Everyone Has a Story Worth Telling
Everyone Has a Story Worth Telling
Owner, Editor, & Book Coach. My dream has always been to make a difference in this world and improve lives, even if it’s just by bringing a smile to someone’s face. Whether I spread it through my own writing or guide other writers to spread it through theirs, all that matters is we leave the …
Here is how I will help you develop and write a book worth reading.
I will guide, nurture, and challenge you to write a book worth reading. Working diligently through the following steps will give you a finished manuscript you can be proud of.
I will go through your story fundamentals with you - why you're writing this book, the plot, writing your jacket cover, genre, who is your ideal reader, plus much more.
I will help you define whose story this is, which character is telling this tale, where you should stop and start the story, sketch the plot, and more.
I will show you how to develop and write good scenes. Scenes that provide a narrative drive and propel the reader forward, paying special attention to the opening and closing scenes.
All your hard work has paid off. You did it! You reached your goal! Time to celebrate your accomplishment!
When I evaluate your manuscript, I let you know how your story is holding together on every level. I include a thorough summary of what’s working and what needs to be done to improve your story. This is a developmental evaluation and not an edit.
Not only will I evaluate your manuscript, but I will dive in and touch every page. I will look for plot holes, inconsistencies, where your narrative drive may be lacking, and much more. My in-line comments will point out where you’re hitting the mark, and where you need improvement. They will be honest and detailed but kind.
My coaching combined with your hard work will help make sure the fundamental elements of your story are in place. This means your story has an overall point, your scenes follow a cause-and-effect trajectory that creates a narrative drive propelling your readers forward, and they all start and end in the right places. Plus, so much more.
I’ll let you know how your story is holding together on every level, what is working, and what needs to be done to improve it. Are there plot holes or other inconsistencies? Does your story flow and propel your reader forward? This service includes not only a manuscript evaluation, but I’ll coach you through your revision and get you to the next draft.
With my help, you will develop and polish your query package. This means you end up with a strong query letter and synopsis that accurately represents your manuscript. You also can feel good about sending out very clear and solid pages of your first chapter to agents.
Book coaching is more than developmental editing. It’s like having a personal trainer, cheerleader, project manager, or coach but for your writing life. In this crazy fast world, editors in the publishing industry rarely have time to mentor or nurture writers through the writing process. That’s where I come in.
Clients I have been privileged to serve.
Lori was immensely helpful in getting me motivated in writing my latest story!
Even though it was my sixth book, I still found her process helpful. Lori's coaching gave my story direction, focus, and I was diving into the first draft sooner than in my previous books. Thank you!
Lori is a writing Fairy Godmother. If you’re looking for some magic that will bring your book to the next level, she’s your woman. She cares deeply about the success of your work, combing through each sentence with expertise and loving attention to detail. Her character insight added much-needed emotional depth to my novel. In her detailed evaluation she covered many areas, pinpointing craft blind spots I am sure will pay dividends in my writing practice for years to come. She exceeded my expectations and I can’t say enough about her professionalism, encouragement, and feedback!
Lori Yares is one of the nicest people I've ever met -- just what a nervous author might need when bringing their fledgling book in for help. She's also got a sharp eye for questions that need asking, and a gentle but insistent way of asking a writer to dig deeper.
Lori was phenomenal! Completing her Build Your Foundation highlighted inconsistencies and weaknesses in my manuscript. I thought I knew this story well until I completed that assignment. What I learned from Lori will help me develop a better manuscript, more balanced, with more complete character development. Lori knows this is your story. She doesn't write your story, but she shines a light on the big picture AND the details so that you see your story in a more complete fashion. This was a worthwhile and inspirational experience. I highly recommend her.
Lori is such a great coach… enthusiastic and gentle, yet firm and professional. We worked back and forth several times and at the end of my edits, I truly felt I had something polished and ready to send off, as well as something to be very proud of. As artists, it’s not always easy to share our work with others, especially for feedback, but with Lori I felt I was in very capable hands and the feedback was authentic, constructive, and encouraging.
