So, what's a book doctor do?
This brief course is a place where the book doctor meets the patient—that is, your manuscript. A doctor is someone a patient should trust. It can be daunting handing your babies over for an editor to dissect and evaluate. But my goal is to help you present your work to a publisher with a makeover that shines.
During your checkup, I will teach you the following:
--formatting
--how to hook your readers
--showing vs. telling
--passive voice
--how to properly use attributions
--characterization
--plot
--setting
--dialogue
--beats
--voice, etc.
--And, Sandi's favorite subject: alternative medicine (how to break the rules).
*Subjects and detailed work will depend on each individual's abilities and needs.
If you have questions about the craft, need to bounce a sentence or a few paragraphs off on me, feel free to do so during this workshop. I'll coach you along, but I won't do it for you. The idea is to help you learn to walk on your own. My ultimate goal is to help authors become better writers.
This brief course is a place where the book doctor meets the patient—that is, your manuscript. A doctor is someone a patient should trust. It can be daunting handing your babies over for an editor to dissect and evaluate. But my goal is to help you present your work to a publisher with a makeover that shines.
During your checkup, I will teach you the following:
--formatting
--how to hook your readers
--showing vs. telling
--passive voice
--how to properly use attributions
--characterization
--plot
--setting
--dialogue
--beats
--voice, etc.
--And, Sandi's favorite subject: alternative medicine (how to break the rules).
*Subjects and detailed work will depend on each individual's abilities and needs.
If you have questions about the craft, need to bounce a sentence or a few paragraphs off on me, feel free to do so during this workshop. I'll coach you along, but I won't do it for you. The idea is to help you learn to walk on your own. My ultimate goal is to help authors become better writers.
Workshop description:
This is an online one-on-one workshop. I will edit the first 1000 words of a work in progress. After the edits are made, the student will apply the changes and suggestions. If the student needs consultation, I will be happy to take phone calls and talk about your project and be there to answer questions. I will then take a second look at the same words/pages after the writer has applied what she/he has learned. In total, the writer will receive two detailed edits and a one-hour consultation if needed.
This is a great way to learn because the student can write what he or she wants to write, and you will get an edit on a story that you will likely wish to complete and send to publishers. So, not only will you learn the craft, the student will have the benefit of moving forward on his/her book.
Cost: $45.00
If you are interested in doing this workshop, contact me via my contact page above. I will be happy to answer your questions. Please state that you're interested in the Fiction Writing Workshop. When sending in your manuscript, please include your name and email address on your Word document, and please tell me the genre of the story (historical, contemporary, fantasy, women's fiction, etc).
This is a great way to learn because the student can write what he or she wants to write, and you will get an edit on a story that you will likely wish to complete and send to publishers. So, not only will you learn the craft, the student will have the benefit of moving forward on his/her book.
Cost: $45.00
If you are interested in doing this workshop, contact me via my contact page above. I will be happy to answer your questions. Please state that you're interested in the Fiction Writing Workshop. When sending in your manuscript, please include your name and email address on your Word document, and please tell me the genre of the story (historical, contemporary, fantasy, women's fiction, etc).
What others have to say about Sandi's "practice."
I had lost my voice.
My book was horrible because someone had edited out my voice. I was ready to give up and stop writing completely. But after a little searching, which meant going back to my original manuscript, Sandi found it! Without her help, I would still be voiceless.
At the ACFW conference in 2009, I had a paid critique with a multi-published author. She had critiqued my book before Sandi got a hold of it. When she read the new revised edition, she laid the papers down and said, "Now this is a book!"
Sandi is very good at helping writers. Her encouragement and instruction has meant so much to me.
Katt Anderson, author of Callie's Mountain
***
My first piece of writing was critiqued by Sandi Rog, and that was the beginning of my writing life. She introduced me to a world of writing I'd never known before. Sandi has encouraged me, advised me and taught me, all while giving thorough, concise and honest critiques of my work. I don't know where I'd be without her. ~ Karin A. Lovold, author of ...
Chicken Soup for the Girl's Soul
Chicken Soup for the Mother of Preschooler's Soul
A Cup of Comfort
Christian Romance:
What Love is This
Fantasy Trilogy:
Doorway to Deephollow (Book 1)
Doorway to Deephollow: Secrets Revealed (Book 2)
Doorway to Deephollow: The Missing Piece (Book 3)
***
Sandi Rog is a sensitive and perceptive editor. I appreciate her creativity, her sense of humor, and the way she has spurred me on to improve my writing in many ways. ~ Elma Schemenauer, author of 70 published books and editor of hundreds of others
***
Sandi Rog is a gem. She saw the promise hidden in the rough edges of my manuscript and helped me polish it until it shone. Not only did she point out what would make it better, she explained why. Through her meticulous patience and advice, I came out with a better story, but also I came out a better writer. She did such a good job that no one has mentioned finding a single mistake in my book! I highly recommend her editing services. ~Amy Anguish, author of An Unexpected Legacy
***
It's hard to find an editor who "gets it," someone who can help you say what you mean without letting their own agenda interfere. Sandi Rog gets it. She's helped me cut through the clutter and see past my own enthusiasm (or anxiety) so I can communicate my ideas. If you want your work to say what it should, Sandi will be a tremendous asset.
~ Stephen W. Simpson, Ph.D., freelance psychology and religion writer and co-author of What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew about Sex.
Also author of Assaulted by Joy: The Redemption of a Cynic.
***
I knew finding a good editor would be essential in pursuing my dreams of becoming a writer. Sandi not only corrected my manuscript, but she explained, encouraged, and taught me how to make it better. Her ability to constructively communicate, her insight, and commentary not only helped improve my writing skills, but motivated me to persevere.
Leesa Thompson
Of Noble Blood
***
"Sandi recently critiqued my first novel, By the Sword, and all I can say is that I wished I could have incorporated her edits and insights prior to publication!"
—Mike Yorkey, co-author of the "Every Man's Battle" series
***
Sandi, thank you so much for your help. I love having my own personal examples of "showing vs. telling". With what you've helped me with I can self-edit the rest of the manuscript because I'll know exactly what to look for. Thank you also for the formatting tips. They did help and now I know how to do it.
I appreciated all your positive comments about my writing. It's nice to hear from someone else besides family.
Sincerely, Anita Breitling
***
On Ghostwriting:
OMG, this is exactly what I envisioned. I don't just like the story, I'm in love with the story. It tells a wonderful, meaningful story on a child's level. The exact essence I wanted to capture. I'm so excited at the possibilities, tears are running down my face.
You are awesome, words cannot express what I felt reading the words and envisioning the characters and settings in my visual mind.
~Anonymous (Picture Book Text)
My book was horrible because someone had edited out my voice. I was ready to give up and stop writing completely. But after a little searching, which meant going back to my original manuscript, Sandi found it! Without her help, I would still be voiceless.
At the ACFW conference in 2009, I had a paid critique with a multi-published author. She had critiqued my book before Sandi got a hold of it. When she read the new revised edition, she laid the papers down and said, "Now this is a book!"
Sandi is very good at helping writers. Her encouragement and instruction has meant so much to me.
Katt Anderson, author of Callie's Mountain
***
My first piece of writing was critiqued by Sandi Rog, and that was the beginning of my writing life. She introduced me to a world of writing I'd never known before. Sandi has encouraged me, advised me and taught me, all while giving thorough, concise and honest critiques of my work. I don't know where I'd be without her. ~ Karin A. Lovold, author of ...
Chicken Soup for the Girl's Soul
Chicken Soup for the Mother of Preschooler's Soul
A Cup of Comfort
Christian Romance:
What Love is This
Fantasy Trilogy:
Doorway to Deephollow (Book 1)
Doorway to Deephollow: Secrets Revealed (Book 2)
Doorway to Deephollow: The Missing Piece (Book 3)
***
Sandi Rog is a sensitive and perceptive editor. I appreciate her creativity, her sense of humor, and the way she has spurred me on to improve my writing in many ways. ~ Elma Schemenauer, author of 70 published books and editor of hundreds of others
***
Sandi Rog is a gem. She saw the promise hidden in the rough edges of my manuscript and helped me polish it until it shone. Not only did she point out what would make it better, she explained why. Through her meticulous patience and advice, I came out with a better story, but also I came out a better writer. She did such a good job that no one has mentioned finding a single mistake in my book! I highly recommend her editing services. ~Amy Anguish, author of An Unexpected Legacy
***
It's hard to find an editor who "gets it," someone who can help you say what you mean without letting their own agenda interfere. Sandi Rog gets it. She's helped me cut through the clutter and see past my own enthusiasm (or anxiety) so I can communicate my ideas. If you want your work to say what it should, Sandi will be a tremendous asset.
~ Stephen W. Simpson, Ph.D., freelance psychology and religion writer and co-author of What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew about Sex.
Also author of Assaulted by Joy: The Redemption of a Cynic.
***
I knew finding a good editor would be essential in pursuing my dreams of becoming a writer. Sandi not only corrected my manuscript, but she explained, encouraged, and taught me how to make it better. Her ability to constructively communicate, her insight, and commentary not only helped improve my writing skills, but motivated me to persevere.
Leesa Thompson
Of Noble Blood
***
"Sandi recently critiqued my first novel, By the Sword, and all I can say is that I wished I could have incorporated her edits and insights prior to publication!"
—Mike Yorkey, co-author of the "Every Man's Battle" series
***
Sandi, thank you so much for your help. I love having my own personal examples of "showing vs. telling". With what you've helped me with I can self-edit the rest of the manuscript because I'll know exactly what to look for. Thank you also for the formatting tips. They did help and now I know how to do it.
I appreciated all your positive comments about my writing. It's nice to hear from someone else besides family.
Sincerely, Anita Breitling
***
On Ghostwriting:
OMG, this is exactly what I envisioned. I don't just like the story, I'm in love with the story. It tells a wonderful, meaningful story on a child's level. The exact essence I wanted to capture. I'm so excited at the possibilities, tears are running down my face.
You are awesome, words cannot express what I felt reading the words and envisioning the characters and settings in my visual mind.
~Anonymous (Picture Book Text)