Bring Your Story to Life

Your draft is the start of something powerful -
let’s shape it into a novel that moves readers and makes an impact!

The Problem:

You've gotten feedback and you're feeling completely overwhelmed. You've been tinkering away, but you don't know if the things you’ve been 'fixing' are actually the things that are wrong. You're worried you're making it worse, instead of better. Also known as the revision cycle of doom. Ever heard of revision hell? This is it.

Or maybe you aren't in revision hell. Maybe...

You have a message - something important about the world that you want the reader to walk away with, only you don't know how to get it onto the page in the way the reader will relate to.

Or it could be that...

You've started a draft with great intentions but the story has lost focus. It's out in left field somewhere, and you don't know how to get it back on track.

 

The Solution:

You need a plan and someone to help you carry it through.

As your book coach, I guide and support you through the process of taking a holistic look at your manuscript, teaching you how to assess the critical elements so we can see what's working and what isn't, and making a plan of action - a roadmap - for your revision.

Finally, I coach you through the rewrite as you make the needed changes on the pages themselves.

The bottom line? You don't have to figure it out all by yourself. I've got you!

Welcome!

My name is Juanita May, but you can call me Nita.

I'm a certified book coach who works with writers of character-driven fiction who want the guidance of a professional as they finish, revise, and polish their manuscripts.

My favorite writers are those who want to make an impact, and who believe, as I do, that stories are powerful tools for change.

It's my mission to guide and support you in writing a novel that’s true to your vision – that says what you want it to say.

Why?

Because stories are so much more than words written on a page, they’re powerful forces woven throughout all aspects of our lives.

Stories connect me to myself. They knit a connection between me and you. They weave a bridge between “us” and “them.” Stories are the threads that bind us all together.

We can write the world we want to live in! 

Revise your novel with confidence
Let's talk!

An engaging story can be a powerful tool for change

Revise your novel with confidence

Close your eyes and picture your novel as a house.

Take a mental tour through the inside of the house, imagining your prose as the pictures you've hung on the walls in the living room, the hallway, the bedrooms.

Now...what happens if the walls are crooked?

Exactly. Your pictures are going to be crooked, too.

Your house is going to feel wonky, and so is your book.

Skipping the critical stages of revision and going straight to line and copy editing means you haven't searched out and addressed those sometimes fatal flaws in your book’s foundation.

That means your readers won't be able to engage. And that means they're going to close the book without finishing.

It's a writer's worst nightmare.

By taking a holistic approach to the planning and revision process, I'll teach you how to make sure your point – your theme – your story’s aboutness is on the page, engaging the reader, and putting your message out there into the world.

Let’s get your story to work making a difference.

Let's talk!

What Professionally-Minded Writers Know:

The work of revision is where the magic happens, where your story idea is transformed from a collection of scenes and characters into a book that WORKS.

Reimagine and nurture your writing life

Your Transformation Starts Here

Write a Better Book

Whether you’re starting a manuscript from scratch or doing a revision, I fill the role of project manager as you write, helping you hone what it is you want to say, working with you to get your character arcs and story point aligned, keeping an eye on your outline as you write forward, and brainstorming with you on the issues that inevitably present themselves.

Become a Better Writer

Working with a Book coach is active learning, where your own manuscript is the workbook. Show-don't-tell? POV? Character-driven vs. plot-driven? Instead of trying to figure out what all those mind-bending writing rules and guidelines mean all by yourself, you'll be seeing them in action as you learn how they apply to your own pages as you write.

Write with Confidence

I don't think there's a writer alive who doesn't grapple with doubt demons and imposter syndrome at least some of the time. Part of my job as your coach is to be your cheerleader and partner in the writing process. Someone who'll celebrate your successes and who's got your back when the going gets tough.

You deserve the support you need to do your best work.

 Kind  Words from Clients

I'm thrilled with the suggestions she's made to make my writing, characters, and story stronger.

I met Nita by chance when we exchanged pages on the Women's Fiction Writers' Association website. Myself a long-time professional editor, I quickly realized I was in the hands of a naturally gifted editor by the type of feedback she was giving me. I immediately hired her to edit the rest of my book, and I'm thrilled with the suggestions she's made to make my writing, characters, and story stronger. I highly recommend Nita's editorial services.

Betsy Thorpe, author & editor

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Here's how we can work together!

Book Coaching

Long-term, on-going personalized feedback, guidance, and support on your manuscript pages as you write them, with follow-up video calls after each submission to talk it through. Stay accountable to your goals, raise the bar on your writing, and keep the doubt demons away.

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Clarity Session

A one-hour talk-only video call for those who think better out loud. Do you want to talk about a new story idea? Talk about your goals and brainstorm solutions? Could you use a coach's perspective on a sticking point in your plot? Book a clarity session whenever and as often as you need.

LEARN MORE

Assessments & Editing

Comprehensive assessment (developmental edit) of your first chapter, first 50 pages, or full  manuscript. Find out what's working and what needs attention. Comes with suggested next steps, a curated list of recommended resources, and a follow-up video call. Line editing also available.

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Subscribe to keep in touch!

Narrative Threads is the name of my newsletter & blog - a collection of personal essays, editorial tips, craft lessons, a bit of travel, books I'm reading, explorations of my own novel-writing process, fun and interesting things I’ve learned, and the occasional recipe (because even writers have to eat). For sure some knitting will happen, and most likely a bit of sewing, too.  And you’ll get to meet Samson, my senior editor.

Narrative Threads are letters written from me to you, because the writing life can be lonely. Let's keep each other company along the way, eh? Sign up - the kettle's on!

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