My Approach
Every writer’s process is different. But one thing that they all share is that no work of genius is produced overnight. Drafts are hard-won battles – ideally, fun, satisfying battles (maybe more akin to solving a puzzle than being in a war), but they require time, patience, and work.
But hard work is never the problem - it’s not knowing what to focus on. That’s when writing becomes a slog: when writers get lost in the weeds and are tempted to give up or move on to a shiny new project.
That’s what I’m here for.
I’ve spent nearly a decade working with clients, plunging myself headlong into the mechanics of a great crime story, untangling magic systems and worldbuilding, and using story structure to make it all work, guiding ambitious genre-lovers in crafting a masterful experience of their own.
- If you are bursting with stories but can’t quite seem to translate them onto the page, I’m here to help.
- If you have a finished draft but it’s not quite there, this is my jam.
- If you’ve written and published a few books, but want to create a more thrilling experience for your readers, we’ll review your past catalogue and get you creating fresh works that will blow them out of the water.
Your stories should feel like works you can take pride in, having given yourself fully to each one. So send me a message, ready your pen, and let’s get started!
Not sure what’s next for your manuscript?
You did it! You actually sat down and wrote your story and are ready for revisions. Only, you’re not quite sure where to start.
​
This is where a diagnostic comes in.
​
A diagnostic will give you an expert’s overview to get your story ready for pitching or publishing. This is not just sending you a pile of notes. These are tactical instructions to help you achieve the story you set out to write.
Joanna Marsh
Author of Cantique and La Follia
"I loved working with Rachel! She read my manuscript closely and discussed it with me in great detail, providing specific suggestions that elevated my story. She is thorough, insightful, and very encouraging. It's obvious that she has a true passion for storytelling and wants to help her clients succeed. I look forward to working with her again in the future."
Having trouble finishing your story?
Not every story is 'developmental editor ready,' but that doesn't mean you should spend the next 5 years in circles when there are many more to write. ​The Academy exists to help writers like yourself get over the hurdles that keep you from writing all the stories you're meant to tell.
​
​Taking my near decade of experience, I'll walk you through the ins and outs of the full writing process: from ideation to final revision. By the end, you'll have a firm grasp of what it takes to write a novel so you can write several.
Elizabeth Bartasius
Story Grid Certified Editor,
author of The Elegant Out
"I brought Rachel on to consult on a number of client book projects. Rachel is insightful, intuitive, clear, eloquent, and gentle-but-firm in her assessment of manuscripts. Not to mention, she is a master at story structure and construction. A brilliant developmental editor, she’s an absolute joy to work with."
C.J. Lucas
Author
"Working with Rachel elevated my writing which enabled me to write a better story. As a new writer in the fantasy genre, I was quite aware of mistakes I was making, i.e., something felt off, you know the things your friends say when they read your manuscript and promise to be helpful, "I don't know, it just feels off to me." And since I was no better at articulating the why of why it felt off, I did what any sane writer would do ... I reached out to Rachel. World building is no easy task, and if not done properly you can easily overwhelm your reader and yourself included (trust me!). Rachel did not only point out the why, but she also gave me specific tips and suggestions on how to tackle it—piece by piece—and how to thread it through an entire story to get that mic drop effect at the end that we always dream of (apparently I was dropping an anvil). The results were immediate! Through the darkness, a better story came to light. One thing we know as writers is that rewriting can be a daunting task, but Rachel eases that process entirely. She saved me from months of wandering Middle-earth, not realizing I was heading straight to Mordor, with no ring. And for that, I am ever grateful."
Receive the Story Cipher Dispatch
Decoding the intricacies of storytelling.
I'm always thinking about ways I can help my writers tell masterful stories that will leave their readers begging for more. Being a developmental editor, I have to keep in mind the writer, the reader, and the novel itself. The Story Cipher Dispatch is where I weave those threads together by encouraging writers in the writing process, analyzing a well crafted story structure, and translating those moments into tactical skills you can use to create a satisfying thrill ride for your readers.
​
You'll get access to a developmental editor's brain from your inbox with micro lessons and sneak peaks into the very instructions I give to my writers. If you want ongoing development in your knowledge of the craft then come join the club! Subscribe to the Story Cipher Dispatch!