, skillfully helping me fine tune my characters goals and motivation. I was literally stuck on how to start a new book idea, and Susie tossed out, "Start with three things the heroine doesn't like." Those three things became the beginning of Lost In NashVegas. I highly recommend her editing and therapy services.
~Rachel Hauck, multi-published author

Susan takes a difficult process and simplifies it in a way writers at any level will be able to comprehend. ~Sandra D. Moore, American Christian Fiction Writer's MidAtlantic Zone Director

Susan’s “everywoman” teaching style, takes the novice to experienced writer into a deeper understanding of their story. Her practical tools assisted me in working through a character problem I didn’t realize was there. The character now resonates with realism and gives more dimension to the whole story. Thanks, Susan!  ~Terri Gillespie, Member, American Christian Fiction Writers

Susan's teaching technique is fun and fresh! Her open and honest way of communicating writing skills is highly effective. Writers of all experience levels will benefit from her creative examples of characterization and plot." ~Betsy Ann St. Amant, Author

Susan Warren offers a practical method of teaching that really sticks in your head. I went to a writers conference and heard many well-known, published authors, but what Susan taught I brought home to my writing. ~Therese Stenzel, Member, American Christian Fiction Writers

Today, I learned more about writing than I thought possible!  Your insights taught me WHY.  I loved, loved, loved the suggestions you madeand the positive way you voiced them!  ~Lee from Florida

Rachel Hauck's solid advice on what wasn't working in my wip was  exactly what I needed to push over the bump I'd been stuck on, and move me  forward. ~Linda Mae Baldwin, author

Rachel delivers a strong edit based on her extensive knowledge of story  and flow. She offers suggestions to build a stronger storyworld and  characters, while showing how to keep the pace of the manuscript strong. If the  devil is in the details, then Rachel is your woman. ~Sandra Moore

Rachel Hauck has provided the best critique I've ever had. Her suggestions helped my storyline improve immeasurably and generated tremendous growth in me as a writer. ~Dina Nickerson

What’s this going to cost me?

“Sounds great, Suz, but I don’t have a grand to drop on my yet-to-be published work of fiction. Am I going to have to take on a part-time job to afford my dream? ”

Let’s take a look:

That’s it. No more. No less. And I promise that when we’re done, we will have worked out the kinks and set you on a path to success.

So, grab a cup of a coffee (no chocolate chips necessary) and let’s talk!

Susan May Warren Book Therapy Submission Guidelines

Email me at: info@mybooktherapy.com before sending anything. Tell me your story’s history, the genre, a brief plot overview, proposed word count and a sample paragraph. I will respond within 48 hours as to my availability and whether or not I can help you.

If we can work together, I’ll send you a contract and a short in-take questionnaire (yeah, I know, it sounds like forms in a doctor’s office, but remember BOOK THERAPY). When you fill those out, send them back to me with your synopsis and sample chapters attached (in separate MS Word files).

MS guidelines: Times New Roman, 12 pt, double spaced, 1 inch margins.

Need Advanced Book Therapy?

You’ve gone through book therapy and can answer deep questions about your manuscript regarding the conflict and plot. But you’ve backed yourself into a plotting corner, or still have questions as to how to craft a scene, or something isn’t quite clicking and you would like help from a book therapist you know and trust. Yes, I’ll be glad to help.

Book Therapy graduates can apply for additional consultation (Advanced Book Therapy) based on a specific story or craft question. Advanced Book Therapy is $55 per hour, and includes a one-hour phone conversation, after reading over your specific questions. Apply for Advanced Book Therapy per the Susan May Warren Book Therapy Submission Guidelines above. Upon approval, I’ll look at your manuscript pages and then talk with you over IM or telephone.

OR

Maybe you have your story structure down, and want to go deeper in scene, to know if your book is capturing the elements of great storytelling. Then, you may be interested in:

Chapter by Chapter Therapy

We'll take a look at all the elements of a great scene, and how your scenes fit together in a chapter. Things like:  Action Objectives, POV, secondary characters, themes and metaphors, 5 senses, dialogue, subtexting, hooks and story question. We'll also go line by line and offer suggestions to strengthen your writing. Again, it's not a line edit, but tools to help you grow, but we'll take your writing deep and you'll surface stronger, and with a chapter that resonantes. Chapter by Chapter Therapy is ONLY for Book Therapy graduates. Also, we will only commit to one chapter at time -- that way, you can apply your therapy before deciding if you'd like more. Chapter by Chapter Therapy is $70 - for a 3000 word chapter and a 30 minute conversation or online chat session. Apply for Chapter by Chapter Therapy per the Susan May Warren Book Therapy Submission Guidelines above.