Services
Whoever your audience, whatever your purpose, my purpose is to make your story shine. Scroll to read about Words for Keeps' writing and editing services.
Memoir writing: getting the story down
Do you find it easier to tell your story rather than write it? If you don't yet have your story down on paper, consider working with a writer who can organise your narrative and wrangle your thoughts into words. Words for Keeps will listen to your story and, just as important, to the way you tell it. We'll help you capture not just the details of your story, but also your voice - the nuance of your storytelling.
Structural editing: sorting out the big picture
If you've written a partial or complete first draft, a structural edit will ensure that your story is organised in a way that works for your readers. Words for Keeps can identify gaps, repetition or inconsistencies and suggest solutions or, if you prefer, directly edit your text to fix these issues. When you've spent a while writing a story you know well, it can be hard to see what's missing or unclear. A structural edit brings a fresh pair of eyes to make sure your writing achieves your purpose and works for your audience.
Copyediting: adding clarity and style... and apostrophes
If you want your words and sentences to be tidied and polished, then it's copyediting you're after. This is what most people think of when they think about what editors do: checking grammar, punctuation, spelling. However, good copyediting is about much more than the technicalities of writing. It looks at the words and sentences you've used to express your ideas. Are they clear? Would other words or phrases add variety, colour and interest and give the text more impact? Words for Keeps will make sure your grammar passes muster while also adding fluency and style to your writing.
Proofreading: dotting the i's and crossing the t's
Are you about to send your story out into the world in print or online? Proofreading is a final check of your document. Are capital letters where they should be? Hyphens? Illustrations? Captions? Page numbers? This is where an eagle-eye for detail pays off. Words for Keeps can do a final pre-publication check to make sure no typographical gremlins creep into your masterpiece.
A bit of everything...
Many projects are in the 'all of the above' category. Part of your story may be written already but you have more that's yet to be put into words. Your text may need both big picture editing and fine tuning before it's ready for its readership. Words for Keeps can deliver a package of writing and editing services that will bring out the best in your story.