Joyce Shafer, Book Doctor
LEC
Free
Book Doctor Expert
Joyce Shafer, Book Doctor Quick Facts
- Main Areas
- Manuscript Evaluation, Substantive Editing, and Silent (Ghost) Rewriting/Editing, which includes converting plays and screenplays into novels.
- Career Focus
- Assisting new and indie authors with their books.
I am committed to assisting new and self-published authors to achieve confidence in their writing skills so they create the book(s) or short stories of their dreams—writings that interest readers, agents, and publishers.
If you’re looking for a proven editor who can guide you to create a reader-worthy manuscript, you’ve come to the right place. For two decades—while living in New York City and in my new location in Louisiana—I’ve worked with amazing clients with similar conce
s and guided them to success. My mission and commitment is to assist new and self-published authors to create manuscripts that fulfill their and readers’ expectations.
Clients say remarkable things about the impact my work has on their writing experience and its role in attaining their desired result: become a published or self-published author. Examples:
“Joyce was able to take my gibberish and convolution of uncoordinated words and transform the manuscript into a tight presentation that attracted three offers for publication.” ~ Jim Riley, LA
“Joyce, thank you for the work you have done on my memoir manuscript. I hadn't realized how much I needed you until I had done my part of the editing process based on your suggestions and guidance. Almost immediately, I tucked you under my wing to keep you close because you were consistently on target.” ~ P. McCloughlin, NYC
"Simply put: No Joyce, no book. Part editor, part coach, part teacher, Joyce was absolutely phenomenal throughout the entire editing process. Working with Joyce was like taking a graduate course in writing with your all time favorite teacher and you were the only student. I just can't say enough good things." ~ Eric Berbig, Author of The People's Will
Similar benefits await you when you decide to invite me to join your adventure as a writer and serve in the powerful ways that I can support your success.
I provide services for writers, with a focus on assisting new and indie authors. Services include Manuscript Evaluation, Substantive Editing, and Silent (Ghost) Rewriting/Editing, which includes converting plays and screenplays into novels. My clients say I'm part editor, part teacher, part coach. Details available at http://editmybookandmore.weebly.com/.
I've written a number of books/ebooks including: I Don’t Want to be Your Guru, but I Have Something to Say (considered by some to be the contemporary of the perennial Jonathan Livingston Seagull); Reinvent Yourself: Refuse to Settle for Less in Life and Business; and How to Have What You REALLY Want.
You Are More! EXTRA: Over 11,000 reads and yours free to give away to others! http://www.scribd.com/doc/23362264/Joyce-Shafer-You-Are-More
Free Articles & Book Excerpts
Common Mistakes New and Indie Writers Sometimes Make
http://newwritertips.blogspot.com/
Tips for Creating and Proofreading Your Manuscript Draft
http://newwritertips.blogspot.com/
How to Develop Strong Characters in Your Novel
http://newwritertips.blogspot.com/
The Importance of Plot in a Novel
http://newwritertips.blogspot.com/
The Importance of Setting in a Fiction or Nonfiction Book
http://newwritertips.blogspot.com/
Some Beneficial Tips for New Fiction Authors
http://newwritertips.blogspot.com/
Joyce Shafer, Book Doctor Books
I Don't Want to be Your Guru, but I Have Something to Say
http://www.lulu.com/content/773467
How to Have What You REALLY Want
http://www.lulu.com/content/796351
I Don't Want to be Your Guru, but I Have Something to Say (iProducts)
on http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/i-dont-want-to-be-your-guru/id443408484?mt=11
Law of Attraction Alchemy: Change Lead Thoughts into Gold
http://www.lulu.com/content/3567513
Reinvent Yourself: Refuse to Settle for Less in Life and Business - The eCourse
http://www.lulu.com/content/6058206
SPECIAL REPORT: How to Get Your Book Started: Plan Your Work Then Work Your Plan
http://editmybookandmore.weebly.com/
Amp Up Your Awareness: Reflections on the Go (Kindle)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057G2CIA/
WRITE, GET PUBLISHED, AND PROMOTE (FOR NEW WRITERS)
http://editmybookandmore.weebly.com/bookstore.html
How to Get an Agent for Your Book or Choose Self-Publishing Instead: Tips, Lists, and More
http://editmybookandmore.weebly.com/
Articles by this expert
SelfGrowth articles and saved writing connected to this expert.
Article
Out of the Kiln: Vessels of Hope by Wendi Romero
In the 75 poems that reflect on life transitions and moments of keen awareness, found in Out of the Kiln: Vessels of Hope, accomplished poet Wendi Romero writes so that words no longer remain on the page but merge with the “tissues and bones” of the reader. Romero captures texture and substance of a spiritually conscious or aware life — of a feeling life, and uses her skillful craft to richly embroider the imagery and meaning of each poem in this exquisite offering.
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Article
Does Your To-Do or Goals List Overwhelm You?
Lists are handy to help you stay organized. But, what if your list leads you into overwhelm instead of focus, achievement, and fulfillment? One of my newsletter readers emailed that he was not able to focus or move forward on any of his goals, and included a list of almost thirty items he’d written down for himself, and added there was more not included. He felt overwhelmed, and this left him stuck in place. I looked at the list and immediately saw why he felt this way.
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Article
Some Basics for New Writers
I love new writers. I really do (I was one, once upon a time). They are my favorite clients because they need the most assistance and guidance, and usually have tremendous enthusiasm about moving forward. They also don’t know what they don’t know. Some new writers have a fair understanding about what’s involved in writing (and publishing or self-publishing) their first book, but most don’t have a clue; they just know they want to write and/or have something to say or share.
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Article
The Basics of Good Storytelling
Whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, or a memoir you’re writing, a good story is deemed good when it is told well. There are things to keep in mind to assure this is your result. As a writer, do you understand the basics about storytelling? Shouldn’t you just write what you feel like writing? Maybe, maybe not. Story is what every fiction, non-fiction, and memoir is ultimately about. There’s much to say about story, but I’ll provide a few tidbits for now.rnï§ There are archetypal stories and stereotypical stories.r
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Article
Costs of Becoming a Writer
There’s a lot involved in becoming a self-published or traditionally published author, but there’s nothing like seeing your efforts in a paperback or hardback copy you hold in your hands. Your dream becomes your reality, and it’s a feeling of accomplishment you don’t soon forget. But it’s also a process that involves many steps, as well as costs that new writers need to be aware of.
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Article
Tips for Creating and Proofreading Your Manuscript Draft
Best-selling author James Michener said, “I’m not a very good writer, but I’m an excellent rewriter.” Many writers impede their progress and stifle their creativity by not doing two particular “somethings” while writing their first draft and once their draft is completed—and waste time and energy by not doing them. Writing the Draft
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Article
Proper Use of Abbreviations in Fiction and Nonfiction
To abbreviate or not to abbreviate—that is the question. In this day and age of texting, people are becoming adept at using abbreviations. However, this is not appropriate, for the most part, when writing fiction or nonfiction, unless your characters have dialogues that involve texting. You have to spell out the words. There is a lot more to know about abbreviations in creative and formal writing, of course, but here are several common occurrences writers are sometimes unfamiliar with or confused by.
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Article
How to Develop Strong Characters in Your Novel
People fall in love with novels because of the characters. This means it’s imperative for you to know how to develop them, and why.
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Article
The Importance of Plot in a Novel
What makes plot development work in a novel? There’s quite a lot to know about this, but here are some high-points. A strong novel writer causes readers to feel they experience a slice of someone else’s (one or more characters) “real” life. Even Science Fiction and Fantasy must accomplish this in their own ways. Readers want to relate to characters in novels, whether that’s just for one novel or in a series that involves the same main characters throughout. It’s up to you as a writer to create this for readers. You do this through plot and character development.
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Article
The Importance of Suspense in a Novel
What makes suspense work in a novel? There’s quite a lot to know about this, but here are some highlights.
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Article
Don’t Put the Cart before the Horse with Your Manuscript
A writer, especially a new writer, is understandably excited and eager to get his/her manuscript to an agent for consideration or self-published. But, it’s imperative you submit writing that shows an agent there’s reason to be interested in you as a promising writer, or make certain it’s ready to self-publish. As a writer, you are attached to your manuscript—your baby. I get that. As someone who provides services for writers, I get attached too . . . because I care deeply about assisting clients to have better experiences as writers, with their first and subsequent manuscripts.
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Article
The Importance of Setting in a Fiction or Nonfiction Book
Setting is where the story and each scene take place, which you know. But do you grasp that setting can set the tone and mood readers experience, and can reveal and or trigger characters’ moods? You want to give enough (not too much) description for each scene to set the appearance, atmosphere, and mood for readers so they are clear enough in their own minds about the general or specific image you intend for them to have. It may help to create a list or essay description for your scenes (like a character sketch) and keep these handy so you stay consistent throughout the scenes and story.
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Websites & resources
SelfGrowth-published websites, downloads, and contributor profile websites connected to this expert.
Favorite Quotes & Thoughts from Joyce Shafer, Book Doctor
New authors don't know what they don't know about the technical and creative principles of writing. Best-selling or otherwise successful authors work very hard to make writing look easy. ~ Joyce L. Shafer
“Books aren’t written—they’re rewritten. Including your own. It is one of the hardest things to accept, especially after the seventh rewrite hasn’t quite done it.” – Best-selling author Michael Crichton
"Mediocrity is self-imposed." ~ Walter Russell
“Often, the biggest difference between a published writer and an aspiring writer is their willingness to polish a manuscript before they submit…. Accepting the inevitability of revisions can free your creative muses.” – Authors Christie Craig and Faye Hughes
“First drafts are for learning what your novel or story is about. Revision is working with that knowledge to enlarge and enhance an idea, to reform it. D. H. Lawrence did seven or eight drafts of The Rainbow. The first draft of a book is the most uncertain—where you need guts, the ability to accept the imperfect until it is better. Revision is one of the true pleasures of writing.” –Be ard Malamud.
Contacting Joyce Shafer, Book Doctor
How to get started
Visit my Web site at http://editmybookandmore.weebly.com/ to read some client testimonials and check out my services to see which one best fits your needs at this time.
Other highlights