Oohs and Aahs for 3.28.25
The questions I ask all my critique clients
During the revision stage, a lot of being a writer (and an editor!) is comparing my vision with what’s actually written on the page. I’m constantly asking myself “What am I trying to say?” and then looking to see if I am actually saying that. It’s not one and done. It’s something I return to over and over throughout the writing process.
I’ve been writing a long time, and I still ask my writing friends to read my work and let me know if I’m doing the thing I’m trying to do. It’s really hard to get the distance you need to see the gaps in your own work. That’s what manuscript critiques are for! When you reach out to book a manuscript critique, I try to learn more about your vision for the book. I usually ask:
Who is the target audience for this book?
What do you love about your book?
What are you concerned with?
What thoughts and feelings do you want to leave the reader with?
What books inspired you while you were writing this book?
Once I understand your vision, I read the manuscript and let you know if the words on the page reflect your vision. I also give you a plethora of ways you can get closer to your vision, because it’s not helpful to just identify the gaps. You have to know how to close them!
Heidi makes the editing process a breeze to understand, and she took the time and care to understand what I wanted to say. She didn’t just critique my manuscript, she infused my story with a deeper meaning. Working with her gave me the confidence to put my work out there. Next time I write, I’ll be thinking about how I can give my stories more heart, or maybe I’ll just hire Heidi again. Working with her was absolutely delightful!
—Critique client
Writing a book is way easier when you can get expert guidance and encouragement along the way. I specialize in picture books, chapter books, and nonfiction for kids, and I love working with writers at all different stages of the writing process. When you book a critique, you get:
Feedback on plot, character, structure, theme, voice, marketability
Clear editorial direction on next steps and prioritizing revisions
Competitor titles and mentor texts to guide your work, so you can deep your story with confidence and clarity
A cheerleader on your side for life
Feeling stuck? I would love to be of service!
Super Quick Survey
This Week I’m…
Talking with
about writing when life is chaotic including how I cope with the endless interruptions that come with being a mom and why I call myself an Artist with a capital A 🍌Reading this book about a mother who travels between universes to save her baby and I’m beyond impressed (I like to think this is exactly the kind of book I would write if I wrote novels.) 🤩
Cheering on Mama Nous on NPR! (You can read her Mothers Who Make interview here.) 🎵
Feeling inspired by the surprisingly multi-sensory nature of these ancient sculptures 👃
Loving this conversation between Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson about collaborating on a book and how working together made the writing process better ✏️
Riding the same AI rollercoaster every other writer is on (Oh hey, Meta stole your work? Me too.) 😵💫
Wondering if we should all just meow our stress out? 😹
Taking comfort in
’s honest look at why she shares her art 🎨Wishing I could just cross everything off my list and go to a cherry blossom festival (The people watching looks good too.) 🌸
Nebula Notebook is a place to meet kindred spirits, get inspired, and learn how to find ease and joy in the creative process—even when life is bananas. 🍌🍌🍌
✏️ PS—The fastest way to grow as a writer is to book a manuscript critique or a creative coaching session with an expert. My clients get agents, sell books, and win awards. They also learn how to enjoy the creative process, so they can keep going when life gets hard. 👏
